If you have Le Creuset cookware and want to make it last longer, one of the things you should know is how to season patina on Le Creuset cast iron skillet.
Le Creuset is a kitchenware manufacturer that makes a variety of cast iron pots and pans with white or matt black enamel.
Seasoning a Le Creuset cookware to develop a patina is something you should do. That’s because it will add flavor to your food. It will also make your cast iron more convenient and quicker to use.
As a result, if you want to know how to season and maintain your patina on Le Creuset, you should read this.
What is a patina?
Cast iron cookware grows a layer known as a patina over time, which leaves a clear texture on the pan’s bottom.
Therefore, a skillet will acquire a patina during seasoning with heated fat and oils. This procedure also gives a long-lasting coating to the pan with a nonstick material.
Doing this causes a protective layer to form on the pan’s bottom during seasoning or when oils and fats are released during cooking.
What is a Le Creuset cast iron?
“Le Creuset” means “the cauldron” in French. The name refers to the cast-iron metals used in the company’s signature pieces.
While many individuals know a Le Creuset pot, they may not recognize the brand name upon hearing it. That’s because many people are unsure how to pronounce it.
Le Creuset is a cast iron franchise that has gained popularity over the years and is a favorite among chefs and cooks.
The brand is a market leader in the cookware industry. The Le Creuset cookware is durable and long-lasting, chip-resistant enameled cast iron, with an unrivaled selection of bold, rich colors in a variety of finishes and materials.
Le Creuset has been regarded as the inventor of colorful cookware since 1925. For 100 years, the cast iron manufacturer has used distinct originality in its manufacturing processes, making them a household name in the cookware industry.
Can Le Creuset be seasoned?
Yes, it can.
You can season your Le Creuset cookware to develop a patina that will add flavor to the foods you cook.
How to season patina on Le Creuset cast iron skillet
Here is how to season patina on Le Creuset.
- First, thoroughly remove any manufacturing-related residues, and wash the new kitchenware in hot, soapy water.
- After, use a lint-free kitchen towel and completely dry the Le Creuset skillet.
- Set the pan on the stovetop with a medium heat setting.
- Apply peanut or grapeseed oil to a folded paper towel and rub it all over the piece’s inner surface.
- For 10 to 15 minutes, let the cast iron item heat up and accumulate oil before wiping away the extra with a folded dry paper towel.
- After removing the Le Creuset item from the heat, let it cool for 60 minutes.
- Apply heat to the pan and add another layer of oil; repeat the procedure at least once more.
- After this, do not use soap to clean the pan, as the seasoned patina will be washed away along with the oil layer.
Is it okay to use chipped Le Creuset?
Yes, it is.
The chip should still be safe to use because it is on the other side of the pot.
Is patina the same as rust?
No, it is not.
Airborne oxygen and moisture combine to form rust. However, patina is a kind of tarnish that develops on furniture items and other surfaces.
Rust can appear within a few days, weeks, or years, whereas tarnish develops over time. Blemish and patina are not harmful, whereas rust often is.
What does a patina look like on a pan?
A patina can be the manufacturing seasoning on your pan when you first get it, or it can be shiny and polished like you see on a well-kept vintage pan.
It might also be smooth, shiny, and black. However, it might take years for it to appear that way. Plus, this is also what gives your pan its nonstick surface.
FAQs
Can all Le Creuset cast irons be seasoned?
Yes, they can.
Le Creuset makes several cast iron pots and pans with matte black or white enamel that you can season.
But, the only product that comes out of the box seasoned and ready to use is the cookware made of white-coated cast iron.
Why is your Le Creuset discolored?
Because cast iron keeps heat so well, overheating a pan will result in poor cooking performance, sticking, dark spots, and discoloring on cooking surfaces.
Should you season enameled Le Creuset cast iron?
No, you should not.
Enameled cast iron requires no seasoning, unlike conventional cast iron, so maintenance is simple.
Because of its smooth enamel coating, food won’t stick to, burn on, or crust over its surface. Additionally, enameled cast iron’s capacity to prevent iron from contaminating food appeals to health-conscious cooks and many cast iron collectors and buyers.
Conclusion
Contrary to popular belief, seasoning patina on Le Creuset is not as hard as it appears. It follows the usual cast iron guide.
However, doing this necessitates paying extra attention to how you season and store cast iron after each use, along with using the appropriate amount of oil or fat.
Conclusively, a patina is not rust that cannot remove but oil that has racked up on your cast iron over time. Therefore, you should use the instructions in this article to properly season the patina on le Creuset.
You can also learn how to fix uneven seasoning in your cast iron skillet.
Thanks for reading.
