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Carbon Steel Seasoning: My Fool-Proof Method & What NOT to Do

Seasoning carbon steel cookware doesn’t have to be difficult. With just a few simple steps, you can create a smooth, non-stick, rust-resistant surface.

But many first-timers make mistakes that ruin the seasoning.

In this guide, I explain my proven method for seasoning carbon steel. I also highlight the common mistakes to avoid to ensure a perfect seasoning every time.

This process is guaranteed to work, and I have the before and after pictures to prove it.

No more struggling with sticky, blotchy seasoning that chips and flakes off. My technique will help you season like a pro your first time.


Use the links below to navigate the guide:


How to Season a Carbon Steel: Key Takeaways

Here’s a quick explanation of how to season a carbon steel pan. Throughout the full guide, I explain each step in detail and share tips for avoiding common mistakes.

Step 1: Clean/Remove the Coating – Scrub new pans with soap and water to remove the protective coating that prevents seasoning from sticking. For used pans, wash away any food residues and use steel wool to remove rust and uneven seasoning layers until you get down to the bare metal.

Step 2: Dry the Pan – Thoroughly dry the pan with a towel, then place it upside down in a 250°F oven or heat it on the stove for a few minutes to evaporate any remaining moisture. Heating the pan ensures the surface is completely dry and makes it easier to coat with a thin layer of oil.

Step 3: Coat the Pan – Once cleaned and dried, rub a small amount of high smoke point, neutral flavor oil over the entire pan using a lint-free cloth. Spread the oil evenly into a thin layer, then wipe off any excess until the surface has a slight sheen (it should not be glistening or look wet).

Step 4: Bake the Pan – With the oven set to 25°F above the oil’s smoke point, place the pan upside-down on the middle rack with a baking sheet on the lower rack. Once the oven is fully preheated, let the skillet bake for 15 minutes, then wipe off excess oil and return the skillet to the oven for 45 more minutes. After baking for a full hour, turn off the heat and let it cool in the oven for an hour so the oil can fully polymerize.

Video Summary

Want to see the steps in action? Watch me season a brand-new carbon steel pan using the exact steps I cover in this guide.

Step 1: Remove the Protective Coating / Clean the Pan

If you’re seasoning a brand-new pan, the first step is to remove the manufacturer’s protective coating.

Even the slightest amount of moisture can cause an unseasoned carbon steel pan to rust, so most manufacturers coat the surface in a thin layer of beeswax or oil before shipping it.

Although the coating prevents rust, it also prevents your seasoning from adhering. So don’t make the mistake of trying to season over it.

To remove the coating, give the pan a good scrub with soap and water. It may take a few minutes. Since the coating is thin and transparent, knowing when you’ve removed it all can be challenging.

Removing the protective coating from a new carbon steel skillet
Removing the protective coating from a new carbon steel skillet

But instead of guessing, you can conduct the squeak test. Rub your finger over the pan while it’s damp. Your finger will run smoothly over the bare pan and “squeak” against any remaining spots of protective coating. If the surface isn’t smooth, keep scrubbing.

If you’re seasoning a used pan, you’ll still want to thoroughly clean the surface before re-seasoning. Wash the pan with hot, soapy water to remove any stuck-on food residues.

If there is rust or uneven layers of baked-on oil from previous seasonings, use steel wool or a chainmail scrubber to remove it gently.

The goal is to strip the pan down to the bare metal before beginning the seasoning process. Thoroughly stripping the pan ensures the new seasoning will properly adhere and build up smoothly.

Step 2: Dry the Pan

The next step is to dry the pan completely. Wipe it with a towel, then put it upside down in the oven preheated at 250°F/121°C for 10 minutes to evaporate the rest of the moisture. You can also heat it on the stove for a few minutes.

Drying a carbon steel skillet before applying oil to season it
Drying a carbon steel skillet before applying oil to season it

Even if your pan looks dry after wiping it with a towel, I highly recommend heating it in the oven or on the stove. Even the tiniest amount of moisture can prevent the oil from bonding to the carbon steel.

