How to Re-season Cast Iron the Easy Way

 

 

 

Earlier this year, we were finally able to replace the electric stove that we’ve used since we moved here to Tennessee. I had missed using a gas stove for all of the past 11 years.

Now that I had a gas stove, it was time to pull out all of the cast iron cookware that had been in storage. Sitting that long unused caused many of the pieces to be rusty and in need of re-seasoning. They looked pretty bad to me. Some of the pieces we have came from our wedding, over 24 years ago. I was sad that they were lost.

My Honey, smart man that he is, told me re-seasoning cast iron was an easy process. He was right.

First, we started by building a fire in our fire pit. This is a favorite activity for our family, so no problem in getting that done.

Next up was to simply enjoy the fire.

Once the fire was dying down, and we had a good pile of hot coals, it was time to add the cast irons pans. We carefully nestled them down into the coals. With all of the pots and pans into the coals, we placed a large piece of tin over the top, to keep the heat in and morning dew off the cast iron. After this, it was time to just let it work on its own.

We left the pots and pans in the fire pit overnight, allowing the cast iron to cool off completely. Be sure to remove the cast iron promptly, before the dew causes more rust.

Once you have removed the cast iron, it’s time to wash off the rust that remains. Since the cast iron will be seasoned again, it’s fine to use soap at this point. Use a stiff brush and scrub well.

We also used soap pads on them as well, since the cast iron was going to be seasoned shortly.

Rinse the cast iron well.

Heat the cast iron up to dry it out. (I do this as well after each use)

Now, it’s time to re-season.

You can do this in  your oven, or as I do, in the roaster oven. I choose to use the roaster oven because I didn’t want any mess in my new stove. To use the roaster oven, simply line it with heavy duty foil, then coat the cast iron with oil (I used coconut oil, but have read that grape seed oil is the best choice.) Place the pots and pans upside down in the roaster oven. If you have a full roaster oven and the lid doesn’t quite fit, place more heavy duty foil over the top, then place the lid on top.

 

 

 

Bake at 350* for an hour. Let cool completely before removing.

Wipe away any excess oil, and store for use.