The short answer
Warm a clean pan, rub in 1 tablespoon of Cast iron oil and wipe it back until it looks dry. Bake it upside down at 450°F for an hour, then let it cool in the oven. Repeat five more times for a dark, semi-matte finish.
What you need
- Küche Chef Cast iron oil
- Paper towels
- Kitchen tongs
- Oven mitts
- An oven that reaches 450°F
- A bowl of water for used towels
Step by step
Warm the pan
Warm a clean cast iron pan for 15 minutes in a 200°F oven to open its pores.
Oil it, then wipe it back
Take the pan out and add 1 tablespoon of Cast iron oil. Using tongs, rub the oil into every surface with paper towels, including the handle and the underside. Then wipe the pan out thoroughly with fresh towels until it looks almost dry.
Bake it upside down
Place the pan upside down in a cold oven, set it to 450°F and heat for 60 minutes. Turn the oven off and let the pan cool inside for at least two hours.
Repeat until dark
Repeat steps 1 to 3 five more times, or until the pan has a dark, semi-matte surface.
Tip:If the pan still looks wet after wiping, keep wiping. Thick coats turn sticky instead of hard.
Warning:Paper towels soaked in flaxseed oil can heat up and catch fire as they dry. Soak used towels in water and seal them in a bag before you throw them away.
Looking after the seasoning
Once the pan is seasoned, everyday care keeps it that way. Clean it with a Cast iron chainmail scrubber and a little Cast iron pan soap, dry it over low heat, then wipe on a thin layer of Cast iron conditioner while it is still warm.
If rust or dull patches appear, scrub them back and bake on one or two fresh coats of oil.
Common questions
How long does each coat take?
About three and a quarter hours: 15 minutes warming, 60 minutes baking and at least two hours cooling in the oven.
Why bake the pan upside down?
So any extra oil drips away instead of pooling in the pan and leaving sticky spots.
Do I need to season a pre-seasoned pan?
You can cook on it straight away, but one or two extra coats build a tougher surface.
