If you love cooking bacon, eggs, smash burgers, and other tasty treats, then a cast iron bacon press is an essential kitchen tool. This heavy, flat pan applies even pressure to food as it cooks, resulting in deliciously crispy and evenly cooked eats.
But like all cast iron cookware, a bacon press performs best when properly seasoned Seasoning fills in the pores and irregularities in the iron with oil that gets baked into a natural, non-stick finish An unseasoned bacon press may stick and impart off flavors, while a well-seasoned one will fry eggs to perfection.
Don’t be intimidated by the process! Seasoning a cast iron bacon press is easy with a little time and patience. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to season a new press or refresh an old one. Let’s get cooking!
Why Season a Cast Iron Bacon Press?
Cast iron has been valued by cooks for centuries thanks to its durability and versatility. When cured with seasoning, cast iron develops a natural non-stick surface that sears, fries, bakes, and more with fabulous results.
Unseasoned cast iron has tiny pores that can absorb cooking oils and food debris This causes sticking and rusting, Seasoning fills the pores and prevents this
The usual process of seasoning cast iron using oils high in polyunsaturated fats works great for skillets and other cooking vessels. But a bacon press has a flat bottom that maximizes surface area contact. That calls for a special seasoning approach.
With the right prep and care, your bacon press will become naturally non-stick and last for years. Let’s get into the process!
What You Need to Season a Cast Iron Bacon Press
Before seasoning, make sure your bacon press is clean of any storage or manufacturing oils. Here’s a quick list of everything you’ll need:
- Cast iron bacon press
- Scrub pad or steel wool (optional)
- Dish soap
- Paper towels or soft cloth
- Oven-safe handle covers (or aluminum foil)
- Neutral cooking oil like canola or vegetable oil
- A baking sheet
- An oven
Step-by-Step Seasoning Process
Follow these simple steps to season your cast iron bacon press.
1. Wash With Soap and Water
Before seasoning, wash your bacon press using dish soap and a scrub pad or steel wool. This removes any coating residue from manufacturing. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
2. Apply a Thin Layer of Oil
With your cast iron nice and dry, apply a thin layer of neutral oil over all surfaces using a paper towel or cloth. Canola, vegetable, grapeseed, or other high-smoke point neutral oils work well. Rub the oil over the entire top, bottom, and handle.
You only need a small amount – just enough to make the metal look shiny. Too much oil will result in a sticky finish.
3. Spread Out on Baking Sheet
Place your bacon press oil-side-down on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This catches any drips.
4. Bake Upside-Down at 450°F for 1 Hour
Slide the baking sheet with bacon press into a 450°F oven. Let it bake upside-down for 1 hour. This hardens the oil into a smooth coating over the iron.
5. Turn Off Oven and Let Cool
When time’s up, turn off the oven. Leave the bacon press inside to cool down gradually with the oven. This prevents temperature shock which could cause cracking.
6. Repeat Oil and Bake Cycle 2-3 Times
For a smooth, resilient seasoning, repeat the oiling and baking process 2-3 more times, letting the pan cool in the oven after each round. The more layers, the better!
7. Apply a Final Coat of Oil
Once fully cooled, rub on one final thin layer of oil. This protects the pan from moisture while storing.
And that’s it – you now have a perfectly seasoned cast iron bacon press ready for cooking!
Seasoning Tips and FAQs
Follow these helpful tips for great cast iron seasoning results:
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Use neutral oils with high smoke points like canola or vegetable oil. Avoid butter, olive oil, etc.
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Apply oil in very thin layers. Too much causes stickiness.
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Small bacon presses may only need 30-45 minutes of baking time per round.
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If your press didn’t develop an even black patina, repeat the process.
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Avoid washing with soap after seasoning. Clean gently with hot water and a brush or cloth.
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Re-oil after each use to maintain the non-stick surface.
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If food sticks, re-season the problem spots.
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If rust appears, scrub with steel wool and re-season.
Now that you’re a seasoning pro, it’s time to enjoy cooking with your cast iron bacon press! A perfectly seasoned press makes flipping bacon, pressing sandwiches, and more an absolute breeze. Enjoy your new go-to kitchen tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about seasoning a cast iron bacon press:
What oil should I use to season a bacon press?
Use a neutral, high smoke point oil like canola, vegetable, grapeseed, or refined avocado oil. Avoid olive oil and butter which can burn.
How many rounds of oiling and baking are needed?
Plan on at least 2-3 rounds in a 450°F oven for best results. More is better to build up seasoning layers.
How long should I bake the bacon press each time?
Bake for 1 hour per round for a large press. Smaller presses may only need 30-45 minutes.
Can I wash the bacon press after seasoning?
Avoid washing with soap after seasoning. Just use hot water and a soft brush or cloth to gently clean when needed.
Why does my bacon press have sticky spots after seasoning?
This is caused by using too much oil. Wipe on thinner layers before baking to prevent stickiness.
My bacon press isn’t developing an even black patina. What should I do?
This is normal for new cast iron. Just repeat the seasoning process until the patina builds up evenly.
Tiny rust spots appeared on my seasoned bacon press. How do I fix it?
Gently scrub any rust spots with steel wool, then re-oil and bake to re-season the problem areas.
Food is starting to stick even after seasoning. What’s wrong?
Re-season spots where food sticks. With use over time, re-seasoning is needed to maintain the non-stick patina.
Can I use cooking spray or butter on a seasoned bacon press?
Avoid these, as they can break down seasoning over time. Use a small amount of neutral oil for the best non-stick cooking.
So there you have it – everything you need to know to season a cast iron bacon press! With this handy guide, you’ll be frying up perfect eggs, bacon, and more in no time. Happy cooking!
Seasoning Your Cast Iron Press: A Guide to Flavorful Cooking
Welcome to our guide on how to season your cast iron press! Seasoning is an important step to make sure that your press works well and gives your food great flavors. No matter how experienced you are as a chef or how new you are to cooking, learning how to season your cast iron press will take your dishes to a whole new level.
Steps to Season Your Cast Iron Press
Follow these simple steps to season your cast iron press and unlock its full potential:
- Clean the Press: Make sure your cast iron press is clean and free of any food residue before you season it. Clean it up with hot water and a soft scrub brush. Then, use a clean towel to dry it completely.
- Apply Oil: Use a paper towel to spread a thin layer of cooking oil over the whole cast iron press, including the handle and any carvings. Use an oil with a high smoke point, like flaxseed or vegetable oil.
- Heat in the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Put the oiled cast iron press on the middle oven rack upside down. On the bottom rack, put a piece of aluminum foil to catch any drips. For one hour, heat the press to let the oil polymerize and make a smooth, non-stick surface.
- Turn off the oven and let the cast iron press cool inside for an hour. Then do it again. This step can be done more than once to make a strong seasoning layer. Each round of seasoning will make the press even less likely to stick.