How to Season Cast Iron Cookware
Cast iron cookware is seeing a comeback. While it’s one of the oldest types of cookware still in use today, cast iron fell out of fashion in the mid 20th century when other types of cookware such as aluminum, stainless steel and Teflon-coated non-stick pans gained popularity.
While these newer types of materials were marketed as being better than cast iron due to their lightweight and (in some cases) non-stick nature, it’s come to light in recent years that many of the newer, coated non-stick pans emit harmful chemicals into the air and into our food when heated.
Not to mention, some of the newer aluminum cookware just isn’t very durable, and can end up warped and corroded in no time.
Stainless steel is more durable, however it doesn’t distribute heat as evenly and is prone to having food stick and burn to the bottom.
Cast iron, on the other hand, is incredibly durable, distributes heat evenly and stays hot, and it’s naturally non-stick without needing any sort of harmful coating.
Sure, it’s heavy, but that’s because it’s built to last! In fact, when properly cared for, cast iron can last a lifetime and even longer. Many people use cast iron cookware that they’ve inherited from their parents and grandparents, and even rusted cast iron can be restored in most cases.
You can read about the many benefits of cooking with cast iron right here. In this post we’re going over the step-by-step process for how to season cast iron cookware so that it cooks more efficiently and lasts for generations!
What does it mean to “season” cast iron?
Simply put, seasoning cast iron means you’re creating a carbonized layer of oil on your cast iron cookware which helps to preserve it and keep it from rusting, along with giving it a natural non-stick coating.
Seasoning may sound complicated, but it’s actually really easy.
All you need to do to season cast iron is spread a thin layer of oil or fat on the surface and bake it. This process (called polymerization) creates a molecular bond between the cast iron and the oil/fat source and forms a protective barrier that will help prevent rust and corrosion.
It’s always a good idea to season a new cast iron pan –and even to re-season an older pan that hasn’t been used in a while– before you cook anything in it. But technically you’re also seasoning the pan every time you cook with fats and oils.
I was recently sent a set of Uno Casa cast iron skillets (affiliate link) to test and review, and even though they do technically come pre-seasoned, I always like to season my new cast iron pans myself.
The skillets shown here are the Uno Casa 10” and 12” cast iron skillets. They come in a set, which is awesome because I love having a smaller one and a larger one depending on what I’m cooking (plus I often find myself using more than one at a time).
They also come with two silicone handle covers, two silicone skillet scrapers and a free recipe book. Check out the set right here.
Do I have to season pre-seasoned cast iron cookware?
If you’re in the market for a new cast iron skillet, you’ll probably notice that most of the new cast iron cookware comes pre-seasoned. This means that the manufacturer seasoned it in the warehouse before releasing it to the public.
While you could technically go ahead and start cooking in it right away, an extra layer of seasoning never hurts. Plus, you never know what the cast iron has been seasoned with.
In our house, we like to use only natural, unrefined fats and oils like olive oil, lard, avocado oil and coconut oil. Many pre-seasoned cast iron pans are seasoned with Crisco, vegetable oil or even wax. It’s worth it to spend a little time and put in a little elbow grease (literally and figuratively!) and re-season your cast iron cookware before cooking in it, even if it’s brand new and pre-seasoned.
How to season old cast iron cookware
If you’ve got older cast iron cookware, the process for seasoning it is the same. The only difference would be to consider what shape it’s in first.
If it’s old and rusted, you’ll want to restore it first. You can read more about how to restore old cast iron cookware here.
If it’s in good shape and has been used continuously (say, a cast iron skillet that was passed down to you and has a solid coat of seasoning on it), you might not need to re-season it. In this case you could just continue cooking in it with fats and oils to keep the seasoning up.
If it’s in good shape but is looking a little dull and/or hasn’t been used in some time, it’s a good idea to re-season it by following the steps below.
How to season cast iron cookware
Whether you’ve got a brand new cast iron pan or an old hand-me-down, the first thing you’re probably going to want to do is season it. Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Pre-heat the oven to 450ºF.
