How to Use Cast Iron Skillet First Time

Cast iron skillets are one of the most popular pieces of cookware around. They’re durable, versatile, and impart a delicious flavor to whatever you cook in them. But cooking with cast iron may seem daunting if you’ve never used one before. 

You’ve just bought a cast iron skillet, and you’re wondering how to use it for the first time. Cast iron skillets are great for cooking, as they heat evenly and retain heat well. Plus, they’re durable and easy to clean – perfect for any beginner cook.

The durability and longevity of a cast iron pan are unparalleled. They will last you for decades with proper care, making it one investment that pays off in spades! For newbies who don’t know how to season their pans properly, this guide tells everything you need to do next time, so your cookware lasts just as long or longer than anything else on the market today.

The best way to care for your cast iron pan is by giving it a good seasoning. This will help protect against rust, allow lasting generations, and naturally create that smooth layer on top due to modern Teflon-coated nonstick! Don’t be intimidated if this is your first time using one – we have everything covered here, so you know what steps need to be taken when preparing food or how often they should get cleaned out (if at all).

You’ll be surprised that the more you use your cast iron, the better it gets! It’s like a muscle; if they are worked often enough, their performance only improves with time. If however-you exercise these hard-earned rights -only using them for cooking without seasoning. Firstly food will stick rather than crisp up nicely due to an absence of quality surface area contact needed when searing meat or vegetables quickly on high heat before adding other ingredients such as oil/butter.

Cast iron skillets are a great addition to any kitchen because they can be used for many different things. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the basics of using a cast iron skillet so that you can start cooking like a pro. Keep reading for tips on how to season your skillet, cook with it, and clean it. Let’s get started!

See more: What Cookware Do Professional Chefs Use?

What is a Cast Iron Skillet?

A cast iron skillet is a type of cooking pan that is made from cast iron. It is usually round and has a flat bottom, so it can be placed directly on a stovetop burner. Cast iron skillets are known for their durability and heat distribution, making them ideal for cooking at high temperatures.

Cast iron skillets can be used for various tasks, including frying, baking, broiling, and more. When properly seasoned, a cast iron skillet will develop a naturally nonstick surface ideal for cooking foods like eggs and pancakes.

How to Use Cast Iron Skillet First Time

If you’re a first-time user of a cast iron skillet, you should know a few things to get the best results. First, be sure to season your pan before using it. Seasoning is important because it helps to create a nonstick surface and prevents rust.

Besides, if you want to achieve an even cook, it is best to preheat the pan before adding oil. Place the skillet on the stove over low heat and add a thin layer of oil to the pan’s surface. You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any other type of cooking oil. Use a paper towel or cloth to spread the oil evenly over the pan’s surface. Next, increase the heat to medium and let the pan heat for several minutes. This will help to further season the surface of the pan. Finally, turn off the heat and allow the pan to cool completely before storing it away.

When ready to use your skillet again, repeat the seasoning process.

See more: What is Enameled Cast Iron?

What Is Seasoning?

This isn’t about using enough salt here. As the name suggests, seasoning means to coat or cover with something; in this case, fat and seasonings like herbs for some extra flair can be added before cooking on your own cast iron skillet at home!

The hard, protective coating on cast iron is called “seasoning.” It’s created by heating incredibly thin layers of fat to create a polymeric plastic that bonds inside and out as it converts from oil-based food items like frying eggs or deep-fried chicken wings. After enough time spent cooking in this durable material with nonstick properties – which also makes them great for searing meat off your stovetop–you’ll have one heckuva tough exterior but still maintain stability during use!

All you need are oils such as olive oil, which will provide an excellent base alongside other ingredients depending on what dish they’re going into, whether it’s the salad dressing vegetables thrown directly onto them without much else mixed through just yet, maybe even some chicken marinade before baking. 

The key is not to use too much as it’ll only smoke up the kitchen when heated and cause a fire hazard, nobody wants that, now do they? Seasoning your skillet is important because it helps to create a nonstick surface and prevents rust. 

Cast iron skillets are wonderful for cooking, but they need some care and attention to keep them in good condition. To start with, a well-seasoned pan from the beginning will ensure that you don’t end up like my friend who has been trying different ways of cleaning his cast iron skillet after every meal because it keeps failing him!

The best thing about these pans is if their surface gets dirty while using, then just wipe down using olive oil or vegetable ghee instead wiping everything off completely before washing – this way, there’s no risk at all when rinsing out food bits stuck on your dish since water won’t stick properly onto an unprotected material.

