Best Oil For Seasoning Cast Iron-Top 13
We all know the importance of seasoning cast iron cookware. It prevents iron from rust and stickiness and iron remains effective and lasts longer. Now the obvious question is out of all the oils which is the best oil for seasoning cast iron? Well, all cooking oils like vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, grapeseed oil, and others can be used but what matters the most is, it should have a high smoke point.
Most of the pans in the store already come pre-seasoned but for best results season it before you start using it and after that, you just need to put oil when you make your recipe and it will get better over time.
But scrubbing the pan or excess heating impacts the performance of the cast iron. Also, acidic foods like wine, vinegar hampers the performance as well. So always clean the pan with warm water and soap lather.
After cleaning it let it dry and then put a thin layer of oil before keeping it. If the pan is new, fry or roast veggies or meat initially for a couple of days.
Let’s look at the list of the
Best Oil To Season Cast Iron
1.Grapeseed Oil
Out of all the oils, experts suggest grapeseed oil is certainly the best for seasoning cast iron because apart from having a high smoke point it has a low saturated fat content. It has a neutral odor and affordable too.
With a smoke point of 420°F, it is one of the healthiest oils out there. Since it has a neutral aroma it does not make any changes to the taste of the recipe you are making.
Because of high polyunsaturated fats in grapeseed oil, the coating has high durability.
I love to use it for salad dressing too.
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2.Soybean Oil
With a high smoke point of 453°F soybean oil is also good for cast iron seasoning. It contains healthy fats, it is quite inexpensive too.
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3.Flaxseed Oil
It is one of the good choices but it has a low smoke point of 226°F and has a strong odor. But you have to do the seasoning multiple times. The best thing about flaxseed oil is, it dries out naturally. It is not found everywhere, only in selected stores like health food stores.
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4.Avocado Oil
Since it has a high smoke point of 520°F you have to preheat the pan to this temperature which is very high. This high temperature can be quite risky. Avocado oil has a number of health benefits like it has healthy fats and contains antioxidants. On the flip side, it is expensive. The best thing about avocado oil is, the flavor is neutral.
Because of its high smoke point it is easy for frying, roasting. I like to use it for salad dressing too.
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5.Peanut Oil
It is one of the most popular oil. With a smoke point of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, it is mostly used for deep frying. I love to make skillet-fried chicken using peanut oil. But you have to be very careful if you are serving a person who has a peanut allergy. It is easily available mid-range oil, not pricey.
6.Butter Or Ghee
If you are using butter to season your cast iron make sure the butter is salt-free. With butter, the taste of the food enhances. Similarly, you can use ghee as well, it has a higher smoke point of around 475°F.
The main advantage of using butter or ghee is you don’t have to put layers of seasoning. These have saturated fats. The disadvantage is you will not have the even seasoning on the pan but eventually, it will look even if you continue to cook this way.
7.Bacon Fat
Whenever you make bacon keep the bacon fat grease in a container. Bacon grease has a high smoke point of 374°F. You can store the grease in the refrigerator too.
It is one of the best cast iron seasoning oil.
8.Coconut Oil
The price is affordable and it is good for health too. It has become very popular for seasoning cast iron. Since it does not have a very low smoke point, precisely 350°F, it is preferred by people who like to cook at medium temperature. If you like the smell of coconut oil in the food you can certainly go with it. It is not recommended for salad dressing.
You can use it to make prawns or shellfish.
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9.Canola Oil
It has a neutral flavor and is used in a variety of recipes. It has a high smoke point of 400°F and used in salad dressings too. Also, It is affordable and readily available. They are not very healthy as they are refined but it is a good seasoning option for cast iron.
If you will not be using your cast iron for some time then season it with canola oil.
10.Lard
It is one of the most traditional ways of seasoning cast iron. If you are not averse to use animal fat then you can surely use it. It is suggested to use the pan regularly after you using lard otherwise the pan will develop a smell. After using the pan don’t keep it in the closed cabinet otherwise it will smell bad.
It has a smoke point of 360°F.
11.Vegetable Oil
It is used in a number of recipes. The flip side is, it has low smoke point of 400°F.
12.Vegetable Shortening
Vegetable Shortening has a smoke point of 410°F and you can use it for seasoning cast iron. It is one of the best oil for cast iron seasoning.
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13.Olive Oil
Olive oil is available easily everywhere and even with a low smoke point of 374 degrees Fahrenheit, you can use it for seasoning cast iron. Olive oil is good for health too.
Read:30 Unique Foods That Starts With K
Oil Not Ideal For Seasoning Cast Iron
Corn Oil– This is not ideal for seasoning cast iron
Sunflower Oil– It has a smoke point of 450°F and is not good for seasoning cast iron.
Seasoning For
Carbon Steel-All the above oils can be used for seasoning
Dutch Oven-Don’t use oil that has strong odor like coconut oil, butter or ghee for seasoning.
Iron Grill Grate– All the above-mentioned oils can be used for seasoning. Coat the grill with the oil and heat it for 60 minutes and then let it cool, repeat it at least four times.
How To Season Or Re-Season Cast Iron
You need to re-season the iron from time to time to make the nonstick quality intact but do it only when required. When there is stickiness or rustiness or dry patches, it’s time to re-season.
Wash the pan with soapy water and then let it dry properly.
Put a small coat of vegetable oil and preheat at 325°F.
Heat the pan for 60 minutes upside down to make sure it is dried completely and now it is re-seasoned and with regular usage, it will have higher durability.
How To Find If Cast Iron Is Seasoned Properly
It won’t be greasy if you touch the pan, there will be no stickiness and there will be no rust.
What do you think of the list of best oil for seasoning cast iron? Which oil will you prefer?
Let me know. I would love you response.
