{"id":692279,"date":"2018-06-23T02:24:51","date_gmt":"2018-06-23T02:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/origin-www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=collection&p=692279"},"modified":"2025-05-07T12:37:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T17:37:11","slug":"cast-iron-cooking-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"listicle","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/collection\/cast-iron-cooking-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Mistakes You’re Making With Your Cast-Iron Skillet"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Old-fashioned<\/div>\r\nThe cast-iron skillet<\/a> is the workhorse of many a dedicated home cook, and for good reason. Constructed in one seamless piece of metal, it's virtually indestructible, conducts heat extremely efficiently and, when seasoned properly, has a nonstick surface that even fried eggs will slip right off of. There's almost nothing a cast iron skillet can't do\u2014just look at these amazing one pan meals<\/a>\u2014but you have to treat your pan right. Learn what the most common cast iron mistakes are and how to fix them.\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"Cast-iron<\/div>\r\n

You don't understand seasoning<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nYou know all that talk about \"seasoning\" a cast-iron skillet? It's not just talk. <\/em>Seasoning refers to a layer of polymerized oil that has been baked onto the surface. Seasoning makes your skillet release food easily, clean up quickly and remain stain- and rust-free. Some cast-iron skillets, including those made by Lodge<\/a>, come pre-seasoned. You'll notice they have a smooth, non-greasy, softly lacquered surface. Those that don't come pre-seasonsed have a matte gray finish\u2014until you season them, at which point they become shiny and closer to black in color. However, even if your skillet comes pre-seasoned, for best results right out of the box, consider seasoning it yourself before you use it.\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"Frying<\/div>\r\n

You're not seasoning the skillet right<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nIf you're just swiping a layer of oil onto the surface of your skillet, you're not seasoning your cast-iron correctly. Seasoning involves a chemical reaction made possible through heat. In a nutshell, here is how to season your cast-iron skille<\/a>t<\/a>:\r\n