The Right Way to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

Seasoning creates a nonstick cooking surface and helps prevent cookware from rusting.

A well-seasoned cast iron skillet offers a nonstick cooking experience and rust prevention, making it indispensable in any kitchen. Understanding the process of seasoning a skillet allows it to remain a reliable tool for generations. Known for its consistent heat conduction, seasoned cast iron ensures evenly cooked dishes. We spoke with experts for the best way to season a skillet and advice on recognizing when your skillet requires reseasoning.

Kris Stubblefield, a chef at Lodge Cast Iron
Herve Malivert, director of culinary affairs at the Institute of Culinary Education

What Is Seasoning?

Seasoning is a layer of oil baked onto cast iron in the oven to make the cookware easier to use. "Seasoning forms a natural, easy-release cooking surface and helps prevent your cookware from rusting," says Kris Stubblefield, a chef at Lodge Cast Iron.

cast iron skillet on slate surface — Credit: YelenaYemchuk / Getty Images

How to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

If your cast-iron skillet didn't come pre-seasoned, do it yourself and follow the steps outlined by Stubblefield below.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Wash the skillet with warm soapy water. Dry it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.
Apply a thin layer of cooking oil to the surface of your cookware (inside and out, including the handles).
Bake your cookware upside down at 450 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven for one hour.
Allow the pan to cool down completely, and repeat three more times.

Don't coat your cast-iron pan in too much oil as doing so can cause it to become sticky.

When to Re-Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

Whether you seasoned your own cast-iron pan or bought one that came pre-seasoned, eventually you will need to re-season the pan. "You'll be able to tell if it's losing its seasoning because the glossy surface will turn matte and food will start to stick," says Herve Malivert, director of culinary affairs at the Institute of Culinary Education. Signs of rust are another indication it's time to re-season, according to Malivert.

How to Maintain a Cast-Iron Skillet

These maintenance tips will keep your cast-iron skillet nonstick and rust-free for longer.

The best way to maintain seasoning on a cast-iron skillet is to use the pan regularly. "When oil is heated in cast iron, it bonds with the metal through a process called polymerization, which creates a layer of seasoning," says Stubblefield.
When you first obtain your skillet, use it for cooking ingredients with fat (eggs, bacon, etc.), which helps strengthen the seasoning.
Avoid cooking acidic foods in cast iron, as they can erode the seasoning.
After cleaning your cast iron, be sure to dry it completely, says Malivert. This prevents rust from building up on the pan.