Step 2: Wash your cast iron cookware in hot soapy water and scrub it to remove any old seasoning or bits of anything that might be stuck on an old pan. Dry it very well with a lint-free towel.
- This is the only time you should use soap on cast iron as the soap removes the seasoning. We’ll talk more about how to properly wash and care for cast iron below.
Step 3: Apply a thin coating of fat or oil to your skillet or cookware. Start with a couple teaspoons or so and add more as needed. It’s better to add multiple thin layers of seasoning over time rather than one thick layer at the beginning as this can cause the seasoning to be thick and sticky.
My favourite oils for seasoning cast iron include lard, coconut oil, olive oil and avocado oil. I like to render my own lard at home and use that to grease and season my cast iron; I’m using lard to season my skillets in the photos below. Click here to learn how to render your own lard at home too!
Step 4: Use a paper towel or lint-free towel to rub the fat or oil all over the inside and outside of the cookware. Once it’s all rubbed in it should completely cover the cookware but should not be drippy or runny.
Step 5: Place cast iron cookware upside down in your pre-heated oven and bake at 450ºF for one hour. (Placing it upside down allows any excess oil to run off instead of get baked in and turn goopy, although you shouldn’t have to worry about oil dripping in your oven if you’ve followed instructions and only applied a thin layer).
Step 6: Once time is up, turn your oven off and allow cast iron to cool in the oven completely before removing.
How to use your cast iron after seasoning
Once your cast iron has been properly seasoned, it’s ready to use!
While there are many benefits to cooking with cast iron, one of the biggest benefits is its versatility.
You can cook, fry, grill or bake in cast iron.
You can use in on your stovetop, in your oven, on a BBQ or grill and even use it to cook on your wood stove or over an open flame. (This is why cast iron is so great for camping!)
While you can cook just about anything in cast iron, try to avoid cooking highly acidic foods like tomatoes/tomato sauce or anything with too much vinegar or lemon juice. This is because acidic foods can wear away at the seasoning over time.
That being said, I do cook tomatoes and pasta sauces in my cast iron, I just don’t do it often. And when I do, I always make sure to apply a layer of oil over my skillet before storing.
The best thing you can cook in cast iron is anything with a lot of oil or fat as this will just add to the seasoning. The more you use and season your pan, the smoother and more non-stick it will become!
How to wash and care for cast iron
Every time you use your cast iron cookware you’ll of course need to wash it. But you want to be careful not to strip the seasoning off.
To wash cast iron, simply use water and a cloth or soft scrub brush. DO NOT USE SOAP!!!
While it’s okay (and even advisable) to use soap to clean cast iron before you season it the first time, you want to avoid using soap to clean your cast iron cookware between each use.
Be sure to dry your cast iron very well after washing. Any leftover moisture has the potential to cause rust damage.
Once your cast iron is dry, apply a thin layer of fat or oil on your skillet or cookware to further protect it before storing.
At the end of the day, seasoning cast iron isn’t nearly as complicated as it sounds. Once you do it once and get used to cooking with cast iron and washing/caring for it properly, it will become second nature. You might just find yourself ditching all of your other cookware and replacing it with cast iron! And honestly, I wouldn’t blame you:)
To learn more about the many benefits of cooking with cast iron, as well as see a list of all the different brands I use and recommend, you can learn more right here.
P.S. Are you striving to become more self-sufficient and looking for a little help, encouragement and inspiration to help guide you along on the journey? Subscribe to Modern Homesteading Magazine and get exclusive, seasonally-inspired modern homesteading information, recipes, expert interviews, advice and inspiration delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get your first issue free!
CATEGORIES
ABOUT ANNA
You Might Also Like
How to Safely Can Meat For Long-Term Food Storage
Whether you have a surplus of beef from your own livestock, some wild venison meat from a recent hunt, or you found a great deal on some beef, pork or lamb from a local farm or even the grocery store, learning how to safely can meat at home is an easy way to preserve...
