You are here:

Cleaning Up/cast iron skillets

Advertisement

Expert: - 9/10/2010


Question
Hello Ms. Hayner,

By any chance, do you know the best way to season a cast iron skillet. There are dozens of different suggestions online, but I'm not having much success with any. The skillet is old and was well-seasoned at one time from regular use, but I did not know how to take care of it and now it needs to be seasoned again. Please tell me how.

Many thanks,
B.J.


Answer
Hi B.J.;
Your right, there are a ton of sites on the internet and all of the explanations sound good. However, I prefer my grandma and great-grandmas way of doing it.

Simply take some crisco and place it on a paper towel and whipe the inside of the pan, make sure that you don't put it on thick. Then place it on the burner and put it on simmer for about 2 hours. My grandma always told me to add three shakes of pepper and 3 shakes of salt during the last half an hour. This was just to get the build up cured.-----so she told me!

But, I use this method once a year--I don't think it has to be done that way, but she did it and that is good enough for me.

Never wash a cast iron pan with soap and water. After you use it, simply wipe it out with a piece of paper towel. If something is stuck to it, add a little salt (used as an abrasive) and it will wipe right off.

I do this for about a year, then give it a real good scrubbing with a mild soap and reseason. I am still using grandmas pan too!!!! So it works!

Happy seasoning,
Jan Hayner

Cleaning Up

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jan Hayner

Expertise

If you have questions regarding home organizing, house cleaning shortcuts, office organizing, files, record keeping, organizing your children, teaching your kids how to help you clean and making it fun, I will give you the advice of a Professional Organizer, mom of four and grandma of 8. Working Smarter-Not Harder is a phrase I live by; taking the stress out of life so you have time for the fun things is my goal!

Experience

I have been a Professional Organizer for 9 years, the mom of 4 and grandma of 8,I do work for clients in the home and the work place, and am considered an expert in my field of Organization.

Organizations
Faithful Organizers, passed member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers), WIM (Women in Management),

Publications
I have had work published all over the internet and various webzines and Newsletters. I am also a columnist on Mature Resources.org. and an Expert on all experts.com under Self Improvement/SelfHelp/Organizing Your Home and Workspace.

Education/Credentials
I have taken various /classes on organizing on the interent, been taught by the best (other collegues in the field), and when I need to learn something, I find an expert in the field and learn from them. I am a research fanatic and enjoy learning everything that I can on a subject.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.