As a bacon lover, I was thrilled when I received a cast iron bacon press as a gift. This heavy-duty press is the secret to cooking bacon perfectly – evenly flattened, crisp and beautifully browned. However, in order to get the most out of a cast iron bacon press, you need to season it properly before its first use.
In this article, I’ll walk through the simple process of seasoning a new cast iron bacon press. Proper seasoning creates a natural non-stick surface and prevents rusting, helping your press last for years. I’ll also share tips on using, cleaning and caring for your seasoned cast iron bacon press. Let’s get started!
Why Season a Cast Iron Bacon Press?
Seasoning is an essential step for any new cast iron cookware. Here are the key benefits of seasoning your bacon press
-
Creates a natural non-stick surface. The seasoning process bonds oils to the cast iron, preventing food from sticking. This is perfect for getting crispy bacon that slides right off.
-
Prevents rust. Cast iron is prone to rusting when exposed to moisture Seasoning creates a protective barrier to lock out moisture and prevent rust
-
Enhances flavor. Over time, the seasoning becomes layered and complex, adding a subtle browned flavor to foods.
-
Extends the life of the press. Proper seasoning and care will keep your bacon press in top cooking condition for many years.
So take the time to season before cooking up that first batch of bacon. It will set up your press for success.
What You Need to Season a Cast Iron Bacon Press
Seasoning a cast iron bacon press is simple and only requires a few supplies:
- Cast iron bacon press
- Vegetable oil or cooking oil with a high smoke point (I like to use grapeseed oil)
- Paper towels or clean cloths
- Oven
- Baking sheet
Avoid using flaxseed oil or butter for seasoning, as these can become gummy at high temperatures. Standard vegetable oil works perfectly.
How to Season a Cast Iron Bacon Press
Here are the easy steps to follow for seasoning your new cast iron bacon press:
1. Wash and Dry the Press
It’s important to remove any residues from the manufacturing process before seasoning. Give your bacon press a thorough wash with hot, soapy water and a scrub brush or sponge to get into crevices.
Rinse well and completely dry with a dish towel. You want the cast iron bone dry before oiling.
2. Apply a Thin Layer of Oil
Use a paper towel or cloth to wipe a very thin layer of vegetable oil all over the press, including handle, sides and bottom. The oil creates the non-stick surface through polymerization, so reach every nook and cranny.
Too much oil can lead to stickiness and pooling, so focus on an ultra-light coating.
3. Spread on Baking Sheet & Bake
Place your oiled bacon press on a baking sheet to catch any excess oil that may drip. Pop it in a 350°F oven for at least one hour.
As the press heats, the oil will start to smoke, polymerize and bond to the cast iron. This creates that perfect seasoned patina.
4. Allow to Cool and Wipe Down
Once your bacon press has baked for an hour or more, turn off the oven and allow it to cool down completely in the oven. Then grab a fresh paper towel and give it a wipe to remove any excess oil.
Your press is now beautifully seasoned and ready for bacon!
Tips for Using a Seasoned Cast Iron Bacon Press
-
Before each use, apply a very light layer of oil to maintain the seasoning.
-
Avoid cooking with high heat, which can damage seasoning over time. Use medium-low to medium heat.
-
Don’t let acidic foods like tomatoes or vinegar sit in the press, as they can break down seasoning.
-
After cooking greasy foods like bacon, gently wipe out any excess grease.
-
Be careful not to drop or bang the press, as it can chip the seasoning.
With proper care, your seasoned press will last for years!
Cleaning and Caring for a Seasoned Cast Iron Bacon Press
-
Never use soap on seasoned cast iron! This will strip away seasoning.
-
To clean, scrape away any stuck bits and wipe out excess grease with paper towels.
-
For stubborn stuck-on food, boil water in the press to loosen, then wipe clean.
-
Dry thoroughly after each use to prevent rusting.
-
Re-season periodically by repeating the seasoning process to refresh and maintain the press.
-
If rust appears, scrub with steel wool and re-season. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
-
Store in a dry place. I keep mine on the stovetop ready for bacon.
With the right techniques, your seasoned press will only become more non-stick and flavorful over time!
Troubleshooting Common Cast Iron Bacon Press Issues
Food is sticking: Re-season the press and use a touch more oil before cooking. Ensure the press is fully preheated before adding food.
Press is rusting: Scrub off rust fully with steel wool. Dry thoroughly and re-season. Store in a dry area.
Press has an odor: Scrub with coarse salt and re-season. Odors can absorb into the pores.
Press feels sticky: Too much oil was likely used to season. Scrub clean and re-season with a very thin layer of oil.
Bacon is not getting crispy: Ensure you are preheating the press fully before adding bacon. Cook bacon over medium to medium-low heat.
Get the Best Results with a Well-Seasoned Press
With its heavy, heat-retaining design, a cast iron bacon press can take your bacon game to the next level. But for optimum performance, it’s essential to start by properly seasoning the press. This simple process only needs to be done once and will set up the press for years of consistent bacon cooking.
Frequency of Entities:
cast iron bacon press: 20 times
season/seasoning/seasoned: 18 times
bacon: 16 times
oil: 10 times
rust/rusting: 5 times
clean: 5 times
Why Seasoning is Important
Today, before we talk about how to season your cast iron press, let’s talk about why it’s so important. Seasoning makes a natural cooking surface that doesn’t stick and keeps your cast iron press from rusting, which makes it last longer and be more durable. A well-used cast iron press can also make your food taste better by giving it a delicious depth that is hard to get with other cooking tools.
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.
How To Season Cast Iron Bacon Press
FAQ
Do I need to season my Blackstone bacon press?
How to season a bacon press with a wooden handle?
How do you cook a bacon Press in a cast iron oven?
Place the bacon press on a cookie sheet or baking sheet and “cook” it in a 350-degree oven for 1 hour. The sheet underneath the bacon press catches the excess oils that melt and are not absorbed by the cast iron. This keeps your oven clean while you season items.
Why do you need a cast iron Bacon press?
Bacon and other meats have a tendency to curl during cooking. This makes it harder to cook evenly and that’s cast iron bacon presses come in. By flattening the bacon, meat, sausages, or even sandwiches, the heat is transferred more evenly. The result is an evenly cooked and not partially dried-out baconsausage or steak.
How do you cook bacon on a cast iron skillet?
Place your room temperature bacon in the skillet and then put the pan on your stove and turn the burner to medium low. Place your bacon press on top of the bacon slices. The weight of a cast iron bacon press depresses the bacon out flat in your skillet for even cooking.
How do you prepare a bacon press?
To prepare your Bacon Press before your first use, be sure to thoroughly rinse it in hot water, wiping it down. Coat it all over with flaxseed oil or a seasoning oil of your choice. Be sure all cast iron parts including nooks and crannies are coated.