Finally! The Science Behind Seasoning Cast Iron & The Best Oil To Use

Anjali Prasertong
Anjali Prasertong
Anjali Prasertong is a writer and public health dietitian focused on food systems, racial equity, and nutrition. Originally from Los Angeles, she has taught English in rural Japan, worked as a private chef in Malibu, and led an innovative city-funded corner store program in New Orleans that increased fresh food access in low-income neighborhoods. She was previously a contributing editor for The Kitchn, and currently lives in Denver with her husband and two kids.
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published Jan 10, 2013
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(Image credit: Emily Han)

There is no lack of tips and tutorials for seasoning cast iron, but very few of them actually explain the science behind the process — which is a shame, since knowing a little more about complicated-sounded scientific terms like “polymerization” and “drying oil” can help you choose the best oil for creating a hard, smooth, impermeable non-stick surface on your cast iron cookware.

Blogger Sheryl Canter has an in-depth post about the science behind seasoning cast iron, a subject she researched after being dissatisfied by the rather haphazard advice she found around the web. The key is understanding polymerization, the process by which fat molecules join together form new, longer molecules, which create the hard, smooth surface of a well-seasoned pan.

But even if a pan is seasoned carefully, its surface can still be soft and prone to scratching. This is where the concept of a “drying oil” comes in. Drying oils like linseed oil are used by artists and woodworkers because they form a tough, protective layer; edible flaxseed oil is a drying oil that can serve the same purpose in the kitchen. Canter has detailed instructions for using flaxseed oil to create a strong, smooth and long-lasting seasoning, whether you have a new pan or an imperfectly-seasoned skillet that you want to strip and season fresh.

Even if you’re just a kitchen science nerd, her article is worth a read.

• Check it out: Chemistry of Cast Iron Seasoning: A Science-Based How-To – Sheryl Canter

Have you ever tried seasoning cast iron with flaxseed oil?

Related:

What Size Cast Iron Skillet Should I Buy?

(Image: Emily Han)

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