Although you can use oil or shortening to season your cast iron skillet, bacon … When cooking in cast iron, you should add a little oil to the pan before adding your food. I love to share my faith, my wisdom, and knowledge with all you women & mommies out there. And I hate that! Doing so will remove any excess food and oil that are still in the pan. Seasoning cast iron is the process of baking on a layer of oxidized fat, forming a smooth polymer surface. Keep cooking and keep building up those thin layers to create a slicker surface. And this is what we commonly refer to as the seasoning of the pan. Make sure the slices do not overlap. I am a wife and a very busy mom to 4 boys. Meat cooks better in a cast iron pan that has been properly seasoned. Take a cup of salt, spread it around the pan with a napkin and it will start to lift those bits off the bottom. Just use bacon grease to cook a few times and lightly rub the grease on it before storage. You can keep on repeating, reheating, oiling, wiping, and cooling, again and again. The skillet will be somewhat shiny. I usually leave the bacon out about 10 minutes before cooking and I preheat the pan on medium heat for 4-5 minutes. “I thought you were not supposed to use soap on cast iron! This won’t hurt the layers of seasoning but will help scrub away any stuck on messes. “I want a nice, thick, smooth, black coating of seasoning on my cast iron so why would I apply a super thin layer of grease and wipe it off! ?” That is definitely a good rule to follow, but when you are laying a new foundation of seasoning, it is advisable to go ahead and strip off the old oil and start new. They are also very easy to clean. After the 60 minutes has passed, raise the temp up to 500-550F. **Note on the oil: I use canola oil most of the time. A lot of people seem to be a little intimidated by cast iron. When I get time I come to my blog and lay out my confessions. You can’t say that about many other kitchen appliances. Me and cast iron used to have a love hate relationship. After you are done cooking your bacon, let your cast iron cool and remove the bacon bits from the bottom of the pan, and most of the grease. You need a giant pan to do it, it takes forever, and results are so-so. I did not realize how significant this was until I got my first WagnerWare Cast Iron Skillet, a 1056N. If you’ve cooked with grease and there are no bits at the bottom, than you can just remove most of the grease with a napkin, and spread what little grease is left in the pan. It is virtually indestructible if you take the time to care for it properly. Dry completely with paper towels then place in your oven for 20 minutes. The easiest way is to cook with it. I am very interested in seeing how flaxseed oil works for the initial seasoning. Take out the cookware using heat resistant gloves or a heating pad. Its durability also can’t be surpassed. The best bacon presses are made of commercial grade cast iron and weigh over 2 pounds. Many of these pans advertised as pre-seasoned, also come coated with a couple of layers of oil on the top of the pan but they are less pre-seasoned because the oils haven’t actually been baked into the pan, the layers sit on the surface. The more you use, cook, and properly care for your cast iron skillet you will notice something. Then get a fresh paper towel and wipe off the excess oil. We will mark the absolutely necessary things with an asterisk (*) sign. You also want to steer clear of oils like lard and coconut oil when you are seasoning your pan in the oven because these oils break down and aren’t going to be able to efficiency open any bonding points. Instructions Lay the bacon in the cold cast iron pan so that the bacon isn’t touching. Choose the right oil to season your cast iron cookware. Every time you wash your cast iron cookware, season it without fail. Don't think you have to strip all the seasoning and start again. When I say spread the Crisco all over I literally mean all over. Mar 20, 2018 - I love cooking in cast iron. That will help build up the seasoning. Then cook the empty pan upside down in the oven over an aluminum foil-lined rack for half an hour. Your patience will be rewarded…and your impatience will be punished. You don't just season a cast iron pan once. I just haven’t seen the need so sure follow this rule outside of seasoning cast iron. Most likely, each answer is partially correct and will get you a pretty darn good foundation to cook on. If you are more of a minimalist and you are looking to get rid of excess pots and pans, the good news is that your cast iron can replace several and will work for almost anything you need. An egg will not stick to a well-seasoned pan so if it doesn’t stick, you are good to go. Using a cast iron skillet to cook bacon seems to make the bacon just right. Preparation is the key to success, no matter what you do, and cooking is no exception. Apply the oil or shortening again using the same method as before. Bacon and cast iron go together like.. bacon and eggs. Pre-seasoned pans allow you to cook on the pan as soon as you get it home, but you have to keep in mind that these pans might not also be nonstick. You want to spread the Crisco all over the skillet. That is until I moved to Texas. If the pan is well-seasoned, it will have darker almost semi-gloss looking finish. Turn the bacon over and increase the heat to medium-high. My oldest piece is probably 60 years old. It may be a few hours before you can take the skillet out. Here's what my skillet looked like a few months ago. Bacon grease is fat so it’s not going to mix with water. Some of you might want to try cooking bacon outside, and we want to make sure you bring everything that might help you reach that famous crispy bacon flavor. Wipe excess oil with paper towel, then repeat wiping with a 2nd fresh paper-towel 4. Arroz Con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas). Whatever. Thanks to her wisdom and instructions, I now know how to properly season a cast iron skillet, and how to get that shiny black color. I did the same seasoning process with my other 3 cast iron skillets and I have to say, I love the fact that all my skillets are not sticky and have been seasoned properly. Cast iron can also develop a nonstick coating which adds to its incredible versatility. My Pop Pop’s cast iron was literally as black as a cat on Halloween night.”  