What's the best way to season a cast iron pan?

[Doubtful Optimist]

I just bought two at the store and I've never owned new cast iron.

How do you season a cast iron pan?

[dolo amber]

1. Baby lard

[Doubtful Optimist]

4. Um, I'm almost afraid to ask, but

what in the world is baby lard?

Is that the layer of fat that cooks off when you're stewing babies?

:shrug:

[Gormy Cuss]

2. Take it from an expert.

Lodge
http://www.lodgemfg.com/useandcare.asp

[Blue Diadem]

8. Thanks, DH just picked up one of Lodge's already seasoned pans

Now I know to keep the oil on the outside too.

[mainegreen]

3. We use olive oil.

Then bake the pan with oil in it at a very low temp for a little bit, but not enough for the oil to burn.
:shrug:

[AngryAmish]

5. Peanut oil

High smoke point so cover it and bake the thing at a 450-500 deg oven.

HAVE YOUR WINDOWS OPEN!!!!!!!!!

[conscious evolution]

6. Bacon grease

you can season the pan and cook breakfast at the same time.

[trof]

10. You bet!!!

Gotta be good ol' bacon grease.
None of that effete EVOO.
;-)

[kwassa]

7. 40 weight motor oil

[asthmaticeog]

9. A little sea salt, some fresh basil, keep it simple.

[unpossibles]

11. any kind of fat/oil, an oven and some time

and leaving the windows open is a good idea.


Also, don't use soap on it, and if you cook something that is very acidic you may have to reseason it. I usually rub a little oil on it when I put it away.

[HEyHEY]

12. 10w-30

[NMDemDist2]

13. here's a thread from our Cooking and Baking forum on that very subject

congrats, you'll love em. I have two skillets and a dutch oven I inherited from my Grammy and they are the best pans EVAH!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=236&topic_id=17413

and here's one DUer's experience with the subject

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=236&topic_id=32823