Seasoning Starts With a Clean Skillet

Seasoning starts with a clean skillet. Whether making fried rice or scrambling eggs, it’s important to start by cleaning your pan in hot water and drying thoroughly after use. If there are burned bits stuck on from previous meals (or even just cooked foods), scrubbing them away using dish soap will be helpful before rinsing out the old residue so that nothing retains its flavor but also doesn’t leave behind harmful chemicals which can lead towards corrosion buildup when used over time. Once the skillet is clean, it’s time to start seasoning!

Season a Cast Iron Skillet With Oil

The difference between different oils when it comes to cast iron is what they’re used for and their smoke points. Canola has the highest at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. At the same time, olive oil starts smoking around 325-375° F, which means that if you want an even smoother finish on your new pots and pans, then try using some of this cholesterol-free liquid gold as opposed to other more volatile liquids such traders might use in cooking without worrying about burning foods or giving off harmful substances into our air space.

Start by coating the entire surface of the pan with a thin layer of oil. Then, you can use a paper towel or even your hands to rub it in, just make sure that the entire surface is covered.

Once the skillet is coated, place it in an oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit oven and let it bake for about an hour. This will allow the oil to polymerize, forming a protective barrier on the pan’s surface. After an hour, turn off the oven and let the pan cool inside until it’s safe to handle. Once it’s cooled, you can wipe away any excess oil, and your skillet will be ready to use!

Protect the Seasoning

Care for your cast iron skillet by hand to protect the seasoning. Do not use harsh detergents, soap, or abrasives on it because this can damage its finish and cause rusting quickly in a damp environment – so if you get water inside, just wipe off all surfaces immediately before storing away again! Avoid cooking food with high acid substances such as tomatoes which break down hard-earned coating, deeply rewarding long-term enjoyment. With proper care, your cast iron skillet will last for generations!

How to Season Your Cast Iron Skillet

The science of cooking is a fascinating study in chemistry. For example, when a cast iron skillet becomes heated, polymers form that bond with its surface and give it an amazing glaze – but this isn’t just any old coating; The seasoning protects your pan from rust while also preventing foods from sticking to its exterior!

As you cook food on these pans over time, tiny pits will fill up every little crevice, making them perfect for nonstick cooking surfaces without being too fatty or oily like some plastic counterparts can get after long use.

The first way to build up that coveted seasoning on your cast iron skillet is by cooking with it regularly. With regular use, you’ll find yourself getting the most out of every pan because its surface will have been seasoned for many years! The second option involves baking in an oven heated at high temperatures, so be sure not only to turn down any gas burners but also to cover dishes while taking these steps since reopen them after about 10 minutes.

The time has come for you to invest in a nice cast iron skillet. The best thing about them is how long they last, and with proper care, your new pan will almost always come pre-seasoned from the factory – but just like any other piece of cookware if need be!

To add more layers themselves, our guide on restoring old-fashioned seasoning includes instructions on stripping away rust or cleaning up spills without harming surfaces too much (although we recommend using soap instead). Once done layering up against these traditional materials ̶, make sure not to forget that hot oil tests are crucial when checking if surfaces are seasoned before using them.

Wash and Dry Your Pan

Although not many people think of cast iron skillets when they hear the words “skillet” and “seasoning,” these handy tools can be a few key pieces in your kitchen tool collection. They’re great for stovetop cooking, but many homeowners may not know how important it is to wash them before seasonings or oil go onto their surface!

As a first-time user of cast iron skillets, it’s hard to say exactly what happened between when your pan came off an industrial production line and when you got them in your kitchen. But one thing is certain: You must wash before the season! So give ’em all those dirty parts with warm soapy water, then dry thoroughly; even after towel drying, some surface moisture may remain, which can ruin any seasoned coating on these pans. If that doesn’t work – put em’ onto stovetop flame briefly (just 1 minute) or heat in an oven at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes should do the trick.

Once you’ve got a nice clean surface to work with, it’s time to season your cast iron skillet!

Rub It All Over With Oil and Buff Well

Now that your pan is clean and dry rub it all over with cooking oil! We’re fans of unsaturated fats like vegetable or canola oils for seasoning our pans. Not only do they always have them on hand, but these are easier to spread than saturated ones such as shortening or lard.

You don’t need any special oils – just have some vegetable/canola mixture at home already; there’s no point buying anything else when we’ve got what works perfectly well right here waiting for us! Some people suggest using flaxseed oil when seasoning new pans – we found that this produces an impressive layer quickly, but it flakes off during cooking sessions as well, so be sure not to use too much!

Season new cast iron skillets by rubbing the oil all over them. Then, buff it so thoroughly that no part of your pan looks even slightly greasy before using! Even a small amount can pool during seasoning and form little hardened droplets on its surface or become sticky if left unused for awhile-so don’t let this happen!