Low-Sugar Strawberry Jam with Pomona’s Pectin
* This article contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Affiliate Disclosure. This low-sugar strawberry jam recipe is made with Pomona’s pectin and preserves the bright, fresh taste of summer strawberries all year long (without the...
It’s easy to romanticize homesteading, but the truth is that those homegrown vegetables, those freshly laid eggs, that loaf of bread rising on the counter, and that pantry full of home-canned food takes time, effort and dedication. It doesn’t “just happen” overnight!
But if you work on learning one new skill at a time and gain confidence in it before moving onto the next, one day you’ll be looking back and marvelling at how far you’ve come.
That’s where I’m at now. Life today looks a lot different than it did 10 years ago, when our homesteading and self-reliance journey was just beginning.
Back then we still lived in our city condo and were just beginning to dabble in all of this stuff. But my husband Ryan and I felt a sense urgency to start pursuing a more self-reliant lifestyle, and we committed to taking small steps, one day at a time to make that vision a reality.
Over the years we’ve continued to put one foot in front of the other, adding new skills and tackling new projects along the way that have helped us get to where we are today.
While there’s always more we want to learn and do, as I look around me right now, I’m so grateful that we took those first steps, especially considering what’s happened in the world over the past few years!
If you’re also feeling the urgency to take the first (or next) steps toward a more self-reliant life, this is your final reminder that today is the last day to join The Society of Self-Reliance and start levelling up your homesteading and self-sufficiency skills so that you’ve got what it takes to:
• Grow your own groceries
• Stock your pantry
• Create a natural home
• Get prepared
• Learn other important life skills like time management for homesteaders, goal setting and how to become your own handyman
And more!
If you’ve been feeling called to level up your self-reliance skills (because let’s be honest, we’re in for a wild ride these next few years with everything going on in the world), now is the time to heed that call.
Link in profile to enroll before midnight tonight, or go to thehouseandhomestead.com/society
#homesteading #selfreliance #selfsufficiency #homesteadingskills #preparedness
There are so many reasons to grow your own food at home:
💰 Saves you money at the grocery store
🍴 Healthier than conventionally grown food
🔑 increases your overall food security
🫙 Gives you an abundance to preserve and share
But perhaps the number one reason is because it just tastes better!
Not only does food taste better when it’s freshly picked or allowed to ripen on the vine, there’s something about putting in the work to grow something from a tiny seed and then getting to see it on your dinner plate that just makes it so much more satisfying than anything you’ll ever buy from the store.
Plus, having to wait all year for fresh tomatoes or strawberries or zucchinis to be in season makes that short period when they’re available just that much more exciting!
With the world spinning out of control and food prices continuing to rise, it’s no wonder more people are taking an interest in learning to grow their own food at home. But that also means changing our relationship with food and learning to appreciate the work that goes into producing it and the natural seasonality of organically grown fruits and vegetables.
(It also means learning to preserve it so you can make the most of it and enjoy homegrown food all year long).
In my online membership program, The Society of Self-Reliance, you’ll learn how to grow your own food, from seed to harvest, as well as how to preserve it so you can enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor all year long!
You’ll also learn how to grow and craft your own herbal medicine, detox your home, become your own handyman, and so much more (because self-reliance is about more than just the food that we eat… But that’s a pretty good place to start!)
The doors to the Society are now open for a limited time only. Click the link in my profile or go to thehouseandhomestead.com/society to learn more.
#foodsecurity #homegrownfood #homesteading #selfreliance #selfsufficiency #homegrownfoodjusttastesbetter
If you’ve been watching events unfold over the past few years and you’re feeling called to start “cutting ties” with the system and begin reclaiming your independence, The Society of Self-Reliance was made for you!
When I first launched this online membership program last year, my goal was to create a one-stop resource where members could go to learn and practice every aspect of self-reliance, as well as a space to connect with other like-minded people pursuing the same goal. And that’s exactly what you’ll get when you join!
