Beginner’s Guide to Cast Iron
This post contains affiliate links to products I love ♥ See my full disclaimer here!
You have a new cast iron skillet; now what? In this post, this Beginner’s Guide to Cast Iron will give you the breakdown of how easy it is to cook, clean & care for your cast iron cookware.

A while back, I shared a post on cast iron care, and there have been a lot of questions & myths floating around; I want to help you better understand the do’s & don’ts with your cast iron pans. The good news is that this Beginner’s Guide to Cast Iron will help you face your fears and answer all your questions so you can start cooking on cast iron that has been used for centuries.

Whatever type of cookware you use, a cast-iron skillet is a must in the kitchen for easy cooking. Once you start searing up that steak or grilling up some seasoned vegetables, you will wonder why you haven’t had cast iron cookware in the kitchen sooner. When I inherited my cast iron from my grandparents, I never used another type of stainless steel or Teflon skillets again. It was by far the best choice I had ever made when it came to my cookware. This Beginner’s Guide to Cast Iron will answer all the common questions to get you started with cast iron cooking.
FAQ Beginners Guide to Cast Iron
What type of stovetop is best for cast iron?
Just keep a few things in mind, and you can cook with your cast iron on any type of stove. A glass-top stove can be easily scratched when sliding your skillet to another burner because the bottom of the cast iron cookware has a rough finish. However, Cast iron pans are incredibly versatile. They can be used on a gas stovetop, electric stovetop, ovens, and open flames.
Can you season cast iron daily?
If you find your skillets looking dry, yes, you can. Whenever I cook in my skillets, I will season them only if needed. It’s essential to want to keep that non-stick coating on your cast-iron skillet. Below are my daily methods for seasoning my skillets.
- Wash your skillet in hot soapy water.
- Once you have a clean cast iron skillet, towel-dry your skillet.
- Place the skillet on a medium-high heat burner to get it thoroughly dried.
- Take a lint-free towel and a dab of Crisco lard or a little bit of oil and rub all over the skillet; there isn’t any oil residue on your skillet. Careful, it’s hot!
Do I have to wash my cast iron every time I am done cooking in it?
The main thing to remember is that you add more flavor to the seasoning every time you cook in your cast iron.
How do you cook in cast iron for the first time?
Before you use your skillet for the first time, you want to wash and preseason it. Although it comes preseasoned, still take the time to do the process again to create another protective layer on your new pan.
What do you do first with a new cast iron pan?
The first thing you want to do is prepare for it your seasoning. What does that mean exactly? Well, even though the skillets you purchase new does come already seasoned. However, you want to add your layer of seasoning. Below are step-by-step instructions to get you started.
Note: If you have a crusted or rusted cast iron, it may need to be stripped to bare iron.

Step by Step Instructions for preparing your new cast iron for seasoning in the oven.
1. Wash your cast iron with soap & warm water, and towel dry
2. Place on burner on medium heat to dry thoroughly.
3. With a lint-free towel, coat the skillet with a generous thin layer of oil or lard.
4. Continuously wipe the skillet inside and out, including the handle.
5. Pre-heat oven to 200 F.
6. Once the oven is preheated, place a baking sheet or large piece of foil at the bottom rack in the oven.
7. Place the cast iron skillet upside down for about 10 minutes.
8. Take the skillet out and up to a high temperature of 500 F.
9. Now, take a clean lint-free paper towel, add a generous amount of oil/lard, and do the same process as stated in #4. Do not leave any excess oil residue. Wipe the skillet until completely dried.
10. Place the skillet upside down on the top rack and let it heat at 500 F for about an hour.
11. After an hour, turn off the oven until cooled down. If you remove it from the oven, remove it carefully and let it cool.
12. Now you have a seasoned skillet ready to cook in. Repeat this cycle once or twice a year.
Note: Your kitchen will get nice and toasty; the best time to season your skillets in the oven is during winter. Also, it will get smokey, so be sure to open the windows.
The more you use your cast iron cookware, you will create more layers of seasoning. However, you will find that daily use of your skillets is the best way to make that beautiful non-stick surface by adding a small amount of vegetable oil.

How to maintain Preseasoned Cast Iron Cookware?
Skillets do not need to be oiled every time you are done cooking in them; however, you want to keep your skillets having a non-stick surface, and by doing this, you need to give your cast iron proper care. Once you are done using your skillet, rinse it in hot water. If you have some stuck-on debris, use a scraper to scrape off any food residue. If the food wipes off easily, there is no need to wash or rinse your skillet. Simply take a lint-free towel and wipe clean.
*NOTE: Never put a hot skillet under cold water; you will crack your skillet!
Can I use soap to wash my cast iron?
There are misconceptions that you should never use dish soap to wash your skillets. If you asked my grandmother or my great aunts, they would say absolutely not. But times have changed where dish soap is made with mild ingredients and will not harm your cast iron cookware; all it takes is a little soap. So it is absolutely safe to clean your skillets with dish soap!
How do I remove stuck-on particles of food?
There are a few different ways you can do this. The easiest way is to use a food scraper; these can be purchased at your local store or ordered online. Another option is to take some coarse kosher salt and sprinkle it over your skillet, then take a scrub pad and rub the salt all over the skillet to loosen the food particles.
Does the skillet need to be hot before adding oil or butter?
You always heat the pan before adding any oil or butter. This will help ensure a non-stick surface.

