How to Season Your Carbon Steel Pan: A Step-by-Step Guide

At 3 Nail Ironware, we take pride in our hand-forged carbon steel cookware. When you receive your carbon steel skillet, it arrives carefully packaged and ready to begin its journey in your kitchen. Seasoning your pan correctly ensures a natural nonstick surface, longevity, and a cooking experience that improves with every use.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to seasoning your carbon steel pan and caring for it for generations.

1. Unbox Your Pan Carefully

When your 3 Nail Ironware skillet arrives via UPS, it will be well-packed to protect it during shipping. As you unbox your pan, take a moment to notice the details that make it special:

• Countersunk rivets for a smooth handle
• Movable bail at the end of the handle
• The pan size stamped on the back along with the Paint Rock, Texas location and our logo
• The name of the blacksmiths (Kiser) who made it, along with the month and year of production

Every pan is crafted with care, making it not just a kitchen tool but a family heirloom.

2. Wash the Pan

Before seasoning, wash your carbon steel pan in soap and warm water to remove any oils, such as coconut oil, used during production. Dry the pan thoroughly.

3. Apply Your Seasoning Oil

For the seasoning process, you can use oils like sunflower oil and beeswax. Here’s how:

1. Take a clean cloth or rag and cover the entire pan—inside, outside, and the handle—with a thin layer of oil.
2. Use a second clean rag to wipe off any excess, so the pan appears dry. Don’t worry—it still has a thin layer of oil that has absorbed into the steel.

This thin coating is critical because, during heating, the oil polymerizes, creating a durable, natural nonstick surface.

4. Bake the Pan

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
2. Place the carbon steel skillet upside down on the oven rack.
3. Bake for 1 hour.
4. After an hour, turn off the oven and allow the pan to cool completely inside.

This process bakes on the seasoning, forming the first layer of your pan’s nonstick surface.

Tip: Repeat this baking process three times for optimal seasoning and durability.

5. Care for Your Seasoned Pan

Once seasoned, maintaining your hand-forged carbon steel cookware is simple:

• Rinse the pan under water to remove food debris.
• Heat it briefly on the stove.
• Add a small amount of oil to protect the surface before storing.

Proper care keeps your carbon steel skillet in excellent condition, ready for everyday cooking.

Your 3 Nail Ironware Pan Is Built to Last Generations

With proper care, your 3 Nail Ironware carbon steel pan becomes a family heirloom. By showing it a little love, you can cook with it for many years and eventually pass it down through generations. Its durability, versatility, and natural nonstick properties make it an investment in both quality and tradition.

Ready to cook? With your newly seasoned carbon steel skillet, you’re prepared to create incredible meals, from perfectly seared steaks to crispy cornbread, all while enjoying cookware crafted in a Texas family blacksmith shop.