Heating the skillet in the oven to evaporate moisture
Heating the skillet in the oven to evaporate moisture

Plus, it’s easier to spread a thin layer of oil on a warm pan. When the oil is heated, it becomes more fluid and coats the surface evenly.

Step 3: Coat the Pan

Once the pan is clean and dry, put on an oven mitt and remove it from the oven.

Use a lint-free towel to rub a small amount of oil on the entire surface. Make sure to get the inside and outside.

If the pan you’re seasoning has a carbon steel handle you also want to coat the handle. If the handle of your pan is made of stainless steel, there’s no need to oil it because stainless steel is inherently rust-resistant.

The key to this step is to use a small amount of oil, about the size of a quarter, and spread it until it’s completely even.

Spreading a thin layer of oil on a carbon steel skillet
Spreading a thin layer of oil on a carbon steel skillet

Be sure to use lint-free towels or rags to apply the oil — cheesecloth, automotive towels, or bandanas work well. Any lint or fabric fibers left behind will get stuck in the seasoning, preventing you from achieving a perfectly smooth cooking surface.

After you spread it with one towel, take another and wipe it down as if you’re trying to wipe the oil off. The surface should have a slight sheen, but it should not look wet or glistening. If it’s glistening, you’ve used too much. 

Carbon steel skillet with a thin coating of oil
Carbon steel skillet with a thin coating of oil

One of the most common mistakes when seasoning carbon steel is using too much oil or not wiping it off enough before baking. If you use too much oil, you’ll end up with a sticky, gummy surface that will eventually flake off.

There’s debate in online forums about what kind of oil to use. But most experts agree that oils with a smoke point above 400°F with a neutral flavor work best. Soybean, peanut, sunflower, grapeseed, and canola are good options. I like to use grapeseed oil because it’s relatively cheap, the smoke point is 420°F, and it has a neutral flavor.

Grapeseed oil for seasoning carbon steel
Grapeseed oil for seasoning carbon steel

Avoid extra virgin olive oil, butter, and other oils with smoke points below 400°F. Also, avoid lard, bacon grease, and other animal-based fats because those will go rancid unless you use your pan multiple times a day every day.

Flaxseed oil is often touted online for seasoning cast iron and carbon steel. However, it has a low smoke point of only 225°F. It hardens quickly but lacks robustness, so it flakes off easily. Flaxseed oil also has a pungent odor, short shelf life, and goes rancid quickly.

Plus, it’s expensive and varies in quality and freshness depending on the brand and where it’s purchased. Because of that, it’s hard to get consistent seasoning results.

The chart below breaks down the characteristics of common oils to help you decide which to use.

OilSmoke PointNeutral Flavor?Ideal for Seasoning Carbon Steel?Notes
Avocado Oil520°FNoYesHigh smoke point, but imparts flavor
Safflower Oil500°FYesYesVery high smoke point, neutral flavor
Refined Olive Oil465°FYesNoRefining removes flavor and increases smoke point
Soybean Oil450°FYesYesNeutral flavor, high smoke point
Peanut Oil450°FYesYesHigh smoke point, imparts nutty flavor
Corn Oil450°FYesYesNeutral, budget-friendly high smoke point oil
Sesame Oil450°FNoNoStrong sesame flavor
Sunflower Oil440°FYesYesLight flavor, high smoke point
Canola Oil425°FYesYesNeutral flavor, high smoke point, inexpensive
Grapeseed Oil420°FYesYesNeutral flavor, high smoke point, affordable
Vegetable Oil400°FYesYesTypically soybean or canola, neutral flavor
Extra Virgin Olive Oil375°FNoNoLow smoke point, imparts flavor
Coconut Oil350°FNoNoLow smoke point, imparts flavor
Flaxseed Oil225°FNoNoProne to rancidity, low smoke point

Step 4: Bake the Pan

The final step is to bake the pan. Before you do this, make sure the handle is oven-safe. Most carbon steel pan have oven-safe handles, but some, like De Buyer Mineral B, have epoxy-coated handles that are only safe in the oven for short periods.

If the handle is not oven-safe, you’ll have to heat the pan on the stove (follow these instructions).

