If your cast iron frying pan has lost its seasoning, or if it’s brand new and hasn’t been seasoned yet, here’s how to reseason it. First, wash the pan with hot, soapy water and a stiff brush. If there’s any rust on the pan, remove it with steel wool or sandpaper.
Rinse the pan well and dry it completely.
- If your pan is rusty, then you will need to reseason it
- This is a process of essentially baking oil into the pores of the metal so that food doesn’t stick and rust doesn’t form
- To reseason a cast iron frying pan, start by washing it with warm water and soap
- Use a stiff brush to remove any rust spots
- Rinse the pan well and dry it completely with a clean towel
- Next, coat the inside of the pan with vegetable oil or shortening using a paper towel or pastry brush
- Place the pan upside down on an oven-safe wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for 1 hour
- ” Allow the pan to cool completely before using it again
How to Season a Rusty Cast Iron Skillet
If you’ve ever cooked with a cast iron skillet, you know that they’re incredible. They hold heat well and can be used on any cooking surface. Plus, they develop a natural non-stick coating the more you use them.
But if you’ve inherited an old cast iron skillet that’s been sitting in storage for years, it’s likely to be covered in rust. Don’t worry, though! With a little elbow grease and some patience, you can season your rusty cast iron skillet and get it back to working order.
Here’s what you’ll need:-Rusty cast iron skillet-Degreaser (like dish soap or Simple Green)
-Stiff brush (like a wire brush or steel wool)-Paper towels or rags-Oven cleaner (optional)
+High heat cooking oil (like vegetable oil or shortening)1. Start by giving your skillet a good cleaning. If there’s any food build-up on it, degrease it with dish soap and hot water.
If the rust is really bad, you may want to use oven cleaner to help loosen it up. Just be sure to wear gloves and do this step outside since oven cleaner is pretty toxic.2. Once the worst of the grime is gone, use a stiff brush to scrub off the remaining rust spots.
You may have to put some elbow grease into it, but don’t worry – they’ll eventually come off!3. Dry your skillet thoroughly with paper towels or rags; then place it upside down on the top rack of your oven and turn the oven to its self-cleaning cycle*. This will help burn off any residual oils or cleaners that might be left on the pan before you start seasoning it.
How to Season Cast Iron Without Oven
If you’re like me, you love the taste of food cooked in a cast iron skillet. But if you’re also like me, you don’t always have the time (or the inclination) to heat up your oven to season your skillet. Here’s how to season your cast iron without using an oven:
1. Place your cast iron skillet on the stove over low heat.2. Add a thin layer of cooking oil to the skillet and let it heat for a few minutes.3. Use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe away any excess oil from the surface of the skillet.
4. Turn off the stove and allow the skillet to cool completely before storing it away.
Can You Use Olive Oil to Season Cast Iron
If you’re a fan of cooking with cast iron, you may be wondering if you can use olive oil to season your pan. After all, olive oil is a healthy cooking option and it seems like it would work well for seasoning.Unfortunately, olive oil isn’t the best choice for seasoning cast iron.
It has a lower smoke point than other oils, which means it can start to smoke and break down at lower temperatures. This can cause your pan to become sticky or gummy, making it harder to cook with.So what’s the best oil to use for seasoning cast iron?
We recommend using vegetable oil or shortening. These oils have higher smoke points and will create a durable non-stick surface on your pan that will make cooking a breeze.
How to Season Cast Iron on Stove
If you’re new to cooking with cast iron, you might be wondering how to season it. The good news is that seasoning your cast iron skillet is easy to do! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to season cast iron on the stove:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.2. Rub vegetable oil all over the surface of the pan, making sure to cover every nook and cranny.3. Place the pan upside down on the top rack of the oven and bake for 1 hour.
4. Turn off the oven and let the pan cool completely before using it or storing it away.Now that you know how to season cast iron, put it to good use by trying out some recipes! Cast iron skillets are great for cooking up hearty breakfasts, one-pot dinners, and even desserts likeskillet cookies or peach cobbler.
