How Do You Season A Cast Iron Tea Kettle
There are two ways to maintain the seasoning on your cast iron skillet.
How do you season a cast iron tea kettle. Raw cast iron kettles will need to be seasoned with the curing process to ensure the longevity. Technically you dont season enameled cast iron because theres nothing it can really absorb but it will acquire a patina over a long period of time. One type being of cast iron construction and having a porcelain enamel finish which will not need to be cured because it already has a coating to prevent the kettle or steamer from rusting.
Allow to sit for 20 minutes discard and rinse. Then place in a cold oven and heat to about 200 degrees F. You can boil tea in the teapot a few times to help get rid of the new interior coating odor.
If you must clean a cast iron tea kettle wash the inside with mild soapy water. As other answers state a traditional fat-polymer seasoning of the interior is unnecessary because you do not need to prevent food from sticking to the kettle. Start by mixing equal parts of water and vinegar and allow the kettle to rest in this homemade solution for one to six hours then softly clean it with a rubbing pad until all the corrosion is removed.
The benefits of using a cast iron teapot is that they are extremely durable and will last for. Tannic acid in the tea reacts with the rust and forms a natural seal helping to prevent the reoccurrence of rust. Allow the tea to sit for 20 minutes then discard and rinse.
The duration for steeping will depend on the tea that you choose. NEVER put the kettle on an open fire empty. Some people do season the inside of a cast iron kettle.
Unlike many other nonstick skillets cast iron is totally ovenproof so you can start. Once you know how to season cast iron you can use your pan for any recipe that calls for a nonstick skillet. If rust bothers you clean the rusted area with a soft brush then fill the pot with used tea leaves and boiling water.