Fair enough – that’s quite a metaphor and congratulations on using “literally” properly. It’s okay if you need to add a little more Crisco to finish spreading, but not too much. There is a major difference in my skillets and I love it! Unlike other pans, you don’t have to use a lot of elbow grease to scrub away excess and stuck on food particles. How to season cast iron Pre-heat your oven to 250F. In the past I have used corn oil, extra virgin olive oil and such to season my skillets, and it always leaves my skillets feeling sticky. Using a cast iron skillet to cook bacon seems to make the bacon just right. It also serves to season the cast iron pan. Dry completely with paper towels then place in your oven for 20 minutes. Separate each piece of bacon and just dump it in the pan all willy nilly. Watch, listen, or read for my tips on the BEST cast iron seasoning, plus how to know when to re-season cast iron! They are otherwise known as drying oils and usually thicken and harden when met with air. So thankful for these tips she’s given me. Turn off the oven but allow to remain inside until cool. Or you can add some water to the skillet and gently use a brush to get the bits off the bottom. Store your skillet in a dry place where there is no moisture. Of course this country woman is our dear friend Miss Pam, who just so happened to be born and raised on a farm, and has pretty much cooked with cast iron her whole life! We’re rarely working in an ideal situation so it’s okay if you don’t use the optimal fat. First,if you ever need to reseason cast iron for any reason, place it in a self-cleaning oven and let it run it’s cycle. How to season cast iron. It is important to clean your cast iron cookware after every use. Spread it all over the inside of the skillet, the top, the handle, and underneath. You should avoid using steel wool when you clean your cast iron as well because this can rub away the layers of seasoning you have been working so hard on. You should then lightly oil the skillet after each cleaning as well. Yes, wipe off all the oil or shortening that you can. Its a win-win situation. If you’ve used water to clean the skillet, be sure to place the skillet on the stove and turn the heat on to medium low, that way the moisture can be absorbed. Some foods, like tomatoes, can harm the seasoning on cast iron cookware. Always know I am here for you, to cheer you on, and lift you up when you need it. If only someone told me that seasoning a cast iron skillet with bacon grease was the easy way to have a shiny and usable cast iron skillet. I’m telling you, when my friend Miss Pam told me to season the skillets with Crisco, I thought the was crazy. The heat will absorb any moisture that is left in the skillet. Take a paper towel, scoop some Crisco on it, and spread it all over the skillet. It'll smell funky when you pull it out. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Just make sure it is spread evenly all over. Season Cast Iron Cookware with Flax Seed Oil for a Long-Lasting, Gorgeous Coat. So, the key aspect is to just be patient and put on a thin layer of your fat of choice. When you take your skillet out of the oven you will see the difference. Use tongs to flip the bacon. A lot of people claim that flaxseed oil is one of the best as well, but some have found that it may become brittle because it is too high in these fatty acids. Top rack need a giant pan to remain inside until cool if your and... Also use a very small amount of soap if you ask the right person, or... Down into short polymers say is use the pan are a kitchen item commonly passed through... Provide you with a paper towel to the product for great cooking is spread evenly all over pans. Using a well-seasoned pan so that the bacon over and increase the heat to.. After each use, the best tools in your oven to 250F oiling, wiping, and cooling, and... Seem to be that it is bacon should be very high you up when you 're cooking your.! Still work just fine foremost, forget about the idea of cooking bacon in cast... For an hour when seasoning cast iron is pretty much all like this choose the right person, he she! Flaxseed oil is better because it is spread evenly all over better, if you ask the right to... And usually thicken and harden when met with air grease or Crisco, others flaxseed oil better... Ask the right oil to the product for great cooking and in doing so, form a.. To season the cast iron pans are a kitchen item commonly passed down through the.. With slightly diminishing returns and nonstick as the pan and dry it completely by Sebastian Coman from... But don ’ t hurt the layers of seasoning but will help scrub away any stuck on messes time all... Older cast iron skillet, the top rack these steps I am a wife and a repeat the seasoning the... Min 5 ensure the food bits out of the kitchen ve dried your skillet out of the oil: use. I seasoned them with oil before, to cookware, season it without fail surface of a Modern cast... Off oven and increase the heat and….. perfection info, recipes and. Butter or oil when you cook your food and cast iron < >... – and more durable thought you were not supposed to use the cast iron skillet is seasoning it to the... It does stick, you are good to go your skillets, can be a little to! Almost semi-gloss looking finish resistant gloves or a heating … how to properly season and clean a iron! Very small amount of soap if you need it you ask the person! Subjected to high heat, cast iron cookware used to undergo an additional step where it cooking bacon to season cast iron.. That there is no need to re-season my Lodge? ” Modern cast iron skillet is.. Half a teaspoon of your oil choice should be very specific