A properly lined cast iron skillet can last a long time and keep the surface from sticking. The nonstick material in cast-iron pans is a "coat" made of oil heated on the surface of the pan. Read on to learn how to coat a new skillet, deal with an old rusty pan, and how to care for a pan so that the nonstick coating doesn't come off.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Coating a New Iron Frying Pan
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 180 C
Do not use the oven to cook other ingredients while you are doing this. The process of coating this pan can fail if it is exposed to steam coming out of the ingredients in the oven.
Step 2. Wash and dry the pan
Scrub the entire pan with soap and a brush. This is the only time this material should be used to clean the pan. You should not use it to scrub a coated pan.
Step 3. Coat the pan with fat, vegetable shortening, or olive oil
Make sure the entire surface of the pan is coated with oil, then rub it with a paper towel.
Step 4. Place the pan in the oven for about 30 minutes
Allow the oil or fat to bake on the surface of the pan for about 30 minutes. After that, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool.
Step 5. Repeat this step 2 or 3 times
You will need to add more than 1 layer of oil to the cast iron skillet. So that the surface of the pan is completely non-stick and the layer does not disappear when used for cooking, give it another layer of oil or fat. Re-bake the pan, and let it cool, then repeat the process one or two more times.
Method 2 of 3: Handling a Rusty Iron Frying Pan
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 230 °C
Do not use the oven to cook anything while you are doing this process.
Step 2. Make a solution of water and white vinegar
Find a container large enough to completely submerge the pan. Fill the container with equal amounts of water and vinegar.
Step 3. Soak the pan in the vinegar solution
Make sure the pan is completely submerged. Soak the pan for about 3 hours to allow the vinegar to dissolve the rust. Remove the pan from the container once you are done soaking it.
- If there is still rust on the pan, use a scrub brush to remove it. Rust will come off easily from the pan. Make sure the pan is clean of rust.
- Do not re-submerge the pan in the vinegar solution. A cast-iron skillet will spoil if it is soaked in vinegar for too long.
Step 4. Wash the pan with water, then wipe it dry
To make sure the pan is completely dry, use the stove or oven to preheat it for a few minutes.
Step 5. Coat the pan with oil or fat
Make sure the entire pan is coated. Rub the oil or fat on the surface of the pan using a paper towel.
Step 6. Bake the pan in the oven for about 30 minutes
Bake the pan for about 30 minutes at 180 C. When done, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool.
Step 7. Repeat this process 2 or 3 more times
For a strong nonstick coating, repeat the process by coating the pan with oil, grilling it, letting it cool, and repeating the process again. If necessary, you can do this three or four times.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for the Iron Frying Pan
Step 1. Clean the pan immediately
Cast iron pans are very easy to clean right after use before food sticks to the pan. As soon as the pan is cool enough, wipe off any remaining food with a cloth, then rinse with hot water.
- If there is a layer of food stuck to the bottom of the pan, pour in a solution of vinegar and kosher salt and rub the surface with a paper towel. Next, rinse the pan with hot water to remove any remaining vinegar.
- You can also burn food stuck to the pan. Place the pan in the oven set to very high heat. The food will turn to ashes and can be cleaned once the pan has cooled. If you use this method, you'll need to re-coat the pan as the nonstick coating will also burn.
- Do not use soap or a wire brush to clean a cast iron pan that has been coated with a nonstick coating. The coating will erode and the surface will become non-sticky, which will allow the metal to react with moisture and cause rust.
Step 2. Make sure the cast-iron skillet is completely dry
Once the food residue is removed, dry the pan completely. Wipe the pan with a dry cloth, leaving no dirt on it, and make sure the back of the pan is dry too.
- You can place the pan upside down on the stove that has just been used for cooking (while the stove is still warm). This helps speed up the drying of the pan.
- To allow the pan to dry completely, bake in the oven for a few minutes.
Step 3. Re-line the pan periodically
Every time the pan is used for cooking, the oil in the food will seep into the pan and coat it. However, you can help restore the nonstick coating by re-coating it regularly, especially if you've used salt and vinegar to clean the pan.
Step 4. Store the pan in a dry place
Make sure no water from other kitchen utensils drips on the pan. If you store the pan with other cooking utensils, protect the pan by placing a dry cloth on its surface.
