How to Make Your Cast Iron Skillet Last for Years

Some links in this post may or may not be affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link I will earn a commission which supports this site.

When making the choice between a cast iron skillet or the other type of skillets on the market, a cast iron skillet will win me over every time. The reason being, cast iron pans were built to last a lifetime.

When taking care of properly a cast iron skillet can last years and even be handed down to the next generation, your children. Here are some tips to help you make sure your cast iron last for years to come.

How to Make Your Cast Iron Skillet Last for Years

Season your Cast Iron Skillet

Wash your cast iron skillet with warm soapy water so that it’s free of excess debris.
Place over heat on the stove for a little while to dry up remaining water. Rub a thin layer of healthy fat over your skillet surface.
Let sit in the oven for 4 hours at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, turn off the oven and let the cast iron skillet sit in the oven overnight.

Salt your Cast Iron Skillet

The old tradition is to use a brush to rub salt on your skillet after use. This helps remove any debris left over from cooking.
Remove the salt and use a towel to rub off any salt residue, oil your cast iron skillet and then place it in its appropriate location for storage in the kitchen.

Always Keep it Dry

Lastly, you will want to make sure that your cast iron skillet is always dry before putting it away.

If at times you use soapy water to clean it, put it on the stovetop for a bit to ensure all of the water is dried up.

Storing your cast iron skillet wet will increase the risk of it developing rust.

There you have it, a few easy to follow ways to make your cast iron skillet last for years.
If you follow these tips, you will find that your new cast iron pans and skillets last ages and become a nostalgic piece of kitchenware you can hand down to your children.