What Temperature to Season Cast Iron
If you’re like most people, you probably think that cast iron cookware needs to be seasoned at a very high temperature. After all, isn’t that what all the instructions say? Season at a temperature of 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour.
Wrong! It is actually best to season your cast iron cookware at a lower temperature. Why?
Because if you season at too high of a temperature, the oil can start to smoke and create harmful chemicals. Not only that, but it can also cause the seasoning to become uneven or even flake off.The ideal temperature to season your cast iron cookware is between 200-300 degrees Fahrenheit.
This may seem low, but trust me, it works! Just heat up your oven to this temperature and then place your pan upside down on the top rack. Let it bake for 1-2 hours and voila – you’ve got a perfectly seasoned piece of cookware!

Credit: www.freshoffthegrid.com
How Do I Reseason a Cast Iron Skillet?
If your cast iron skillet is starting to look a bit worse for wear, it might be time to reseason it. This process will help to restore the non-stick surface of the pan and make it look like new again. Here’s how to do it:
1. Start by giving your skillet a good scrub with warm, soapy water and a stiff brush. This will remove any built-up grease or food residue.2. Rinse the pan well and dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel.
3. Next, apply a thin layer of cooking oil all over the inside surface of the pan, using a pastry brush or clean cloth.4. Place the skillet upside down on the top rack of your oven and set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the pan to heat in the oven for about an hour, then turn off the oven and let it cool completely before removing from inside.
What is the Fastest Way to Reseason a Cast Iron Skillet?
If you’re looking to reseason your cast iron skillet in a hurry, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process. First, if you have access to a self-clean cycle on your oven, you can use that to help burn off any residue from the previous seasoning. Just be sure to oil the skillet well before putting it in the oven.
Another option is to heat the skillet on the stovetop over high heat until it’s smoking hot, then rub it all over with vegetable oil or shortening. This should create a nice even coating that will help protect against rust and stickiness. Let the skillet cool completely before using it again.
How Do I Recondition an Old Cast Iron Pan?
If you’re lucky enough to inherit an old cast iron pan (or find one at a garage sale), there are a few things you need to do before you can start cooking with it. Here’s how to recondition an old cast iron pan so it’s as good as new.The first step is to clean the pan.
If it’s really dirty, you might need to scrub it with a stiff brush and some soap. Otherwise, just rinse it off with hot water. Next, dry the pan thoroughly – if there’s any moisture left on it, the seasoning process won’t work properly.
Now it’s time to season the pan. This creates a protective layer that prevents rusting and makes the surface non-stick. To season your pan, heat it up in the oven for about 30 minutes, then rub some oil into the surface using a paper towel or cloth.
Be sure to use a vegetable oil or something similar – never use olive oil, as this will go rancid over time.Once your pan is seasoned, you’re ready to start cooking! Just remember to never use soap on a cast iron pan – simply rinse it off with hot water and dry thoroughly after each use.
What’S the Best Oil to Reseason Cast Iron?
If you’re looking to reseason your cast iron, the best oil to use is flaxseed oil. This oil is known for its ability to create a non-stick surface and also provides a high level of protection against rust. When using flaxseed oil, be sure to heat the pan until it’s smoking before adding the oil.
Then, use a paper towel or cloth to evenly coat the entire surface of the pan. Allow the pan to cool completely before using it again.
Conclusion
If your cast iron frying pan is beginning to stick or look a little worse for wear, it may be time to reseason it. Luckily, this process is easy and only takes a few steps. First, wash the pan with warm water and soap.
Next, coat the pan in vegetable oil or melted lard and place it upside down on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake the pan in a 300 degree oven for one hour. Once the hour is up, turn off the oven but leave the pan inside to cool completely.
When it’s cooled, your cast iron frying pan will be as good as new!

I’m Asma Sheikh, a home cook and recipe developer with a passion for all things food. On my blog (The Kitchen Advisor), you’ll find everything from healthy weeknight dinners to decadent desserts, and everything in between. So whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just getting started in the kitchen, I hope you’ll find something here that inspires you to get cooking!