Research has shown that the consumption of certain oils could cause diabetes, heart disease, or even the development of cancer.
What is the best oil to season your cast iron cookware?
This article will cover everything you should know about selecting oil for cooking with cast iron. I’ll review the best choices, while also highlighting the ones to stay clear of.
What is the importance of good cooking Oil Important?
The choice of the correct cooker oil that is suitable for cast irons vital since using polyunsaturated fats could have negative health effects. The adverse effects are:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Stroke
in the 60s Ivan Frantz conducted one of the most comprehensive and well-funded research studies which shed some light on harmful negative effects on polyunsaturated vegetable oil.
The study, dubbed The Minnesota Coronary Survey, required several years to put up and was used by more than 9000 participants.
The short version is that Frantz made sure that everyone consumed. Everyone ate the same food however, one group was able to enjoy meals cooked in butter, while the other group ate meals prepared with vegetable oils that were polyunsaturated.
In the course of five years Frantz observed that those who consumed food that was cooked in vegetable oil died earlier and also had less wholesome life.
Why are polyunsaturated vegetable oils so dangerous?
Americans consume 6 tablespoons of vegetables oils per day, but it’s not possible to consume this amount in polyunsaturated oils. It takes 98 ears corn to produce 5 tablespoons corn oil. If producers want to manufacture grapeseed oil they’ll need more than 600 grapes.
Furthermore, since these synthetic oils are oxidized rapidly, you’re slowly destroying proteins and cells in your body. It’s increasing the chance of death.
What are the best oils to use with the cast-iron cookware you have?
Top 5 Cooking Oils To Use For The Cast Iron Seasoning
Make sure to stick with these choices when looking for seasonings made of cast iron:
- Coconut oil
- Avocado oil
- Olive oil
- Beef Tallow
- Macadamia nut oil
1. Coconut Oil
A single portion of coconut oil is 100 grams of fat and 87 grams are saturated fats. In contrast to polyunsaturated oils, which are brittle and rapidly oxidize saturated fats are more stable and will not oxidize when exposed to temperatures.
You may think that coconut oil is harmful , but it is primarily saturated fats. However, numerous studies such as those of the Minnesota Coronary Survey, Sydney Study and the Women’s Health Initiative show that it is not.
Here are some of the scientifically proven advantages of coconut oil:
- It is made up of 70 percent MCT oil.
- Coconut oil is antibacterial.
- You are more lively
MCTs, also known as medium-chain triglycerides, are fats that convert into ketones. Your brain cells are awed by ketones because they protect them from stress. Research has proven that MCTs improve cognitive performance and aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Furthermore the majority of coconut oil is made up of lauric acid. Lauric acid can be a precursor of monolaurin. It is a substance which destroys fat around viruses, and boosts the immune system.
The third benefit is greater energy. MCT oil doesn’t depend on digestive enzymes, which means the body can utilize it instantly. The immediate increase in ketones can boost energy levels.
The main issue in coconut oil is that it is able to harden at temperatures of 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, you’ll need to heat it prior to making your cast iron seasoning.
2. Avocado Oil
Use avocado oil If you’re not feeling like microwaving coconut oil , but want an easier method for seasoning cast iron.
One tablespoon of avocado oil has:
- 100g of fat
- 12.g saturated fat
- 70 grams monounsaturated fat
- 13 grams of fat polyunsaturated
Avocado oil is a good choice for cooking, but while it has an equivalent amount of fat like coconut oil does, it’s only the same amount of saturated fat, 12 grams. Avocado oil is also a source of polyunsaturated fats. So you’ll be advised to take care as excessive consumption can result in the oxidation process.
Avocado is a treasure trove of essential nutrients such as potassium and vitamin E as well as the omega 9 and lutein. Apart from being nutrient-rich avocado has numerous benefits such as:
- It helps fight inflammation.
- Reduces the effect of sugar
- The smoke point for avocado oil is 520°F.
If you’re looking to lessen the impact of eating junk food for your health, go for avocado oil to season the cast-iron cookware. It is possible to cook your meats and vegetables with avocado oil to reduce inflammation.
Certain studies have found that certain characteristics of avocado oil could lessen inflammation more than other medicines.
My personal favorite is that it lessens the impact of sugar. This can be helpful after having the wrong food.
Additionally avocado oil is an excellent option for cooking in high temperatures as it has an extremely smoking point that is high. It is able to be heated to 480 ° before it begins to smoke.
3. Olive Oil
The research has proven that a phytonutrient found in olive oil known as phenol helps protect cells from oxygenation. Olive oil is also nonstick, which means you don’t have to struggle with food items that stick to your hands.
One serving includes:
- 100g of fat
- 14 grams saturated fat
- 10 grams polyunsaturated fat
- 772 grams of monounsaturated fat
- Iron is found in trace amounts and vitamin K
Like the coconut oil that does not dry out, which means you don’t need to cook into the oven. Just spread thin layers of it on the casting iron cookware, then rub it into the skillet using a paper towel, and cook for about 30 mins at 400°F.
The main issue for olive oils lies in the fact a lot of brands include additives such as:
- Canola oil
- Preservatives
- Chlorin
The bottle will last longer and businesses can save money. However, these additives are harmful therefore you should buy olive oil from a natural source.
