Have you ever wondered if you can use canola oil to season your cast iron pans? You’re not alone. If you Google this subject, you’ll find a lot of articles that claim you shouldn’t use canola oil to season your cast iron. And if that wasn’t enough, some people say that using vegetable oil to season your cast iron is going to permanently damage the seasoning on your pan! Let’s take a look at what is fact and what is fiction about using canola oil as a seasoning for cast iron.
Can You Use Canola Oil To Season Cast Iron?
Absolutely! Canola oil is a popular choice among home cooks and professional chefs when it comes to seasoning cast iron cookware. In fact, you can use any type of oil with a high smoke point, such as grapeseed, peanut, or vegetable oils.
What Causes Seasoning In Cast Iron?
1. Heating:
Seasoning is caused by the thermal reaction of oil and cast iron that occurs when they are heated together. As the oil breaks down, a polymerized layer of carbonized fat develops on the surface of the cast iron. This layer helps protect against rust and helps food not to stick to the pan.
2. Oil:
The type of oil used for seasoning can also affect the process. A cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or peanut oil, is ideal for seasoning cast iron. These oils are more resistant to oxidation and break down less quickly than other types of cooking oils.
3. Repetition:
To properly season a piece of cast iron, the process must be repeated several times. Each time more oil is added and heated until a layer of carbonized fat has formed on the surface. After each seasoning, it’s also important to store the cast iron properly to avoid rusting.
4. Temperature:
The temperature at which you season your cast iron can also affect how well it is seasoned. A higher temperature will create a thicker layer of carbonized fat, while a lower temperature may not provide enough heat to form the polymerized layer. Generally, it’s best to season at around 375 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal results.
5. Use:
Finally, the amount and type of use that your cast iron sees can affect its seasoning. Using a cast iron pan often and washing it properly with hot water helps to maintain the layer of carbonized fat that forms during seasoning. On the other hand, if your pan is not used often or is washed incorrectly, the seasoning may start to break down more quickly.
6. Seasoning Mixture:
A few companies have developed seasoning mixtures that can be used to season cast iron. These special blends of oils and natural waxes help create a smoother polymerized layer on the surface of the cast iron and offer greater protection against rust.
What Is The Difference Between Canola Oil And Cast Iron?
1. Canola Oil:
Canola oil is a vegetable oil derived from the rapeseed plant and is considered to be one of the healthiest cooking oils available. It’s rich in monounsaturated fats and has a neutral flavor, making it perfect for baking, sautéing, and stir-frying. Additionally, canola oil has a high smoke point and is less likely to break down when exposed to heat, making it great for use in deep-frying.
2. Cast Iron:
Cast iron is an alloy of iron and carbon that’s used to make cookware such as skillets and dutch ovens. It’s extremely durable and retains heat, allowing food to cook evenly. Additionally, it can be used on any type of cooking surface—including electric and gas stoves, ovens, and grills—and some cast iron pieces can even be put in the oven for baking. Since cast iron is non-stick when properly seasoned with oil or fat, it’s also great for making omelettes and other egg dishes.
3. Difference:
The primary difference between canola oil and cast iron is the type of cooking they’re used for. Canola oil is primarily used as a cooking oil, while cast iron is used to make cookware. Additionally, canola oil has a neutral flavor, while cast iron takes on flavor from whatever it’s cooked with.
Why Won’t Canola Oil Season Cast Iron?
- Canola oil has a relatively low smoke point, meaning that it will start to break down and burn at temperatures much lower than what’s required to properly season cast iron. When cooking oils break down, they produce smoke which can affect the flavor of your food and leave behind residue on your cast iron pan.
- Another reason why canola oil won’t season cast iron is because it has a high amount of moisture. This means that when the oil is applied to the hot surface of the pan, much of it will evaporate before it has had a chance to properly adhere and form a protective layer.
- Finally, canola oil contains large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are more prone to oxidation than other types of fats, which may make it difficult for the oil to adhere properly and form a durable seasoning layer on your cast iron pan.
- For these reasons, it’s best to use a high-smoke point oil with a higher amount of saturated fatty acids when seasoning cast iron. We recommend using flaxseed oil or coconut oil as these oils are more likely to stick and form a protective layer that won’t burn away quickly. Both of these oils also contain properties that can help protect against rust, making them ideal for protecting your cast iron cookware.
How To Season Cast Iron With Canola Oil
Add a bit of vegetable oil
Next, add a bit of vegetable oil to the cast iron skillet. Pour the oil slowly so that it doesn’t create any splatters as you do so. Now, let the skillet sit for a couple of hours to allow the seasoning to build up.
Rub a little cornstarch on the pan
While the cast iron skillet is sitting, lightly rub a little bit of cornstarch on the skillet. Now, pour the skillet with an additional tablespoon of canola oil. Now, sprinkle a little bit of cornstarch on the skillet and whisk it lightly with the oil. Rub the cornstarch lightly on the surface of the cast iron skillet with your hand. Repeat this step until you feel the cast iron skillet is well seasoned.
Heat up the skillet with some butter
Next, heat up the skillet with some butter. Pour a tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Once the butter melts, lower the heat and simmer the butter. Simmer the butter for 45 seconds and then remove the skillet from the heat. Now, leave the skillet on the stove for 10 more minutes with the butter still inside.
Wrap it in tinfoil and put in a cold oven
At this stage, take the skillet out of the stove and wrap it in a clean piece of aluminum foil. Make sure the foil is airtight so that the butter inside does not come out. Place the skillet in the refrigerator and let it sit for 10 minutes. This will help in slowing down the cooking process so that the skillet is not fully cooked during the seasoning process. Next, preheat the oven to 400F/200C/Gas 6. Place the skillet inside the oven and let it sit there for 10 more minutes. The cold temperature in the oven will slow down the cooking process.
Let it sit for 10 minutes
After 10 minutes, remove the skillet from the oven. Let the cast iron skillet sit outside of the oven for 10 more minutes. This will help in cooling down the skillet and in making the butter inside melt faster.
Remove the wrap and bake it for another 5 minutes
After 10 minutes, remove the foil and aluminium wrapping. Turn the heat back on and raise the temperature to 500F/260C/Gas 10. Let the skillet sit in the hot oven for 5 more minutes. This will further warm up the cast iron and make the seasoning process faster. Next, open the oven and let the skillet sit there for another 5 minutes. This will further warm up the cast iron and make the seasoning process faster.
Done! You just seasoned your cast iron skillet.
After seasoning your cast iron with canola oil, it’s time to make some delicious recipes with your newly seasoned skillet. Now, you can make delicious beef stroganoff, creamy polenta or any one of your favourite dishes.
Final Words
We hope this guide has helped you better understand canola oil and the benefits of using it to season cast iron. And if you have more questions about canola oil, let us know below! Now that you know how to season cast iron with canola oil, you’re probably wondering how to clean your cast iron pans. Here’s how you can clean and maintain your cast iron pans to keep them in good shape.
