How To Season Cast Iron With Coconut Oil

With the new innovation in the food industry. Many old techniques and utensils either evolved or disappeared. The One, which is still not evolved or disappeared is the “Cast Iron Utensils”. Still, many are discussing the best way of seasoning the cast iron. Debating about why or why not to season cast iron with coconut oil? Let us discuss the Cast iron utensils and the seasoning process we need to perform to make it non-stick and smooth.

Cast iron utensils are widely liked by people around the globe. Cooking in these utensils you get a high amount of good iron in your diet. This makes the food healthy and tasty. The food made from these utensils can be easily distinguished from the food made from other utensils. 

To make these utensils non-stick, we have to season them using a different oil. Now, the question arises which oil is necessary and why is it necessary to smooth the Cast iron utensils?

First, let me explain the seasoning process. In this, initially, the Cast iron or carbon steel with a rough surface is treated with oil on the surface. And after polishing oil on the surface it is baked for hours. After baking the oil burns and gets polymerised and gets stuck with the rough surface. This prevents the utensils from rusting and makes the surface smooth and shiny. Here is how to season cast iron with coconut oil.

Now, because of its ease in availability and low price, we are considering Coconut oil and to understand more about the reasons to season cast iron with coconut oil. let’s discuss the following things:

Contents

Does cast iron need to be smooth?

This is the very commonly asked question you can find on the internet. And the answer is yes. To make it more non-stick, a smooth surface is needed. And, the rough surface can be made smooth by the process called seasoning. 

The unseasoned Cast iron pans go through rusting and are vulnerable to cooking using acidic ingredient such as lemon, tomatoes, etc. It also makes it non-stick and if not smoothen then the food gets stick to it while cooking. Here is how to season cast iron with coconut oil.

Can you season carbon steel with coconut oil?

The answer is “Yes”. As the smoke point of coconut oil is higher up to 232-degree celsius. If you like the taste and smell of it, you can use it for seasoning. After seasoning, the Pan turns nice brown. This process only requires a little amount of oil.

Carbon Steel is usually not preferred to be seasoned with coconut oil but, due to the popularity, taste and many medical benefits, it is used for the same. Vegetarians usually like to use it as it gives them an alternative of seasoning with bacon fat or other animal yield oils.

Season cast iron with unrefined coconut oil

Now, we can see two types of coconut oil present in the market. Namely, unrefined and refined coconut oil. It is advised not to use the unrefined one as it has a lower smoke point (around 350-degree Fahrenheit). 

Normally, during cooking at a high temperature. You can see little iron flakes mixed with the food. With that, unrefined coconut oil is mostly unliked because of its odour. It leaves that coconut odour and taste in the food when cooked. Here is how to season cast iron with coconut oil.

Season a cast iron pan with coconut oil

With so many uses of coconut oil, it is also used for the seasoning of cast iron utensils. And this process is loved by people who are vegetarians. As they don’t cook any animal fat. Also, by using refined coconut oil you can avoid having that coconut fragrance in your food.

 This is because the refined oil is made from dried coconut. It is filtered and deodorized. As a result, it barely retains its old characteristics. This makes it very apt for cooking and seasoning.   

How to season a new cast iron skillet with coconut oil?

To season a cast iron with coconut oil one needs to follow these steps:

1) The Oven should be preheated to 325-degree celsius. While the oven is being preheated, wash the Pan until it gets neat clean and then dries it.

2) After drying it, put a little amount of coconut oil on the pan and using either tissue or cotton spread it evenly on the surface of the Pan.

3) Now some people do it on both sides, that is on the inside and the outside.

4) Now, put a foil at the bottom of the oven to collect extra oil. Also, put the Pan inverted in the oven for about 80-90 mins.

5) Leave it for at least an hour when baking is done in the oven. Now, your pan is seasoned. 

Re-seasoning cast iron with coconut oil

The Re-seasoning is done when the layer of the seasoning washes off or chip off from the surface. So, for re-seasoning, we just need to scrub all the residue of the last seasoning and follow the seasoning process once again.

Can you re-season cast iron with coconut oil?

Keeping in mind that the seasoning needs to be a recurring process. It has to be done after some time when the PAN becomes sticky again. And due to its ease in seasoning coconut oil is preferred.

FAQs

1) How can you tell if cast iron is seasoned?

Ans. By touching the surface, whether it is smooth or not. If it is smooth it is seasoned.

2) What is the best oil to season a carbon steel pan?

Ans. Soybean oil or grapeseed oil are considered best.

3) Is bacon grease good for seasoning cast iron?

Ans. Yes, as it gives a shiny look and you can do it with cooking.

4) Is coconut oil good for seasoning cast iron?

Ans. Yes, it is believed as vegans prefer it and are very easy to season.

5) What is the best oil to use for seasoning cast iron?

Ans. Grapeseed oil, with smoke point around 420-degree Fahrenheit.

6) Can you season cast iron multiple times?

Ans. Yes, for putting a thick layer of seasoning for using it in a long run.

Also, check out How Long Does Cooked Quinoa Last , Rec Tec vs Traeger , The Best Japanese Knife Sets and Can You Have a Garbage Disposal With a Septic Tank? to know more about these common questions.

Kelly Anne

Kelly Anne

Hey there, I am Kelly Anne. Thank you for being here. Hope you like the website and it was helpful. I am a working mother of 2. I love to cook and feed people. My hobbies include cooking (obviously), reading, and rock climbing.

With so many machines and accessories in the market to help you cook it become quite overwhelming to choose from. I own a lot of these kitchen equipments and tried out the others. I want the best for my kitchen and I am helping you find the best for yours.

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