Care tips for beginners
Cast and Craft get it—cast iron can seem daunting at first. With so many opinions out there about the “right way” to care for it, it’s easy for beginners to feel stunned. But the truth is, cast iron is more adaptable than you might think. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can make it work for your lifestyle and master the art of cast iron cooking in no time.
Seasoning
Our cookware comes seasoned and ready to use. At our foundry, we coat each piece with a layer of soy-based vegetable oil and bake it at a high temperature to create a natural, easy-release finish. Gone are the days of seasoning your new cast iron at home. Just give it a quick wash, place it on the stove, add some oil, and start cooking. In fact, one of the best ways to care for your skillet is to use it regularly. Fry bacon, sear a steak, or roast your favorite veggies—each use helps build even more naturally nonstick seasoning. Ready to dive in? Explore our favorite recipes to put your new cookware to work.
Cooking
Cast iron works on any heat source—stovetop, oven, grill, even over a campfire. (More on that [here]!) But no matter where and how you’re cooking, it’s important to remember that cast iron heats differently than your typical nonstick pan—and that’s actually a good thing.
One of the most common mistakes? Cranking the heat too high. Cast iron retains heat incredibly well, so there’s no need to blast the burner to fry the perfect egg or sear a steak. In fact, lower temperatures often yield better results. Since every cooktop is a little different, we recommend starting at medium heat and adjusting as needed.
Be patient, take time to preheat your skillet, and don’t be afraid to tweak the temperature as you go.
Our top 3 cast iron cooking tips:
Preheat your pan for a couple of minutes before adding ingredients.
Use a little butter, cooking oil or ghee to keep things moving and enhance flavor.
Turn the heat down—trust us and our words, cast iron gets the job done without the high heat.
Cleaning and Care
Three words: wash, dry, oil. After cooking, let your cookware cool down, then hand wash it with warm water and a scrub brush. A little mild dish soap is totally fine—just optional.
Got a stubborn mess? Simmer some water in the pan for 3–5 minutes, then let it cool slightly before using a pan scraper to lift off stuck-on bits.
Once your cast iron cook ware is clean, dry it thoroughly and apply a light layer of oil to keep the seasoning strong and your pan protected.
Every time you cook—whether it’s frying an egg, searing a steak, or baking a pie—thin layers of oil bond to your cookware, enhancing the surface with a natural, easy-release finish that only gets better over time. That said, giving your cast iron a boost by seasoning it in the oven a few times a year can be a great way to maintain and strengthen that finish. It’s easy to do, and our downloadable Seasoning Guide makes it even easier.