How to maintain your cast-iron wok

by Roomy Heart
Routine Maintenance
  1. After you cook, rinse the pan with water, scrubbing gently with a soft-bristled brush or a sponge if necessary; avoid soap or abrasive scrubbers.
  2. Dry the pan thoroughly over a warm burner (but do not overheat, as that will weaken the seasoning and detach it from the expanding steel).
  3. Add 1/4 teaspoon oil to the cleaned skillet or 1/2 teaspoon oil to the cleaned wok and, using a wad of paper towels held with tongs, spread evenly over the surface.
  4. Wipe away as much oil as possible with a paper towel (excess oil won't fully polymerize and will lead to tackiness)
  5. Continue to heat the pan, wiping away any beaded oil that forms, until the pan smokes (indicating oil breakdown).
  6. Let the pan smoke for 2 minutes, wiping away beaded oil with a paper towel.
  7. Turn off the heat and let the pan cool.
  8. (Note: If you are seasoning a wok, the sides will initially be less seasoned because they don't get as hot as the bottom. With use, the upper portion will become more seasoned.)
Occasional Maintenance
  1. Turn your stove's burner on to the highest setting and place the pan on top. Let it heat up for a good 10 minutes or so. The metal will start to darken and smoke - that's normal. Rotate the pan throughout the process to ensure that it is being heated evenly.
  2. Take the pan off the burner and pour in two tablespoons of an oil with a high smoke point (peanut, canola, grapeseed, etc). Then, using a pair of tongs, rub a bunched-up paper towel around the inside of the pan to coat the entire inner surface of the pan.
  3. Return the pan to high heat for another minute or so. The oil will smoke a lot. Then, take the pan off the burner and pour out any excess oil. Using your tongs and clean paper towel, wipe down the inside of the pan. Then let the pan cool - and you're done!
  4. If the cooking surface feels bumpy or has tacky residue, scrub with a mixture of kosher salt and oil or a moderately abrasive sponge until the surface feels even to the touch. The colour does not need to be even. Repeat applying oil as directed in "Routine Maintenance" above.
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