Seasoning your cast iron skillet with oil is one of the best ways to make sure it stays non-stick, rust-free, and lasts a long time.
Understanding Seasoning
Seasoning with oil gives your cast iron skillet a protective, non-stick coating. It also keeps it from rusting and makes your food taste better over time. You need to use oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil, to get the best results.
Meiloz Cookware: Pre-Seasoned for Your Convenience
Here at Meiloz, our cast iron products are made in China and come pre-seasoned with vegetable oil. That means you can use your cookware right away without having to do anything, which is great.
But it’s still good to know how to season your cookware so you can keep it in good shape and use it for a long time.
Benefits of Seasoning
- Non-Stick Surface: When your cast iron skillet is well-seasoned, it gets a natural non-stick surface. That makes it easier to cook with and clean up.
- Enhanced Flavor: Seasoning your skillet also makes your food taste better. It adds a special flavor that makes your cooking even more delicious.
- Rust Prevention: When you season your skillet, it gets a protective layer that keeps it from rusting and corroding.
- Durability: If you season your skillet right, you can use it for a really long time. Like, a really long time. You can even pass it down to your kids and grandkids.
Ideal Uses for Seasoned Cast Iron Cookware
Seasoned cast iron cookware is versatile and perfect for various cooking scenarios, including:
- Outdoor Cooking: Ideal for camping trips and outdoor barbecues, seasoned cast iron is durable enough to withstand open flames and uneven heat sources.
- Grilling: Perfect for searing meats and vegetables, providing a delicious char and retaining flavors.
- Baking: Excellent for baking bread, cornbread, and even desserts like cobblers, thanks to its even heat distribution.
- Frying: Ideal for deep-frying foods, ensuring a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Step-by-Step Seasoning Process
Even though your Meiloz cookware is pre-seasoned, knowing how to re-season it can be useful.
Here’s how:
- Clean Your Cookware: Start by giving your cast iron cookware a thorough cleaning with warm, soapy water. Make sure to dry it completely to prevent rust.
- Apply Oil: Using a paper towel, coat the entire surface of your cookware with a thin layer of oil. Be sure to cover both the inside and outside of the cookware.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place your oiled cookware upside down on the middle rack of the oven, with a sheet of aluminum foil placed on the bottom rack to catch any drips. Bake for one hour.
- Cool: Once the hour is up, turn off the oven and allow your cookware to cool completely before removing it.
- Repeat: For best results, repeat the seasoning process 2-3 times before using your cookware for the first time.
Additional Tips and Tricks
- –Avoid using acidic foods in your cast iron cookware, as they can break down the seasoning.
- –Regularly re-season your cookware to maintain its non-stick properties.
- –Store your cast iron cookware in a cool, dry place to prevent rusting.
In Conclusion
Seasoning your skillet with oil is a great way to keep it in good shape and make it work better. Your Meiloz skillet comes pre-seasoned with vegetable oil from our factory in China, but it’s still good to know how to take care of it and season it again. If you do, you’ll be able to use your skillet for a long time. You can use it inside or outside, too.
