How to Season Cast Iron Hibachi Grills

Why do cast iron hibachi grills need to be seasoned? And what exactly is seasoning?

Seasoning is the term used for curing cast iron to protect it from rusting and to provide a non-stick cooking surface. It is accomplished by literally cooking grease or oil into the fine pores of the metal. When done properly, food will virtually glide off this slick surface without the need for any additional oil and the lifespan of your grill will be significantly extended

A Simple Method for Seasoning Cast Iron Hibachi Grills

1. Before seasoning, you want to ensure that the cast iron is completely clean of any left-over food, gunk or debris. There is a debate as to whether or not to use soap or detergent for cleaning cast iron but my opinion is that if I am going to be re-seasoning it anyway, why not.
2. Once you have the cast iron grill grates clean and completely dry you want to coat their entire surface with a light coating of neutral oil such as Crisco, lard, bacon grease or vegetable oil.
3. Preheat your oven to 250 – 300F and pop them in there for 1 – 2 hours. This can also be accomplished on the hibachi grill itself by using the charcoal as a heat source but I find the oven most effective for me as it is a more universally distributed heat source. During the seasoning process oil will most likely drip so spreading some foil below the grill grates is a good idea.
4. Let the grill grates cool when finished and then simply wipe any excess oil with a paper towel and they are ready for cooking.

Follow these additional steps to avoid needing to season your cast iron hibachi too often

1. Avoid using soap to clean between seasonings. When done grilling simply scrape any remaining food particles from the grill and wipe it down with a light coating of cooking oil while the grill is still warm.
2. Always store your cast iron hibachi in a dry place, not outside in the elements. A protective cover is also a good idea.

By getting in the habit of implementing these simple steps you will not only ensure that your cast iron hibachi grill will continue to perform well throughout your lifetime, but that of your children’s and even grand children’s lifetimes as well.