Will seasoning cast iron skillet with vegetable oil leave trans fats?
I've read that when I buy a cast iron skillet I need to "season" it with any vegetable oil, or buy from a company that has already done this process, i.e cooking the vegetable oil at really high temperatures. Doesn't this produce trans fats? Will this leave trans fats in my food afterwards?
Best Answer
Trans fats, as in hydrogenated fats, are not created by heating oil. The process of seasoning a pan involves polymerizing, drying, and carbonizing the oil, which is different from hydrogenation of the oil (how trans fats are created).
Per @craPkit, there are confusing references to trans fats and overheating oil. However, overheated oil is oxygenated, not hydrogenated. These oxygenated oils are confusingly referred to as trans fats in some literature for technical reasons, but they are different from what is meant by "trans fats" in health literature (that is, partially hydrogenated fats). That said, oxygenated oils are probably bad for you, just in a different way (primarily for your cholesterol level).
Additionally, if you have seasoned your pan properly, oil shouldn't be coming off into your food in any significant quantity. The whole point of seasoning is to create a hard non-stick surface on the cast iron that doesn't come off; if it is coming off, you did it wrong.
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Is vegetable oil good for seasoning cast iron?
All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.Does vegetable oil turn into trans fat when heated?
Cooking oils do not hydrogenate or create trans fats during home cooking, even beyond the smoke point.Does frying with vegetable oil create trans fats?
During frying of foods such as french fries or fried chicken, the heat applied to the vegetable oils can create trans fats. Furthermore, the trans fat content of the oil increases each time the oil is reused.Can you leave vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet?
It's not a good idea to leave cooking oil in your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. The oil can go rancid if exposed to the elements for an extended period of time, and you will have to throw it away. When cooking oil becomes rancid, it reacts with the elements and bacteria in its environment.5 Best Oils for Seasoning Cast Iron Skillets | Advice From a 50+Year Cook
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