How to use seasoning tools for iron cookware

Jed Grieve - Oct 11 2022

What's chain mail and seasoning paste?

Chain mail and seasoning paste are the most essential tools you need to maintain your iron cookware tp get long lasting non-stick results. Each has a unique job but work together to keep your pan smooth and stick resistant.

What's chain mail?

Chain mail is best known as the armor that was worn by knights. Chain mail that we use to clean/polish cookware is no different. Hundreds and thousands of looped rings of stainless steel create a malleable chain mail cloth. The texture is smooth and surprisingly soft to the touch.

Using a chain mail scrubber is super easy and very effective. How much pressure you use depends on how cooked on the food is. Ideally you'd use a normal amount of pressure and your pan's seasoning wouldn't be harmed.

If you really cook something onto the pan your chain mail will get it off but it may take your seasoning off too!! But don't despair! No matter how damaged a pan is it can always be cleaned and re-seasoned. Learn how to use your chain mail here: https://youtu.be/8GL0Mk4P18k

I use chain mail for more than just iron cookware. Check it out in this video: https://youtu.be/18vTL0AekR8

What's seasoning paste?

Seasoning paste for Iron Cookware, or also known as Cast Iron Seasoning Wax, is a combination of seed oil and beeswax.

At first this seems like a strange combination however it doesn't take many uses of the paste to realize how well it works. The texture of the wax is like shoe polish, and you apply it to a hot pan the same way too.

The most durable pan seasonings are made up of many micro layers of seed oil, and the wax helps you apply the light coat all over the pan. The wax dissipates and is unnoticeable after the application.

We use a combination of grapeseed oil, canola oil and local beeswax. I made a video on it here: https://youtu.be/TgCsDTR5AEw

How to season your iron cookware

I have loads of videos on how to care for your cookware but this one below will show you the use of paste and oil. It's a video about Field cast iron but you can use the same method for all cast iron and carbon steel cookware

What you need

Chain mail and paste have become indispensable in my kitchen and if you're looking to master using iron cookware then I highly recommend using this dynamic duo to get the best non-stick results.