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn inside the Society:
🌱 Food Security and Self-Sufficiency: Learn the art of growing and preserving your own food, ensuring you and your loved ones have access to nutritious meals year-round.
🌿 Natural Living and Herbal Medicine Mastery: Discover the secrets to creating a low-tox home and and to growing, making and using herbal remedies to support your family’s health, naturally.
🔨 Essential Life Skills: Learn essential life skills like time management, effective goal setting and practical DIY skills to become more self-sufficient.
As a member, you’ll enjoy:
📚 Monthly Video Lessons: Gain access to our ever-growing library of video lessons, with fresh content added each month.
📞 Live Group Coaching Calls: Participate in our monthly live group coaching calls, where we deep dive into a different self-reliance topic every month, and do live demonstrations and Q&A’s.
🏡 Private Community: Join our private community forum where you can ask questions, share your progress, and connect with like-minded individuals.
I only open the doors to The Society once or twice each year, but right now, for one week only, you can become a member for just $20/month (or $200/year).
In today’s world, self-reliance is no longer a luxury, a “cute hobby,” it’s a necessity. Join us inside The Society of Self-Reliance and empower yourself with the skills you need to thrive in the new world!
Link in profile or visit thehouseandhomestead.com/society to learn more.
#selfreliance #selfreliant #selfsufficiency #selfsufficientliving #sustainableliving #modernhomesteading #homesteadingskills #preparedness
Got out for an early morning harvest today. Been up since 3am, contemplating life, the future and the past, the order of things…
There is a rumbling right now, not just in North America, but around the world. Many of us can feel it, and know we are on the precipice of something big.
I’d been hearing about this new song that’s become an overnight viral sensation, written by an (until now) unknown singer named Oliver Anthony. His new song Rich Men North of Richmond has had 14 million views on YouTube in the past week alone, so I decided to check it out.
I also saw a clip of him playing a Farmers Market last week, and anything that has to do with Farmers Markets always has my attention;)
I can’t tell you how many tears I’ve already cried listening to that song. If you’ve heard it already, you probably know what I’m talking about, and if you haven’t, I highly recommend giving it a listen. All I can say is it’s been a while since a song resonated so deeply with me, and in this strange new world, I know I’m not the only one.
One of the lines in Anthony’s song is “Livin’ in the new world, with an old soul,” and that’s something I think so many of us in the homesteading community can relate to.
Trying to cling to better days; To a simpler time; To the old ways, all while doing our best to get by in the new world.
The world has changed drastically in the last few years especially, and it’s set to change in immense ways over the next few years. Today I’m feeling thankful for people like @oliver_anthony_music_ who give a voice to what so many are feeling right now.
Know that if you’re feeling it too, you’re far from alone. And while the future may feel uncertain and even a little scary, remember that if we stand united, we the people are a force to be reckoned with.
(Continued in comments…)
Another garlic harvest in the books!
Garlic is easily one of my favourite crops to grow. It’s pretty much a “set if and forget it” crop. We plant in the fall and leave it to overwinter, fertilize a couple times in the spring, start watering only once the ground starts to dry out, and then harvest in the summer. We can even plant a fall succession crop after our garlic if we want so it really makes great use of garden space all year round.
Over the years we’ve managed to become completely self-sufficient with garlic. We now grow enough to eat all year (and then some!), plus we save our own seed garlic and usually have extra to sell or give away. And around here fresh, organic garlic ain’t cheap, so it’s a good cash crop for anyone who’s serious about selling it.
It took me a few years to really get the hang of garlic, but it’s one crop I’m now very confident with (knock on wood, because it’s always when we make statements like this that next year’s crop fails! Lol.)
A while back I compiled a comprehensive guide to growing, harvesting and using garlic both as an edible and medicinal crop. This is usually only available as part of a paid bundle (or in the fall 2022 issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine if you’re a subscriber;), but for a limited time I’m offering it for free, no strings attached!
