How to season a new cast iron pan?

[Meg Hamilton]

I bought a new Lodge cast iron pan today and am wondering if there's a compliant oil I can use to season it.

[Tom Denham]

A Lodge probably comes already seasoned. I messed mine up once, however, and used the same light olive oil I use to make mayonnaise when I seasoned it again.

[Meg Hamilton]

Thanks Tom! The sticker doesn't say anything about being pre-seasoned. I got it for $16 at TJMaxx

[befabdaily]

Lard from pastured pigs. See this article. Short version, you want an oil that's high in ALA because it will polymerize. Traditionally, lard was good for this but now conventionally raised lard, has a different fat profile.

[jrustdc]

Or flaxseed oil, as the author originally suggests. All of the bad stuff is going to burn off. I use this method exclusively and love it. Also, the pre-seasoning that comes on a Lodge pan isn't as good as doing it yourself with this method, but it's good enough.

[ebacklund]

I recently seasoned a carbon steel wok with coconut oil.

I am thinking about purchasing a large dutch oven soon to make some chili in the backyard fire pit this fall, will probably use coconut oil to season it as well.

[Robin Strathdee]

I use grease from (pastured) pork belly. Works a treat. I also never ever ever use water on mine. just scrape it clean and reseason.