cast iron skillet

[kabs]

I just got a brand new one and followed the directions for seasoning it- and now I don't know if I did it right. It's all sticky! I warmed it up and coated it with vegetable shortening and then put it in a 350 degree oven for about 35 minutes. Then it started to smell really bad- irony and burnt at the same time. I took it out of the oven and wiped it out, but there are brown stains in it.

Someone told me that if you season a cast iron skillet the right way, food won't stick to it when you cook. This think feels so sticky right now I can't imagine food not sticking to it!

Any advice? Did I do this wrong- and if so, how do I fix it?

[daner94]

The way I was taught in one of my cooking classes in college was to do this--

take salt and oil, and while the pan is on a low heat, rub the salt and oil into the pan, using round twisty motions, pretty hard, until it is uniformly coated.

I have never heard of baking the pan in the oven, though.

[SusanT]

It usually takes at least an hour in the oven to season the pan. You may have taken it out too early. Most cast iron will need a period of active cooking on it to completely season it.

[kabs]

susanT and daner94- thanks for your help.

So, do you think I should try to season it again or just go ahead and cook on it? Also, after I cook on it, I should coat it will oil or shortening, right?

[sneezles]

kabs,
Did you wash it with soap and plastic scouring pad before you seasoned it? New pans have a coating to protect them from rusting while sitting on the store shelf. And Susan is right about it taking at least an hour in the oven. My new ones I leave overnight in the oven that is set at 250º. Depending on the size of the pan you can also season on the stove. If you washed it before seasoning then you can use the pan but be very sure that the pan has had time to heat before you put any food in it to cook. And more than likely the first few times you use it something may stick but just rinse under hot water and use a plastic scrubber if necessary then place on the burner and heat until just about smoking. Then wipe with oil, I usually pour a bit in the pan and then rub with a wad of paper towels.

[LaraW]

I remember when I had a new cast iron skillet that it smelled funny when I seasoned it. I would start over - rub it with oil and put it in the oven for an hour. I still usually spray with cooking spray when I cook in it.

Also, when you wash it, don't use soap directly on it. I usually wash the cast iron last, and just use whatever soap is left in my scrubber/dishwater.