Re-seasoning and care of spun iron, black iron and cast iron cookware.
We have two re-seasoning videos to help care for your iron cookware
Or if you prefer, read "Find out more about re-seasoning", these are our detailed guidance notes that you will find lower down this page.
Re-seasoning, the quick stove top method:
Re-season the cooking surface of your spun iron pans, woks, sauce pans, steak and bacon presses on the stove/top hob using this quick method.
CLICK & WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW
Important: a) Do not use induction hobs for this method of seasoning. b) Do not use this method for cast iron casseroles, slow cookers or tagine bowls.
If you have an induction hob, please contact us for advice.
Re-seasoning, the oven method, this gives a near "factory" finish inside and out.
Learn how to re-season your spun iron, black iron and cast iron cookware in the oven. Keep it easy clean , black and beautiful. CLICK & WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW
Use this method for a perfect finish inside and out on spun and cast iron bowls and lids, spun iron pans, sauce pans, spun lids, griddle / bake plates, iron bakeware and peels and griddle plates
Important: All wooden handle must be removed before re-seasoning. Do not use this method for re-seasoning spun iron woks, steak and bacon presses with non-removeable wooden handles.
Find out more about re-seasoning:
What’s special about our cast, black and spun iron pans?
Serious cooks and professional chefs love the way that black iron pans heat evenly and give great cooking performance.
The more you use your pan the better it gets as the seasoned patina develops.
A couple of handy tips:
- If you are cooking meat or fish - oil the food, not the pan
- Be patient; allow the food to cook before trying to turn it over.
- Don't fry food straight from the fridge, allow it to come up to room temperature.
READ THESE IMPORTANT NOTES IF YOU ARE COOKING WITH AN INDUCTION HOB OR ANY POWERFUL HOB
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Your Netherton pan is hand made, so each one is unique. They will not all be as flat as a billiard table.
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To maintain pan flatness and warranty cover, follow these steps:
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Every time you use the pan heat SLOWLY from a LOW setting, before selecting high or full power.
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Use a hob/ring the same size as the pan base, small hobs/rings will warp big pans.
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Never drop a hot pan into cold water, this will buckle it.
Your Warranty does not cover buckling caused by dropping a hot pan in cold water or fast heating on an induction hob or buckling caused by inappropriate ring/hob size.
If your pan has oak handles, the grain on every piece is unique and each one is branded by hand. They are like fingerprints, no two are identical.
Love your pan and follow our instructions for re-seasoning. Oven seasoning is kinder to the pan than hob top seasoning and it also give a nicer looking finish. We suggest that you only use hob top seasoning, if your oven is too small for your pan or you are re-seasoning your wok.
Your pan will develop with use and, if cared for, will age beautifully and be a friend for life.
Perfect for range stoves, open fires, wood burning stoves, electric, gas, ceramic, halogen & induction hobs (heat up slowly to keep flat).
Picture: Genevieve Taylor, food writer, stylist & presenter, Co-Chair, Guild of Food Writers, www.genevievetaylor.co.uk, @genevieveeats, YouTube - GenevieveEatsTV
Our seasoned flax oil easy clean coating.
At Netherton Foundry, we prefer to use a natural alternative to PTFE non stick coatings.
We know that PTFE does wear out and can be damaged.
Perhaps the major down side is that once damaged these coatings are virtually impossible for the owner to restore. Enamel coating are great, hard wearing and very attractive.
However, we have rediscovered and refined the process of "pre-seasoning" iron cookware.
You may be surprised to find out that pre-seasoning is very well known to households all over North America. Essentially it's the same process that is used in China to protect carbon steel woks.
Like all good ideas, it's very simple and we use flax oil from Flax Farm, West Sussex, where the flax is grown, harvested, processed and bottled. We have found it provides a superior, very hard finish. It is non greasy, has a lovely patina and, when properly cared for, is corrosion resistant.
Perhaps the major down side is that once damaged these coatings are virtually impossible for the owner to restore. Enamel coating are great, hard wearing and very attractive.
However, we have rediscovered and refined the process of "pre-seasoning" iron cookware.
You may be surprised to find out that pre-seasoning is very well known to households all over North America. Essentially it's the same process that is used in China to protect carbon steel woks.
Like all good ideas, it's very simple and we use flax oil from Flax Farm, West Sussex, where the flax is grown, harvested, processed and bottled. We have found it provides a superior, very hard finish. It is non greasy, has a lovely patina and, when properly cared for, is corrosion resistant.
Re-seasoning at home.
Important, if the bowl, lid, pan, cook or bakeware has any rust spots simply remove these with fine sand paper or steel wool.
Always wash in very hot soapy water, you may need to scrub with a scouring pad or stiff brush.
REMEMBER to unscrew and remove any wooden knobs or handles before placing the cast, black or spun iron in the oven.
Cover all surfaces of the bowl, lid or pan with a very thin coating of Netherton Foundry Flax Oil using a cotton cloth.
A thin coating gives the best results, wipe again with a cotton cloth after coating.
REMEMBER to unscrew and remove any wooden knobs or handles before placing the cast, black or spun iron in the oven.
Cover all surfaces of the bowl, lid or pan with a very thin coating of Netherton Foundry Flax Oil using a cotton cloth.
A thin coating gives the best results, wipe again with a cotton cloth after coating.
Leave no runs or pools of oil, just leave an oily layer on the surface of the metal.
Place on a rack in oven.
It's good idea to place a baking tray under the rack to catch any dripping oil.
Slowly heat the oven to MAX (approximately 250ºC/400ºF or Gas Mark 9/10).
Once the oven is up to temperature, maintain the temperature for 40 to 60 mins.
Then switch off the oven, allow to cool slowly and store in an airy dry place.
Once properly pre-seasoned you are ready to use again.
Place on a rack in oven.
It's good idea to place a baking tray under the rack to catch any dripping oil.
Slowly heat the oven to MAX (approximately 250ºC/400ºF or Gas Mark 9/10).
Once the oven is up to temperature, maintain the temperature for 40 to 60 mins.
Then switch off the oven, allow to cool slowly and store in an airy dry place.
Once properly pre-seasoned you are ready to use again.
Don't simply coat cast, black or spun iron in cold oil straight from the bottle or can, this just softens the coating. You need to heat it to season and harden the oil.
Which oil should I use to re-season?
We recommend for the very best results you use Netherton Foundry flax oil (edible linseed oil).
Olive and thin nut oils are not effective.
We don't recommend oils with "trans fats"
Do not use boiled linseed oil, this is not edible and is for thinning paints and putting on cricket bats!
We use and sell edible flax oil grown and pressed by our friends at Flax Farm, West Sussex.
You can buy Netherton Foundry flax oil here.
We use and sell edible flax oil grown and pressed by our friends at Flax Farm, West Sussex.
You can buy Netherton Foundry flax oil here.
Cooking with the spun iron, black iron and cast iron cookware every day.
Netherton Foundry Re-seasoning service, We'll make your iron cookware as good as new!
If you don't have the time, or would just like factory fresh looking cookware, we can do this for you at Netherton Foundry for a reasonable charge.
