CAST IRON COOKWARE
USE & CARE INSTRUCTIONS
SEASONING INSTRUCTIONS
Seasoning cast iron cookware is the process of coating the surface with fat or oil to produce a non-stick surface.
Seasoning also helps to prevent rust. Bayou Classic Cast Iron Cookware has been pre-seasoned for your
convenience using corn oil and is ready to use. We do recommend rinsing with warm soapy water and hand dry
before you start cooking. Also, use a little extra oil in the pan the first few times you cook to reinforce the seasoning.
Occassionally, it may be necessary to re-season your cast iron. Follow these instructions to season:
• Clean the entire unit completely. Usually, warm soapy water will accomplish this task. However, it will not
damage cast iron to use a scouring pad or stiff brush to remove any previous seasoning or surface rust.
• Apply a light coat of oil/fat on the entire cooking surface. Many people like to use flaxseed oil, vegetable oil,
shortening, or even bacon grease – the oil/fat needs to be food grade.
• Heat the unit slowly to about 350°F (176°C). The heated oil/fat will fill in the pores and crevices of the cast iron
to make a waterproof, non-stick surface that is ideal for cooking.
• Eventually, a good non-stick, glossy black surface will begin to form. The best surface is attained over time by
using your cast iron cookware frequently which creates mulitple layers of seasoning.
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CARE & CLEANING
• Try not to use metal spatulas or spoons with cast iron cookware, as they can scratch down into the layers of
seasoning.
• After each use, clean off all remaining food. This can be accomplished several ways:
1. Wipe out the food with a paper towel.
2. Rinse in hot water and clean with a dish-rag or soft sponge.
3. Allow the piece to soak with hot water for a few minutes to allow
particularly sticky food to release before lightly scrubbing with a rag.
4. Rub coarse salt along the surface to remove unwanted particles.
5. Use a few drops of normal dish soap to clean your cast iron.*
*NOTE: A long-standing “rule of thumb” for cleaning cast iron has been that soap should NEVER be used.
However, the suspected origin of this idea comes from a time when soap had high lye content, which damaged
the seasoning. Dish soaps today do not contain lye. If only used occassionally, mild dish soap should have little
affect on cast iron seasoning.
• Always dry cast iron cookware thoroughly. An easy method is to put the cast iron cookware back in a warm
oven after it has been turned off.
• Always store cast iron in a dry environment.
• After cleaning cast iron cookware, it is best to apply a light layer of cooking oil using a lint free paper towel or
rag. This will better maintain the seasoning.
• Do not use abrasives such as steel wool, steel coils, metal brushes, etc. on your cast iron for cleaning purposes.
These tools can be useful to polish the cooking surface or restore an old piece of cast iron, but can remove the
seasoning.
Barbour International, Inc. • 101 Cypress Way, Brandon, MS 39042
1-800-736-8028 (English Only) • Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm CST
www.thebayou.com
