Here’s the step by step process
Part 1 – stripping
- Working outdoors, place concrete block on ground and cover with heavy-duty kitchen trash bag, draping bag over block so that sides of bag will be easy to grasp and pull up over skillet.
- Place skillet upside down on top of block. Wearing rubber gloves, spray skillet all over with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, being careful to keep spray away from your face and exposed skin.
- Flip skillet over and spray inside.
- Pull plastic bag up and around skillet and tie to close. Leave wrapped, sprayed skillet outside (or in garage) for 24 hours.
- Wearing rubber gloves, remove plastic bag. Scrub skillet all over with steel wool and hot soapy water to remove all residue.
- Rinse, repeat scrubbing with steel wool, and rinse again.
- Combine 2 cups distilled white vinegar with 2 cups water. Fill skillet with vinegar solution and let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Part 2 – seasoning
- Discard solution in skillet. Rinse skillet well, then dry well with paper towels. NOTE: The skillet will rust instantly at this point, so be sure to immediately move onto the next step.
- Using paper towels, immediately rub 1 tablespoon (for 12-inch skillet) or 2 teaspoons (for 10-inch skillet) oil over surface. Using clean paper towels, thoroughly wipe off excess oil (surface should look dry, not glistening).
- Heat oven to just below the smoke point of the oil (typically 450F). Place skillet in oven for 1 hour. Using potholders, remove skillet from oven and let cool completely.
- Repeat the prior two steps six times, or until the skillet has a dark, smooth finish.
Note – Flaxseed oil works very well, but has a smoke point of 225F so heat the oven to 200F. Similar (and cheaper) oils are sunflower (SP 440F), soybean (SP 450F), corn (SP 450F), canola (SP 400F). There are claims canola creates a more durable coating than flaxseed .
Part 3 – regular cleaning (clean and oil after every use!)
- Wipe interior surface of still-warm skillet with paper towels to remove any excess food and oil. Rinse under hot running water, scrubbing with nonmetal brush or nonabrasive scrub pad to remove any traces of food. (Use small amount of soap if you like; rinse well.)
- Dry skillet thoroughly (do not drip-dry), then heat over medium-low heat until all traces of moisture have evaporated. Add 1/2 teaspoon oil to pan and use paper towels to lightly coat interior surface with oil. Continue to wipe surface with oiled paper towels until it looks dark and smooth and no oil residue remains. Let pan cool completely.