How Do You Treat Cast Iron Pans?
Cast-iron pans have been used for hundreds of years because of their ability to hold heat well and cook food evenly. Because cast iron is prone to rust, cast-iron pans require special care to maintain, including a special coating process known as “seasoning.” Though care for cast-iron pans is ongoing, proper use, cleaning, seasoning and storage practices can greatly extend the life of your cookware. These same practices can also be used to restore old, rusty cast-iron pans. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub a thin layer of vegetable shortening or lard all over the inside and outside of your cast-iron pan. Turn the pan upside-down and place it on a cookie sheet on the top oven rack. Bake the pan for one hour and then turn off the oven. Let the pan cool completely before taking it out of the oven. Repeat the seasoning process at least three times in succession for a well-seasoned cast-iron pan. Re-season your pan if the natural nonstick coating begins to wear off. Coat the