Plus you’ll also get access to my step-by-step video lesson on planting garlic so you can set yourself up for success with your garlic crop this year.
Comment “Garlic” below or head to thehouseandhomestead.com/garlic-guide to get your free copy!
.
.
.
#garlic #garlicharvest #homesteading #selfsufficient #selfsufficiency #selfsufficientliving #selfreliance #homegrown #groworganic #growfoodnotlawns #gardenersofinstagram #homesteadersofinstagram
Going through photos and videos from our trip to the @modernhomesteadingconference and the vast majority are of our daughter having the time of her life!
Even if I personally got nothing else out of this gathering (which I most certainly did), watching her discover her own love of this lifestyle outside of what we do at home made my heart grow three sizes!
Homesteading is about so much more than homegrown food and self-reliance. It’s about passing on invaluable skills and an understanding of and respect for our connection to the land that provides for us to the next generation.
Being around so many other kids and families who are also pursuing a homesteading lifestyle helped show our little one that this is a movement that is so much bigger and greater than what our own family does on our little plot of land. This is a lifestyle worth pursuing, with a community unlike any other.
Glad to be back home and more excited than ever to involve my kids in everything we’re doing. But also, I think I speak for my whole family when I say we can’t wait to go back someday!
.
.
.
#homesteading #modernhomesteading #raisinglittles
If you’re simply looking for ways to save a little extra cash this summer and live well for less, here are 12 tried and tested frugal living tips for summer that you can use to save money this season without sacrificing a thing.
Head over using the link in my bio!
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/12-frugal-living-tips-summer/
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#houseandhomestead
#momentsofcalm
#pursuejoy
#simplepleasuresoflife
#thatauthenticfeeling
#findhappiness
#artofslowliving
#simplelifepleasures
#lifesimplepleasure
#simplepleasuresinlife
#thatauthenticlife
#authenticlifestyle
#liveanauthenticlife
#livinginspired
#savouringhappiness
#livemoment
#localgoodness
#simplelive
#lifeouthere
#enjoywhatyouhave
#frugallifestyle
#homesteadingmama
#offgridhomestead
#modernfarmhousekitchen
#crunchymama
#rusticfarmhouse
#farmhouseinspo
#farmhouselife
#modernhomesteading
#backyardfarmer
A brand new issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine just dropped!
In this issue:
🌱 How to forage and use five common edible and medicinal weeds
🏠 A sustainable, affordable alternative to traditional homes, greenhouses and more
👨👩👧👦 Tips for managing a homestead while raising a family (big or small!)
🫙 What to focus on when preserving food for true food security
🌹 How to grow and arrange your own cut flowers at home
🍓 The many ways to preserve summer berries (including 5 delicious recipes!)
💇How to make your own all-natural herbal hair care products at home
🧑🌾 Why “community sufficiency” is the new self-sufficiency
And more!
Visit modernhomesteadingmagazine.com (or click the link in my bio) to subscribe or login to the library and read the latest issue.
Plus, be sure to check out all of our past issues as well! There’s a wealth of information in our library on everything from farming and gardening to cooking and canning to herbal medicine, natural living and so much more!
*** This will be the last quarterly issue! ***
This little magazine has grown so much over the past 4 years and 32 issues, and now it’s time for another exciting evolution.
I’m excited to announce that we will be moving to an even more robust annual publication with the intention of offering the first ever print edition this fall if there is enough demand.
I’m also excited to announce the brand new Modern Homesteading Magazine blog, which is currently under construction and will be launching soon. While we will still be maintaining digital subscriptions, the blog will be accessible to all, free of charge, so that more people might benefit from the empowering and increasingly important information that we cover in each issue.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this issue happen! @homesteadingfamily @oatsandhoneyhomestead @omnivore.culture @thetaylor.leigh @doeraydesign (and more who don’t have IG pages;)
And a HUGE thank you to everyone who has subscribed over the years. Modern Homesteading Magazine would never have become what it is today without each and every one of you.
