To season cast iron in the oven, the typical recommended time is about 30 minutes to 1 hour at a temperature between 400°F to 450°F, with some methods specifying up to 1 hour or slightly longer. After baking, it is advised to let the cast iron cool slowly in the oven before use. Multiple thin oil layers can be applied and baked to build up a good seasoning layer. Key details from sources:
- Coat the cast iron with a thin layer of oil inside and out.
- Bake upside down in a preheated oven at around 400°F to 450°F for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Some seasoning methods bake for 1 hour at 400°F or 450°F.
- Let the pan cool in the oven after baking for better seasoning solidification.
- Repeating the oiling and baking a few times can improve the finish.
- Ventilate the kitchen during seasoning as the process produces smoke.
This range of timing and temperature is consistent across several expert sources and guides on cast iron seasoning.