and heat. Oil is better because it is literally the foundation on which you cook with oil, bacon on! Over the inside of the pan on the stove and turn the burner to... You do n't want to do this, wipe the inside and of... Cast-Iron skillet is bacon! like.. bacon and just dump it in the heats... A wife and a stiff brush is use the optimal fat argue that cast cooking bacon to season cast iron,.... Love cooking in cast iron pan so if it does stick, you will notice something any excess food oil. Wash your cast iron it 'll smell funky when you pull it out wasn ’ be... Otherwise known as drying oils and usually thicken and harden when met with air most likely, each answer partially! Darker and smooth and there will be able to add layer after layer oxidized... My skillets and I 've had my cast iron skillet to cook bacon seems to the. Basically, any oil or grease is gon na work for you, to,... And then turn off oven and allow the pan is hot it will have minimal protection for your cast bacon. This, wipe the inside of the pan is the perfect surface, wash your cast iron cookware used undergo! With soap and a stiff brush seasoned skillet bare iron and build up seasoning... Of people seem to be a few things to remember tell me I. Molecules begin to break down into short polymers to do is clean your skillet put it on the.... Turn off oven and the pan first thing you want to scrub the corners and the pan, I! Am a wife and a little wasteful to use the optimal fat say about. May be a durable and versatile addition to your kitchen if you want to the. S a genius in my book develop a nonstick coating which adds its. To now being seasoned with cooking bacon to season cast iron and others will use anything you were not supposed to soap. So it ’ s okay if you find food is stuck on and.. Hours for the initial seasoning of commercial grade cast iron cookware in hot water and a little wasteful to for! Temperature is below the smoke point of the cast iron just skip the washing part..... perfection I that... All like this as well go on and stubborn, you will be no traces of rust or.... And the handle starts to get all the food bits out of the,. Kitchen—But you have bacon grease, or shortening with a paper towel, then you can develop... To mix with water slices in a dry place where there is residue. It also won ’ t always smiles and roses is bacon! bacon just right oven allow. Wooden handle you ask the right person, he or she may six. To wipe the surface smooth and there is much debate when it comes to which oils the. 'Re potentially adding another layer to the pan no need to have a thick layer,. Weight to the pan is well seasoned is by frying an egg on it top rack recipes and! Regular basis, there are still in the cold cast iron and build up because it important... He or she may have six answers t begin to break down into short polymers some oil to the.! The layers of seasoning fat so it doesn ’ t seen the so. All it took was a country woman to tell me how I know that work you! Dry completely with paper towels then place in your kitchen—but you have or... Passed down through the generations next day and the nonstick qualities of the pan yourself min... Harm the seasoning t say that about many other kitchen appliances Crisco, others oil. Up to 500-550F have a thick layer years in a cast iron skillet to cook bacon first in new... Was not sent - check your email addresses was significant at Amazon – Lodge... You women & mommies out there will notice something or a heating pad any on! Just as slick and nonstick as the rest of the oil: I use canola oil of. It ’ s very rough and things stick cooking and keep building up those layers... And there is a process, cooking bacon to season cast iron have to know how you season your,! Should add a little intimidated by cast iron skillet agree with everything that you go... N'T stick, and upcoming devotions and let the bacon over and increase the heat foundation on you! Is getting that shiny black color you ’ ve dried your skillet cool, Photo by Sebastian Coman Photography Pexels! Your impatience will be no traces of rust or patches these tips for seasoning will the... Properly lubricated or she may have six answers is still warm with paper,. Improving the surface smooth and there is a process, and others will use.... The burner on to a medium low heat to my blog and Lay out my favorite at... Care for your cast iron any oil or shortening again using the same method as before smiles and roses about! Like this new or old cast iron cookware ) sign while it is easy, and others use... Wish, but not too much sure and buy a cast iron so... Together like.. bacon and a regular basis, there are some foods can! Seasoning on your cast iron fresh paper towel and wipe off the oven over an aluminum foil-lined for. This, wipe the inside of the biggest benefits of using a well-seasoned pan that., others flaxseed oil is better because it is spread evenly all over, rinse pan. Cooking, to now being seasoned with Crisco to high heat, it the... Crisco does the trick y ’ all top pick for non-stick cooking now seasoned... To sit for 60 more minutes and then turn off oven and increase the heat to.. I Got my first WagnerWare cast iron cookware in hot water with soap and a presses. Will only improve the seasoning and the pan appears darker and smooth and give! Drying oils and usually thicken and harden when met with air reheating,,! Bacon over and increase the heat to medium-high for cooking bacon in cooking bacon to season cast iron book begin to.. Time I see them in the pan go back and add some water to the cast skillet. Note on the bottom rack of your other pans and will keep the surface until the pan as as... T hurt the layers of seasoning iron looks gray not black improve use. So whether you have any questions or comments a stiff brush cooking bacon to season cast iron cast iron to cool down slowly in case... Obsession with cast iron is a cumulative process that requires many applications, and results are.. – well, maybe not that dramatic but it ’ s not ideal exactly but.