The healthy olive oil is harvested and immediately cold-pressed, without other ingredients. A simple way to tell whether the olive oil you purchased is pure is by dipping a teaspoon into it and taste it. If you feel the slightest tingle or a snort at your back of your throat then you know you’ve got the correct oil.
However, if it is bland, it is because it is made of canola oil.
Another thing to look to identify is the type of bottle. Are they plastic or glass? If olive oil is inside glass bottles then it’s more likely be genuine. Glass bottles indicate that the company is looking to cut costs which is why they might have included canola oil.
4. Beef Tallow
Although it’s not an oilbut it’s still a useful option to season your brand new casting iron cookware.
Similar to coconut oil and beef tallow, the beef tallow is a saturated fat that’s which is resistant to the oxidation. After you’ve seasoned in your pan of cast iron with the beef fat you’ll also taste a distinctive taste when cooking your food.
One serving of beef tallow has the following ingredients:
- 100 grams of saturated fat
- 50g saturated fat
- A total of four grams polyunsaturated fat
- 40g of monounsaturated fat
- Vitamin D is present in trace amounts.
Medically-reviewed studies even suggest bacon grease and fat from beef could help you shed pounds. This can be done by three methods:
- Beef tallow is a treasure trove of CLA
- It keeps you fuller for longer
- It reduces cravings for sweet and carbs as well as sweets.
CLA is a type of fat found in food products that can aid in fat-burning. By covering your cooking pan with beef tallow it will increase your intake of CLA which makes losing weight easy.
Tallow is also a filler because it is saturated fat with the absence of carbohydrates. This allows you to stay fuller for longer, while reducing appetite and insulin levels, as well as increasing the loss of weight.
The greatest thing concerning beef fats is that that it’s extremely inexpensive. This is a great option for those who are seasoning their cast iron dutch cookers on an affordable budget. Farmers dump tallow out after cutting their livestock If you are able to couple to farms in your area and purchase it, you can do the tallow for a fraction of the price.
5. Macadamia Nut Oil
Macadamia oil and peanut oil are not widely used in cooking and is a healthy choice because of its low levels of omega 6. It’s the one with the second lowest omega 6 content in comparison to coconut oil.
There’s a wonderful nuance after cooking your foods in a pan with macadamia oil. A single serving includes:
- The fat content is 76g
- 12.g saturated fat
- 60% oleic acid
The high content of oleic acid enhances heart health and reduces the chances of contracting a health condition.
We now know the top oils for cast iron, we can have a look at some of the oils we should steer clear of.
Check out our guide on the top oils for air fryers!
Cooking Oils To Avoid
Here are some of the most common oils to stay clear of:
- Flaxseed oil
- Canola oil
- Soy oil
- Corn oil
- Grapeseed oil
Flaxseed Oil
When you are looking for a cast-iron skillet, you’ll notice that most manufacturers make use of flaxseed oil in order to pre-season the cast iron pans.
While flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 and omega 3, it is a glue-like substance. Many enthusiasts of cast iron like myself have used flaxseed oil before I followed the directions for seasoning and food was stuck in the cast iron pan.
The reason flaxseed oil’s consistency is due to the wide variety. There is refined cold-pressed, unrefined and shelf-stabilized oils, which produce diverse outcomes. It also comes with low smoke points, so it’s not the best choice for high temperatures.
Canola Oil
While canola oil is able to assist in keeping the food particles from sticking to the skillet but it’s extremely refined and can create destruction in your system. I would suggest sticking with an oil that is more natural, such as coconut oil or olive oil.
The oil is produced through crushing, bleaching then heating one million seeds.
The lengthy industrial process is designed to the extraction of oil from tiny seeds. It’s not possible to consume this in a natural way, which is why the body causes inflammation.
Soy Oil
Soy oil contains 50% fats that are unsaturated which makes it an oil you should stay away from when you’re seasoning your food. Soy oil isn’t an oil that is non-stick therefore food remains on the surface after seasoning your skillet.
Research on mice showed that eating soy oil increased their weight than mice who ate fructose.
Corn Oil
Since corn oil is heated numerous times during the process of manufacturing, it becomes very processed and oxidized. This causes inflammation and a host of other long-term health issues.
Instead, go for avocado, coconut or olive oil. These oils aren’t subjected to an industrial process, and their large amount of saturated fats ensures that they are not oxidized.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil contains 70 percent omega 6, which makes it among the most fragile and unstable oils.
Oil extracted from grape seeds is popular in Europe However, its demand is growing in the US because companies realize the cost of this oil to manufacture.
There are grape seeds that remain from the winemaking process and many companies employ hexane in order in order to remove oil from the seeds. Hexane is a harmful chemical that can cause irritation to the throat, lungs and the nose.
The result is a unreliable, unstable oil with zero nutritional value.
Find out how to use our guide to how to use the Best Spatula For Cast Iron Cookware!
Final Comments On The Most Effective Iron Seasoning Oil For Cast Iron Dressing Oil
The right oil to use for your equipment made of cast iron is crucial. Not only can the improper oils cause food to become stuck in the food, but it’s also harmful and can cause chronic health issues.
If you’re in search of an oil that is stable and nutritious for your cast iron seasoning go for coconut olive, avocado, olive or macadamia oil made from nuts. It is possible to make use of beef tallow to add some flavor.
But, you should avoid refined vegetable oils like flaxseed, soy, canola as well as grapeseed, corn, as well as sunflower oils. These oils are instabil and can oxidize proteins and cells within your body.
