Beginner's Guide

Beginner's Guide to Cast Iron

By: Lodge Cast Iron / May 17, 2022

We get it—sometimes cast iron gets a bad rap for being complicated. Everyone has an opinion about the “right way” to care for their cookware and it can feel overwhelming to a beginner. But we believe there are lots of ways to make cast iron work for you. Follow some of our favorite tips and you’ll master the art of cast iron cooking in no time.

How to Fry an Egg in a Cast Iron Skillet

Seasoning

Our cookware comes seasoned and ready to use. At our foundry, we add a layer of soy-based vegetable oil to the cookware and bake it at a high temperature. Gone are the days of seasoning your new cast iron cookware at home. That’s right—after a quick wash, pop your skillet on the stove, add some oil, and start cooking. In fact, one of the best ways to care for your skillet is simply by using it. Fry bacon, sear a steak, or roast your favorite veggies to build up even more naturally-nonstick seasoning in your pan. Ready to get started? Check out our favorite recipes for new cookware.

Cooking

You can use cast iron over any heat source (More on that, here!). But no matter where you're cooking, cast iron is going to heat differently than your typical nonstick pan—and that’s a good thing. One common mistake? Cooking at a too-high temperature. Cast iron retains heat like no other cookware, so you don’t need to crank up your burner to fry the perfect egg or get a mouthwatering sear on your steak. Everyone’s cooktop is different, but we recommend starting at medium and working up from there. Be patient, take the time to preheat your skillet, and don’t be afraid to adjust the temperature throughout the cooking process.

Here are our top three cooking tips:
   1.   Let your pan preheat for a couple of minutes.  
   2.   Make sure you’re using a little butter or cooking oil.  
   3.   Turn down the heat. (Trust us on this.)  

Scrub brush, scraper and skillet in sink

Cleaning and Care

Three words: wash, dry, oil. After you cook, allow your cookware to cool and hand wash with warm water and a scrub brush. It’s fine to use a little bit of gentle dish soap, but it’s totally optional. For the occasional tough mess, simmer water for 3-5 minutes, then use a pan scraper to release stuck-on food after the pan has cooled. Once clean, dry your cookware and apply a light layer of oil.

Reseasoning

Whenever you cook an egg, sear a steak, or bake a pie, additional layers of oil bond to your cookware to enhance the surface with a natural, easy-release finish that gets better with age. However, it can still be beneficial to season your cast iron in the oven a few times a year. It’s easy to do, and you can download our Seasoning Guide as a handy reference.

A Lodge cast iron skillet cools in the oven after it's been seasoned

Beginner’s Guide to Cast Iron Cleaning and Care

We’re here to help you with your everyday cast iron questions so you can start cooking and making memories—with confidence—today.

How to Use Cast Iron Over Any Heat Source

No matter where you like to cook, we’ve got tips and tricks for using cast iron on electric, induction, and gas cooktops, as well as gas grills, charcoal grills and campfires.

Best Recipes for New Cast Iron Cookware

One of the easiest ways to care for your cast iron is simply to use it! When you first take home your cookware, there are certain foods you can cook and bake to strengthen the base layer of seasoning.

How to Keep Food From Sticking to Cast Iron

There’s nothing worse than putting a lot of effort into a delicious dish or baked good only to realize that it’s creating a sticky mess on your cast iron. Don’t worry, with a few tweaks you can easily prevent food from sticking to your cookware or bakeware.

How to Restore and Season a Rusty Cast Iron Skillet

Learn how to remove rust from cast iron and re-season your cookware for decades of cooking.

Contributed By: Lodge Cast Iron

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