Heat It in the Oven

When you season new cast iron skillets, put the oiled pan in a preheated 450°F oven for 30 minutes. It may get smoky, so keep your kitchen well ventilated and open doors/windows when needed! That’s where Polymerization will start – this process coats each piece with multiple hard layers that form quickly over time, polymerizing onto its surface, making them resistant to rusting again.

To season new cast iron skillets, heat them in the oven. We’re using this method because it provides even heating that will more effectively set oil all over the pan; even your best stovetop burners may produce hot and cool spots, which can lead to uneven initial seasoning (which isn’t good).

The best way to eliminate excess oil is by turning the pan upside down and putting a baking sheet or foil underneath. If you’ve been working hard to remove all pesky stains, then this additional step will ensure no more pooling in your beautiful cookware!

This method also works perfectly on aluminum pots or pans, giving them an extra protective layer while still allowing moisture evaporation which helps maintain flavor during cooking! If you don’t have an oven, heat the pan on your stovetop until it’s smoking before adding oil. This should take about 10 minutes. Then proceed to follow the same steps as above.

Repeat 3 to 4 Times

When it’s time to season your new cast iron skillet, be sure not to let go of the pan for even one second! After 30 minutes in an oven heated, take out and rub once more all over with olive oil before returning to heat. Then continue this process three or four times total- letting each heating/passing-through do its job until you have seasoned enough so that no additional layers are needed; just enjoy cooking meal after delicious course onto these now beautifully browned surfaces – they’ll reward every momentary lapse in concentration with years of happy use!

Season it first if you’re using your skillet for the first time. Seasoning is key to keeping your cast iron skillet in good shape and preventing rust. Seasoning is simply the process of coating the pan with oil and heating it, so the oil polymerizes and forms a protective layer. The more you season your pan, the better it will perform.

There’s a common misconception that cast iron is difficult to care for and high maintenance, but it doesn’t have to be! All you need from here on out are some simple steps: use your pan each time with any type of fat or oil (this includes butter), which will lay down another layer towards preserving its quality; then store them away when not in use, so they don’t rust too quickly.

Once there’s a good layer on top, even acidic foods like tomatoes or sauces will taste just as delicious in this durable material as other types of cookware because its non-reactive exterior has already been seasoned properly.

Care and Cleaning of Your Cast Iron Skillet

Cast iron pans are wonderful tools in the kitchen, but they can be tricky to take care of. First and foremost, never put a cast iron skillet into your dishwasher; you’ll have huge rust problems on hand! To maintain them properly, though, it’s important not only that all surfaces stay dry at the time of cooking (covered with oil) after each use but also to make sure there are no detergents or soap involved when washing up as this will cause sticky residue which leads towards poor food release. 

When you’re done cooking, clean up by rinsing the pan with warm water and using either a brush or scraper to remove stuck-on bits. If there’s enough fat left over from cooking that pot of yummy goodness in your kitchen this morning, then cleaning will be easy; just give it another rinse after scrubbing away at stubborn residue if necessary! 

You can also use gentle brushes made specifically for scraping out burnt-on food particles when they’ve become too deep traps over time without even realizing how much damage had been caused until finally giving way under pressure – no one’s perfect! Finally, if your skillet is particularly dirty, you can use a little bit of coarse salt to help scour it clean. Just be sure to rinse away all of the salt before proceeding with the next steps. 

Pour a few tablespoons of canola oil and kosher salt into the pan for really stuck-on food. Scrub with this mixture until it comes clean before rinsing any residue away from your cutlery, so you don’t scratch them!

Once your skillet is clean, dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel. Then, place it on the stove over low heat and add a thin layer of oil to the pan’s surface. You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, or any other type of cooking oil. Use a paper towel or cloth to spread the oil evenly over the pan’s surface. Next, increase the heat to medium and let the pan heat for several minutes. This will help to further season the surface of the pan. Finally, turn off the heat and allow the pan to cool completely before storing it away. 

When ready to use your skillet again, repeat the seasoning process. Seasoning your cast iron skillet is important because it helps to create a nonstick surface and prevents rust.

If your cast iron skillet is starting to rust, don’t despair! Rust is easy to remove with a little elbow grease and some patience. First, scrub the rusty spot with a stiff brush to remove any loose rust. If the rust is stubborn, you can use a steel wool pad or sandpaper to remove it. Once the rust is gone, wash and dry the pan as usual. If the rust has removed some of the seasonings, you may need to season the pan again.