What is the best oil to season cast iron?
You want to use an effective oil with a high smoke point, such as shortening, vegetable oil, or canola oil. However, all cooking oils and fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil can be used to season your cast iron that is right for you. Crisco vegetable shortening has always been my go-to ideal choice for seasoning my skillets as this is what I have been used to by my parents & grandparents have always used.
What is the black stuff coming off cast iron?
They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils. Using an oil with a low smoke point will carbonize at high temperatures and cause residue from the pores of your pan to rub off onto your food. While unappealing, they won’t hurt you in such a small amount.
Can I use steel wool to scrub cast iron cookware?
It’s not recommended as it can strip the seasoning. However, if you have stubborn leftover food that will not come off, then you can. You can clean your skillet with just a little water and a Lodge Chainmail Scrubber. Just be sure to follow the simple rules for proper seasoning.
Where can I find old cast iron?
You may be able to find them at a thrift store or at a yard sale for reasonable prices. Just be careful with old cast iron. If you find n old piece, you want to ensure it’s lead-free. You can purchase a lead test at your local home improvement store.

Are there harmful chemicals in cast iron?
Cast iron pans are safe to use. But they can leach iron, which is a strong pro-oxidant. You should learn more about cast iron safety if you are genetically at risk for iron overload. However, cooking with cast iron may be dangerous for men and post-menopausal women who already have high iron levels, determined through blood testing.
What are the health benefits of cast iron?
- No Nasty Chemicals
- Iron Supplementation
- Foods taste better
8 Ways to ruin your Cast-Iron Skillet
- Putting it in the dishwasher
- Soaking it in water
- Forgetting to add oil between uses
- Leaving stubborn foods caked on
- Storing it with caked-on oil
- Not drying it on the stove after cleaning it.
- Put a hot skillet under cold water.
- Not using good seasoning.
The cast-Iron pan heats up faster than most other skillets and will hold the heat very well; before adding food into your skillet, you want to get it hot, then add your oil or butter. Once your oils are hot or melted, add your ingredients and turn the heat down to medium-low. There is no need to cook your food on high as medium-low will keep your food from burning, as you will find that you will get excellent results. You will also find that it is a versatile pan because you can use your skillets for baking and roasting in the oven. Baking cakes, brownies, pies, breads, and so much more in your cast iron pans!

Also, food with high sugar content will stick to an iron pan; Bacon will leave some sugar stuck on the pan, but it is an excellent way to help the seasoning process along is to fry some bacon. Furthermore, make sure you save that bacon grease for recipes.
Common Names of Cast Iron
- Griswold
- Wagner
- Lodge
- Wapak
- Stargazer
- Blacklock
- Lancaster
- Smithey
- le Creuset
Can I season a skillet on an open fire?
Cast iron is highly versatile and is safe to cook in an open flame. However, it is best to use a well-seasoned pan so you do not risk the chance of leaching harmful chemicals or unpleasant flavors from your food.
I see rust bits, is my skillet ruined?
No, it is not ruined. Most believe it’s the popular belief to trash the cast iron because of little rust. All you have to do is take a brillo pad and scrub the rusted area until the rust is removed, then reseason your skillet and follow the directions for the oven method for seasoning.
Can you use PAM on cast iron for cooking or seasoning?
Do not try to use non-stick sprays like Pam to season your cast iron skillet, as they contain other ingredients that aren’t good for your pan.
Can I bake in cast iron?
Absolutely, you can! If you have never had homemade banana bread in a cast iron loaf pan, then you are in for a treat. Just be mindful that cast iron retains heat, and you always pre-heat your cast iron cookware first in the oven before adding your recipe. You always want to have your cooking temperatures at least 50 degrees less depending on your heating source, as it may vary.

Baking tip: Using Baker’sJoy with a sprinkle of flour will help release your baked goods from the cast iron when you’re finished.
What is not recommended to cook in cast iron?
You can cook just about anything in cast iron; however, If you are cooking acidic foods such as tomato sauce, vinegar, and lemon-based sauces, they may cause your food to take on a metallic taste from your pan. Also, with cooking any sort of fish, you want to designate a skillet just for cooking fish, as using the same pan can cause recipes to take on the flavor of fish.
Why are my eggs sticking to the skillet?
It could be a number of things; for instance, If your food sticks to the skillet, it’s either not appropriately seasoned, there’s not enough fat being cooked in it, or you have the pan on the wrong heat temperature.

Pros & Cons Cast Iron
The pros are that it enhances the flavored of your recipes. It also is so versatile and last for generations. The cons are that depending on the size of your cast iron, it can be heavy, and it also takes some time to care for and season your cast iron.
In Closing:
Once you start to get the hang of using cast iron, you will ask yourself, why haven’t I used cast iron all this time? I grew up with my family using it, so it became second nature. Now my children will carry on the tradition of cast iron cooking, and they have become very good at cooking, cleaning & caring for cast iron. I feel so humbled that I am now cooking in cast iron that once belonged to my mother & grandmother; the same cast iron they prepared meals in when I was a young girl. Are you ready to start using cast iron? You made a good choice! I hope this post helps you to get started!
Happy cooking y’all,
If you want to follow along on our home restoration/renovation plans and all of our exciting antique & thrift finds, be sure to check out Linen and Wildflowers on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive updates.
I’ve been using cast iron now for about 5 years. Will never go back to a regular, or what is called a regular pan( Teflon). If you look through news stories, they are now saying that the forever chemicals in them are causing the big C. Plus the cast iron just makes the food taste like you’re tasting something for the first time. And it’s always delicious. I was also afraid that I wouldn’t be able to take care of it right. But with practice and perseverance, it’s just it’s easy peezy. Thank you for your time consuming work. Appreciate it. Have a great day!
Does it matter what cooking utensils you use with cast iron? I’m new to this and in all my reading I haven’t come across an answer to that question
I use wood or metal. However, if you use plastic, be mindful that they may melt. If you choose to use metal, don’t gauge in the cast iron as it can damage it.