If your recipe calls for one cup of Crisco shortening, you will need to substitute it for one cup of butter and add another two or three tablespoons of butter to the mixture. So, would you mind commenting on tallow? Maybe even add it to your list of options to your article. Before we get into the best oil for seasoning cast iron, let’s talk about WHY the seasoning process is so important.

Unsaturated fats have a chemical makeup that is more optimal for polymerization, the process that needs to occur to develop the perfect cast iron seasoning. So steer clear of oils with a higher concentration of saturated fats, like coconut oil and palm oil. Neutral Flavor

After seasoning there is no fat left. It has turned into different compounds. So the smoke point of flax at 225F does not mean that after seasoning it will burn off when you sear your steak much hotter. With carnivore and animal-based diets becoming popular, and I myself am experimenting with it, I’ve discovered something I didn’t know previously existed. Tallow! Also I have heard/learned that many unfortunately many avocado oils are in someway, either in advertently or purposely, contaminated / cut with other cheaper and inferior oils, like soy bean oil. No Bueno! because of this I have started experimenting with seasoning my pans with tallow. I am unsure and have been trying to find information about the smoke point of tallow which I believe is very high but I’m not sure exactly what it is. Hello, I used Dawn for my first wash of my new pre seasoned cast iron. I’m in the process of seasoning now and just wonder if Dawn was too gentle for my first wash? I used my chain scrubber and Dawn. Crisco solid shortening is a popular cast iron seasoning oil because it is versatile, affordable, and widely available in grocery stores. The solid Crisco shortening (the kind that comes in a metal tub) also has a high smoke point of 490 degrees. Alex Renton (September 27, 2006). "Alex Renton investigates the health risks of trans fats: Grease is the word". The Guardian.

This is because apples are naturally slightly sweet, and many brands of applesauce have sugar added to them. Some people even use mashed bananas if they don’t have applesauce. If you are using coconut oil in shortening, you need to either beat the coconut oil with sugar or melt it. First, it’s on the expensive side. Second, the more widely available unrefined version has an extremely low smoke point. Third, you have to be careful to choose the correct variety, as many people complain that certain flaxseed oils will flake off after seasoning. You definitely don’t want to go through the multistep process of seasoning your cast iron pan only to have all of that hard work just flake off, so this oil is low on my list. Olive Oil Olive oil can be used for deep frying, but peanut oil works better. Olive oil has a lower smoke point, so you will need to use the exhaust fan above your stove. When it comes to baking and cooking, shortening is incredibly famous. It’s basically any fat that remains in solid form at room temperature.I loved your article! Thank you so much for putting this information together in such a sensible way to read and understand. I am grateful! 🙏💛 Since reading your article I’ve been strictly using avocado oil to season my cast iron. It works great! Margarine is an even better alternative to Crisco than butter. Margarine is generally much more affordable than butter. Unfortunately, margarine is processed, and its flavor is not as delicious as that of butter. When choosing an oil to season cast iron, there are a few factors that you need to consider: High Smoke Point This being said, many people have become accustomed to the flavor of margarine, especially in baked goods.