If your cast iron skillet is cracked or chipped, it’s time to retire it. A cracked or chipped pan can cause serious injuries and is nearly impossible to repair. Play it safe and invest in a new pan.

With a little care and attention, your cast iron skillet will last many years. Season it regularly, and dry it thoroughly after each use to prevent rusting. With proper care, your cast iron skillet will be a kitchen staple for years to come!

The best way to keep your cast iron pan in good condition is by washing it before use and then coating it with a thin layer of oil. You should also ensure that any excess moisture doesn’t pool on the surface because this can cause rust buildup or other damage from sitting around! Once you get through all these steps, cooking will be effortless—store them until needed again, so they stay nice and clean.

FAQs

What Should Do or Not Do When Cooking with Cast Iron Skillet?

The dos:

-Use cast iron for cooking at high heat. The skillet will distribute heat evenly and won’t cool down as quickly as other materials when taken off the stove. This is ideal for searing meat or frying chicken.

-Season your skillet before use. This creates a naturally nonstick surface and prevents rusting.

-Maintain the seasoning by washing your skillet with hot water (no soap) and drying it immediately after use. You can also rub it down with a little oil to keep the seasoning in good condition.

-Use wooden or silicone utensils when cooking. Metal utensils can scratch the surface of the pan and ruin the seasoning.

Finally, -Cook with oil or fat to create an even sear or fry. This also helps to maintain the seasoning on the skillet.

The don’ts:

-Use cast iron on induction cooktops. The magnetic field created by the stove can damage the pan.

-Put cold water on a hot pan. This can cause it to warp or crack. Allow the pan to cool down before washing it.

-Soak your cast iron skillet in water. This will rust the pan and ruin the seasoning.

-Use soap to wash your cast iron skillet. This will remove the seasoning and make the pan more likely to rust. If you must wash it with soap, be sure to re-season it afterward.

-Store your cast iron skillet in a damp place. This will cause it to rust. Be sure to dry it thoroughly before storing it away.

With a little care and attention, your cast iron skillet will last many years. Season it regularly, and dry it thoroughly after each use to prevent rusting. With proper care, your cast iron skillet will be a kitchen staple for years to come!

Will I Ever Need to Re-Season a Pre-Seasoned Pan?

Cast iron skillets are timeless and make for some of the most durable cooking vessels on earth. The more you use your cast iron skillet, whether it be to fry fatty foods or create delicate sauces with wine and oil–the better they will get!

A sign that may indicate an older pan needs re-seasoning is when food starts sticking after being cooked sunny side up eggs on its surface; this typically happens because oils from other sources seep into cracks between tiles where there’s little airflow available (i.. e: around handles).

If you’re unsure whether your skillet needs to be re-seasoned, cooking bacon in it is a quick and easy test. The verdict will be based on how much sticking occurs and how dark the bacon grease becomes. If, after cooking multiple strips of bacon, you find yourself having to scrape off stuck-on bits or the grease appears more black than golden, it’s probably time for a touch-up.

What is Cast Iron Skillets Benefits Over Other Cookware Materials?

Cast iron skillets have many benefits over other cookware materials. They are durable, distribute heat evenly, and can be used on any cooking surface, including induction cooktops.

They are also very versatile. You can use them for frying chicken, searing a steak, or baking a cake. And because they are pre-seasoned, they create a naturally nonstick surface. This means you don’t have to use as much oil or fat when cooking, which is healthier for you.

Finally, cast iron skillets are affordable. They are not as expensive as some other materials on the market, but they will last just as long, if not longer.

How to Select a Cast Iron Skillet

When selecting a cast iron skillet, you should keep a few things in mind.

-Consider the size of the skillet. They come in various sizes, from small 8-inch skillets to large 16-inch skillets. Choose the size that will best suit your needs.

-Think about the style of the skillet. Some have straight sides, and some have sloped sides. The type of food you plan on cooking will dictate which style is best for you.

-Consider the weight of the skillet. Cast iron skillets are heavy, so choose the one you can comfortably lift.

-Take into account the price. Then, be sure to choose one that fits your budget.

Regarding cast iron skillets, size, style, weight, and price are all important factors. But the most important factor is quality. Be sure to choose a skillet that is made from high-quality materials, and that has a smooth surface. This will ensure that your food cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the pan.

Conclusion

Cast iron skillets are a timeless kitchen staple. They are durable, distribute heat evenly, and can be used on any cooking surface. They are also very versatile and affordable. When selecting a cast iron skillet, be sure to choose one made from high-quality materials with a smooth surface. With proper care, your cast iron skillet will last for many years.

Now you know how to cast iron skillet the first time. For more tips on using and caring for your cast iron skillet, check out our other articles.