--- title: "Exact Steps to Use Skillets So That They Last Longer" description: "Learn the exact steps to use skillets properly and make them last longer with our expert tips and tricks." canonical: "https://kitchencuddle.com/how-to-use-skillets/" author: "Anushree R." published: "2023-06-23T11:24:25" updated: "2026-10-30T00:36:42" --- # Exact Steps to Use Skillets So That They Last Longer ![Skillet in use](https://kitchencuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/skillet-in-use-1024x576.jpg) A skillet is a frying pan with a flat bottom and low sides. But the term “skillet” can also refer to any frying pan with a long handle and a large cooking surface. You can use a skillet for frying, searing, browning, and stir-frying. Another version of a skillet is an electric cooking appliance with a built-in heating element and temperature controls. Let’s look at how to use the different types of skillets in closer detail. ## Steps to Use a Cast Iron Skillet Cast iron skillets are traditionally used for cooking on electric and gas stovetops. They are handy kitchen utensils that you can find at an affordable cost and use for various needs. They also last a very long time. Follow these steps for bare cast iron. Steps 2–4 describe a seasoning bake only when the pan needs one; a ready-to-use factory-seasoned pan can move to the cooking steps after first-use cleaning. ### 1\. Clean the Cast Iron Skillet You can [wash a seasoned cast-iron skillet](https://kitchencuddle.com/can-skillets-go-in-the-dishwasher/) with a little dish soap. Lodge recommends warm, soapy water, thorough drying and a thin oil film. Avoid soaking and dishwashers. These steps apply to bare cast iron. Follow separate instructions for enamel or manufactured nonstick coatings, and clean a new pan as its maker directs. ### 2\. Brush Oil on The Surface If It’s Not Pre-Seasoned Factory-seasoned skillets may not need an initial seasoning bake. For bare iron that [needs seasoning](https://kitchencuddle.com/do-cast-iron-skillets-need-to-be-seasoned/), use a suitable cooking oil. Seasoning forms when heated oil polymerizes into a firm surface coating; it is not simply liquid oil soaking into metal. ### 3\. Wipe Away Excess Oil Before Heating Apply a very thin, even oil layer, then wipe away excess before heating. Pooled oil can leave a sticky coating. ### 4\. Heat According to the Maker’s Seasoning Method Follow your skillet maker’s seasoning method. Lodge’s bare cast-iron procedure uses a 450–500°F oven for one hour, with the pan upside down, followed by cooling in the oven. Handle it safely and let it cool before use or storage. Do not apply this bake to enamel, manufactured nonstick coatings or electrical parts. ### 5\. Use a Little Oil for Cooking Food release depends on seasoning, cooking temperature and the food. Use the oil called for by the recipe rather than assuming cast iron always needs less than stainless steel or aluminum. ### 6\. Warm the Skillet Well Before Adding the Food [![Warm skillet](https://kitchencuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/warm-skillet-1024x576.jpg)](https://kitchencuddle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/warm-skillet.jpg) Another factor to remember is that cast iron heats slowly. The heavy metal base takes time to warm up, and we recommend heating it on medium heat for the best results. Once the cast iron skillet is hot, you can reduce the heat. It will allow the food to cook evenly. Warming the skillet will also enable even browning of the surface. Wait till the surface is hot before placing food on it. You can use a cast iron skillet to cook pancakes, meat, seafood, vegetables, burgers, and much more. ### 7\. Don’t Store Food in The Cast Iron Skillet There are two reasons to not store food in a cast iron skillet. Firstly, the iron on the surface can alter the food color. It makes the bright colors in your food fade away and become a dull brown over time. Another issue is that iron on the surface can react with acidic ingredients in the dish. For instance, if you cook tomatoes on a cast iron skillet, the acid in it reacts with iron over time. So it’s best to transfer the food into another storage container immediately after cooking. ### 8\. Wash by Hand After Cooking Let the pan cool enough to handle safely, then handwash it with a little dish soap. Use a suitable brush or scraper for stuck food, rinse and dry thoroughly. Do not soak it. ### 9\. Re-Season If the Seasoning Is Damaged Routine dish-soap washing does not require a new seasoning bake. Rust or damaged seasoning may need cleaning and restoration using the maker’s procedure. ### 10\. Dry It Well Before Storing Residual water can lead to rust. Dry thoroughly after washing, wipe on a thin oil film and store the skillet in a dry place. ### 11\. Re-Season the Skillet Occasionally There is no fixed re-seasoning schedule. Regular cooking with oil helps maintain the finish; restore rust or damaged areas when needed. ## Steps to Use an Electric Skillet An electric skillet is a countertop appliance with its own heating element and controls. Some use cast aluminum and manufactured nonstick coatings, so the bare cast-iron seasoning steps above do not apply. Set up, preheat and cook according to its manual. Keep electrical controls and connections dry; unplug and let the appliance cool before cleaning. Oven, burner, dishwasher and immersion permissions depend on the model and component. The Presto ceramic-nonstick manual linked below prohibits oven and burner use and says not to wash that skillet in a dishwasher. Never immerse its heat control. Sources: [Lodge cleaning guidance](https://www.lodgecastiron.com/pages/how-to-clean), [Lodge seasoning method](https://www.lodgecastiron.com/pages/how-to-season), [Presto electric-skillet manual](https://www.gopresto.com/uploads/06620_72_450F_English_Web_Instructions.pdf) and [a cast-aluminum electric-skillet example](https://www.gopresto.com/product/12-inch-electric-skillet-with-glass-cover-07117).