Once you’ve confirmed your pan is oven-safe, place it in the oven upside down on the middle rack and place a baking sheet on the lower rack to catch any drippings.

Seasoning a carbon steel skillet in the oven
Seasoning a carbon steel skillet in the oven

If you applied the oil in the previous step correctly, the baking sheet is unnecessary since there won’t be any oil dripping. But I recommend putting the baking sheet there, just in case.

The most common mistake people make during this step is not baking the pan at a high enough temperature. For the oil to properly polymerize and bond to the carbon steel, it needs to be heated slightly above the oil’s smoke point. Since ovens are not 100% accurate, aim for 25 degrees higher than the oil’s smoke point.

For example, if you’re grapeseed oil with a smoke point of 420°F, bake the pan at 445°F. You don’t need to preheat the oven; just let the pan heat up gradually as the oven heats.

Once the oven reaches 25°F above the oil’s smoke point, let the pan bake for 15 minutes. Then, carefully take it out and wipe down any excess oil.

If you followed the instructions in Step 3 and didn’t apply too much oil, there shouldn’t be any excess oil to wipe. But I highly recommend taking this step just in case.

After you wipe the pan, put it back in the oven for another 45 minutes.

People often make the mistake of not letting the pan bake long enough. It takes time for the oil to polymerize and bond to the carbon steel. Pick a time when you’ll be home, and you don’t need to use the oven for other meals.

After the full hour, turn the heat off and let the pan cool in the oven for an hour.

Before and After Seasoning a Carbon Steel Pan

There’s debate over how many layers of seasoning are needed. Some say one round is enough, while others claim three to five rounds create the best protective surface.

Based on my experience seasoning dozens of carbon steel skillets and woks, two times is usually enough. After that, it’s best to start cooking.

You’ll know the seasoning layers are building up properly when the cooking surface takes on a darker brownish hue and is no longer silver/gray like bare, unseasoned carbon steel. The pan should have an even, non-sticky coating that is smooth to the touch.

Here’s how a carbon steel pan looks before seasoning:

Unseasoned carbon steel pan
Unseasoned carbon steel pan

Here’s how it looks after one round of seasoning using my method:

Carbon steel pan after one round of seasoning
Carbon steel pan after one round of seasoning

And here it is after two rounds of seasoning:

Carbon steel pan after two rounds of seasoning
Carbon steel pan after two rounds of seasoning

If you follow these steps, the result will be a smooth layer of seasoning that prevents rust and makes it easy to cook eggs, burgers, vegetables, and any other food without sticking.

Questions? Let me know in the comments below.

Andrew Palermo Founder of Prudent Reviews

Andrew Palermo - About the Author

Andrew is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Prudent Reviews. He began his career in marketing, managing campaigns for dozens of Fortune 500 brands. In 2018, Andrew founded Prudent Reviews and has since reviewed 600+ products. When he’s not testing the latest cookware, kitchen knives, and appliances, he’s spending time with his family, cooking, and doing house projects. Connect with Andrew via emailLinkedIn, or the Prudent Reviews YouTube channel.

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2 thoughts on “Carbon Steel Seasoning: My Fool-Proof Method & What NOT to Do”

  1. Great information! Thanks for sharing. I have a question…
    You said “Step 4: Bake the Pan – With the oven preheated to 25°F above the oil’s smoke point, place the pan upside-down on the middle rack with a baking sheet on the lower rack.” Then in the details, you said, “You don’t need to preheat the oven; just let the pan heat up gradually as the oven heats.” So, preheat or don’t preheat?
    And, how often does a carbon steel pan need to be treated? I use my pan almost daily and put oil on it after every use. I’m thinking that may not be necessary now.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Hi Diane, That’s a good catch. You don’t need to preheat the oven. The first quote should have said, “With the oven set to 25°F above the oil’s smoke point…” I’ve updated the article to reflect that.

      If you use your skillet often and have no issues with rust or food sticking, don’t worry. But if the surface looks silvery or blotchy and eggs, fish, and other delicate foods stick, it’s a good sign that the skillet needs seasoning.

      I hope this helps.

      Andrew

      Reply

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