How to Season a Carbon Steel Pan

By lorik

Ingredients

• From Milk Street Magazine

Preparation

Step 1

Wash a new carbon-steel pan with hot soapy water and a scrubber pad to remove any factory oil or wax coating.

Set the pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, then use a paper towel to spread the oil in a thin, even layer over the pan.

Leave the pan over the heat until it smokes. Hold it at this stage for 1 minute, then use a paper towel held with tongs to carefully wipe the pan clean of oil.

Repeat step 2 and 3 until the pan develops a golden patina, 3 to 5 repetitions. The pan may look blotchy.