The Secret To Making Your Wrought Iron Pan Non-Stick

Wrought iron pans are not naturally non-stick, but they can be made so through a process called seasoning. Seasoning involves coating the pan with cooking oil or grease and then heating it to bond the oil to the pan. This creates a non-stick finish. However, this finish is not permanent and will need to be reapplied every 6-12 months. The process of seasoning can be time-consuming and may smoke up your home, so it is important to keep your hood range vent on and open a window if needed. Additionally, the more you use a wrought iron pan, the more non-stick it will become over time.

Clean the pan with baking soda and water

To clean a wrought iron pan with baking soda and water, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. You can do this by scraping away any remaining food with a spatula or scraper.

Next, make a paste by covering the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of baking soda and adding a small amount of water. The amount of water added will depend on the size of the pan, but aim for a paste with a consistency similar to sand. You can adjust by adding more baking soda or water as needed.

Now, let the mixture sit for a few hours or even overnight. The longer you leave it, the more effective it will be at breaking down burnt-on food and tough stains.

After letting the paste sit, add a little more baking soda and scrub the pan with a stiff-bristled brush or scouring pad. Be sure to avoid using soap or a scrub that contains soap, as this can damage the pan's seasoning. Instead, use a brush or pad designed for cast iron, such as a Scotch Brite or Brillo pad.

Scrub the pan vigorously to remove any remaining food or stains. If necessary, you can repeat the process, but keep in mind that the more you scrub, the more seasoning you will remove.

Once you're satisfied, rinse the pan with water to remove any remaining debris and paste. Your pan is now clean and ready to be seasoned or used again.

By following these steps, you can effectively clean your wrought iron pan using baking soda and water, removing burnt-on food and stains while preserving the pan's seasoning.

Use a high smoke point oil

To make a wrought iron pan non-stick, it is important to use a high smoke point oil. Smoke point refers to the temperature at which the oil starts to smoke and break down. The most effective temperatures for seasoning cast iron are between 400-500 degrees Fahrenheit, so you will need an oil with a high smoke point to withstand those temperatures.

Avocado oil, for example, has a smoke point of around 500 degrees Fahrenheit and is a good choice for seasoning cast iron. It is also a healthier option and has a neutral flavour, making it versatile for other uses such as making salad dressings.

Other oils with high smoke points include vegetable oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, and peanut oil. These oils are great for multipurpose cooking and can be used for everything from sautéing to baking.

When seasoning your wrought iron pan, it is important to heat the oil past its smoke point. This will create a chemical reaction called polymerization, which bonds the oil to the pan and creates a layer of natural seasoning. This process results in a non-stick surface that protects the pan from rust and makes it easier to clean.

To season your pan, start by scrubbing off any stuck-on residues and thoroughly drying the pan. Then, rub a small amount of high smoke point oil over the entire surface, creating a thin and even layer. After that, place the pan upside down in an oven preheated to 25 degrees Fahrenheit above the oil's smoke point. Let the pan bake for about an hour, then turn off the heat and let it cool in the oven so that the oil can fully polymerize.

By using a high smoke point oil and following the proper seasoning technique, you can effectively create a non-stick surface on your wrought iron pan.

Bake the skillet at 25°F above the oil's smoke point

To make a bare cast iron skillet non-stick, you must first thoroughly clean and dry the pan. Then, apply a thin, even layer of a high smoke point oil. The smoke point of an oil is the temperature at which it will start to burn and smoke, which can impart an acrid, burnt flavour to your food.

Once you have coated the pan, bake the skillet at 25°F above the oil's smoke point for one hour. This process will allow the oil to fully polymerize and create a non-stick surface. It is important to allow the pan to cool in the oven so that the oil can properly polymerize.

Different oils have different smoke points. For example, the smoke point of coconut oil is 350°F, while avocado oil has a smoke point of 520°F. Therefore, depending on the oil you use, the temperature at which you bake your skillet will vary.

It is also important to note that the smoke point of an oil can decrease each time it reaches its smoke point, so if you plan on reusing your cooking oil, it will have a lower heat tolerance.

Preheat the pan before adding oil

Preheating your pan before adding oil is a crucial step in ensuring your food doesn't stick to the surface. This is because, as a pan heats up, the metal surface expands, closing up any pores or imperfections that the oil could seep into. This creates a smoother surface for your food to sit on, reducing the chance of it sticking.

It's important to note that different metals have different pore structures. For example, stainless steel pans have tiny pores that shrink as the pan heats up, causing food to stick. Cast iron pans, on the other hand, have larger pores that expand with heat, reducing the likelihood of food sticking.

Additionally, preheating your pan before adding oil helps to evaporate any water that may be present, which can also impact the stickiness of the pan. If you add oil to a cold pan, it will be exposed to heat for a longer period, which can cause the oil to break down faster and affect the taste of your food.

To know when your pan is ready for oil, perform the water test. Simply add a drop of water to the pan. If it sizzles and glides around the pan, the temperature is ideal, and you can add your oil. If the water just sits there, you need higher heat. If it darts around the pan, reduce the heat.

Once your pan is at the right temperature, add your oil and spread it evenly across the cooking surface. This will help create a non-stick barrier between the pan and your food, further reducing the chances of sticking.

Use butter or oil when cooking

When cooking with a wrought iron pan, it is important to use butter or oil to prevent food from sticking. While a wrought iron pan is not naturally non-stick, using butter or oil when cooking can help create a non-stick surface.

Firstly, preheat your pan. This is an important step as it ensures even heating. Place your wrought iron pan on a burner that is similar in size to the pan and heat gradually. Cast iron holds heat, so it is not necessary to use a heat setting above medium.

Once your pan is preheated, add a little oil or fat. You can use a variety of oils, such as grapeseed, olive, vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. It is important to use an oil with a high smoke point, as this will create a more durable non-stick surface. If you are using butter, it is best to start by adding a little oil to the pan first and then adding butter just before you add your food. This is because butter has a lower smoke point and can burn more easily.

When cooking with oil, it is important to heat the oil until it starts to smoke slightly. This indicates that the oil has reached the correct temperature and has begun to polymerize, creating a non-stick surface. Once the oil is smoking, turn off the heat and allow the pan to cool completely. This process will help to create a non-stick surface that will last for several meals.

In addition to using butter or oil, there are other things you can do to minimize food sticking. Always make sure your pan is clean before cooking and dry any ingredients before adding them to the pan. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can cause a drop in temperature and lead to sticking.

Frequently asked questions