How to Season Stainless Steel Pans

Things You Need:

• Stainless steel cookware
• Paper towels
• Dish soap
• Stove or oven

While most cooks know that you need to season your food before it will taste good, new cooks might not know that you can also season your pots and pans. Seasoning is a process in which you prepare a pan or other cookware before you use it for the first time. When you season stainless steel pots and pans, you are filling the pores of the pan's surface with carbonized oil, which blocks the oxidation process and therefore keeps the cookware from rusting or pitting. In addition, seasoning helps to prevent food from sticking to the pan. The following steps will teach you how to season and protect your stainless steel pots and pans so they will last longer and work better.

Seasoning Stainless Steel Pans:

1. Wash the pan thoroughly to remove any packing residue. Use hot water and soap and let the pan dry thoroughly.

2. Coat your pan to the rim with vegetable oil. Peanut oil is one of the best oils to season with as it has a high smoking point. Use your fingers to spread the oil thoroughly around the pan.

3. Heat the oil. You can do this on the stove top or in an oven. On the stove, heat the pan on medium heat until the oil starts smoking. Or, heat the pan in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour.

4. Remove the pan from the heat source. For stove-top seasoning, remove the pan from the heat when the oil starts smoking. For oven seasoning, remove the pan from the oven after an hour as passed. Let the pan cool completely before wiping the excess oil from the pan with a paper towel.

Stainless Steel Pots and Pans Tips:

1. Wash seasoned pots and pans in hot water only. If you must use soap, use a very mild brand and re-season the pan before using it.

2. Harsh soaps, such as those used in dishwashers, will remove the seasoning from a stainless steel pan or even damage some pans.