How long can a cast iron skillet go between seasonings?
Some people really love old, well-used cast iron skillets and hand then down through the generations. Cast iron skillets require seasoning between cooking, and I wonder how soon after seasaning with oil they must be used. Should a skillet be used within a day of seasoning, or can they last for years? Wouldn't the pans go rancid?
Answers ( 1 )
The first thing you're going to do with your ancient cast iron frying pan before placing food in it is... get it hot! Very hot. Hot enough to kill any bugs that have been enjoying the environment. They will provide extra nourishment and flavour to your dish. ;-)
Of course, if there's a visible scum on the surface, you may want to scour it off with oil and salt, the same as you do after every use. As long as you never let soapy water touch the surface, re-seasoning the surface should be unnecessary.