#homesteading #modernhomesteading #selfsufficiency
If you’ve ever grown your own garlic, you might have noticed the spiral-shaped shoots that suddenly pop up in the centre of the stem, usually about a month or so before the garlic bulbs themselves are ready to be harvested.
These are garlic scapes, and believe it or not- they make delicious pesto! Get the recipe through the link in my bio- https://thehouseandhomestead.com/garlic-scape-pesto/
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#houseandhomestead
#homesteadmom
#homesteadmoments
#homesteadingskills
#homesteady
#thehomestead
#thehomesteadlife
#summeronthehomestead
#suburbanhomesteading
#lovemyfarm
#modernhomesteader
#countrygal
#country_living
#urbanhomesteading
#selfsustainableliving
#homesteaderslife
#garlic
#garlicscapes
#garlicscapespesto
#granolamom
#urbanhomesteader
#homesteadlifestyle
#farmerslifeforme
#backyardhomesteading
#homesteadingfamily
#sustainablelifestyles
#happyhomesteading
#homesteadersofamerica
#homesteaders
This honey and chive blossom vinaigrette is a frugal, easy and healthy homemade salad dressing that pairs beautifully with fresh garden salads all season long.
Get the recipe through the link in my bio.
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/chive-blossom-vinaigrette/
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#houseandhomestead
#herbalgarden
#gardenherbs
#herbsfromthegarden
#freshherbsfromthegarden
#gardenfreshherbs
#chiveblossoms
#homesteadmom
#homesteadmoments
#homesteadingskills
#homesteady
#thehomestead
#thehomesteadlife
#summeronthehomestead
#suburbanhomesteading
#lovemyfarm
#modernhomesteader
#countrygal
#country_living
#urbanhomesteading
#selfsustainableliving
#homesteaderslife
#seasonalrecipes
#eatinseason
#liveseasonally
#eattheseasons
#seasonaleats
#summersbounty
#eatseasonal
Whether you live in the city and grow a few herbs on your balcony, have a few backyard chickens in the suburbs or live in the country and have a larder full of enough home-canned food to survive the apocalypse, if living a more homemade, homegrown, self-sufficient lifestyle is important to you, Modern Homesteading Magazine was made for you!
Read it today through the link in my bio!
https://modernhomesteadingmagazine.com/
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#houseandhomestead
#homesteadmom
#homesteadmoments
#homesteadingskills
#homesteady
#thehomestead
#thehomesteadlife
#summeronthehomestead
#suburbanhomesteading
#lovemyfarm
#modernhomesteader
#countrygal
#country_living
#urbanhomesteading
#selfsustainableliving
#homesteaderslife
#granolamom
#urbanhomesteader
#homesteadlifestyle
#farmerslifeforme
#backyardhomesteading
#homesteadingfamily
#sustainablelifestyles
#happyhomesteading
#homesteadersofamerica
#homesteaders
#backyardhomestead
#hobbyfarmer
#selfsufficientliving
This radish top pesto recipe makes good use of the edible radish greens that often get discarded once they’re separated from the root. The end result is a peppery, slightly spicy twist on a classic pesto recipe.
A perfect condiment for all your summer snacking!
https://thehouseandhomestead.com/radish-top-pesto-recipe/
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#houseandhomestead
#radishes
#vegetablerecipes
#sustainablecooking
#foodforeveryone
#eatlocallygrown
#seasonalrecipes
#freshandlocal
#eatingseasonally
#eatlocallygrown
#seasonalproduce
#eatseasonalfood
#seasonalshift
#seasonalfoods
#homesteadmom
#homesteadmoments
#homesteadingskills
#homesteady
#thehomestead
#thehomesteadlife
#summeronthehomestead
#suburbanhomesteading
#lovemyfarm
#modernhomesteader
#countrygal
#country_living
#urbanhomesteading
#selfsustainableliving
#homesteaderslife
0 Comments