The perfect seasoning of blue steel baking pans: a practical guide
What is a blue steel baking pan and why use it?
Blue steel is nothing more than a raw and untreated material sold without any finishing, mainly for baking pizza. The blue steel baking pan does not release nickel particles like stainless steel, for example, but rather diffuses the oven's heat with the gradualness and consistency necessary to obtain a well-baked and crispy product as tradition dictates. It is therefore an indispensable tool for all pizza lovers who wish to achieve an enviable result also with other baked goods, such as bread, savory pies, or desserts.
The name comes from its characteristic bluish reflection. However, before actively using it to bake excellent pizzas, it is necessary to carry out the so-called blue steel baking pan seasoning, which is not as complex as one might think. But it does require very precise steps.
Why initial seasoning is important
Speaking of "seasoning" a blue steel baking pan, it is immediately clear that heat is needed, but not only. These pans, in fact, come out of the production cycle in their raw state, as already mentioned, but precisely to prevent them from oxidizing, they are coated with oils designed to protect them from rust and other attacks from external agents.
This oil layer must be removed and subsequently replaced with a sunflower seed oil product, as the metal is not non-stick at all; quite the opposite. This can be remedied by proceeding with the so-called oil vitrification, giving it a natural non-stick layer that will be durable over time. But how do you season a blue pan?
How to season: step-by-step procedure
To understand how to season blue steel baking pans, you must therefore start with an initial cleaning of the industrially used oils, using simple kitchen paper. Meanwhile, the oven should be heated to at least 250 degrees. Once most of the oil has been removed, the pan should be placed in the already hot oven for about half an hour, until no more smoke is visible, then allowed to cool and then wiped with a second pass of kitchen paper.
The seasoning of the blue steel baking pan must then continue with the addition of oil to be spread over the entire surface starting from the center, but without pooling in the corners. The oil should also be applied to the outside, including the edges. Now begins the actual curing of the blue steel baking pan, reinserting it into the oven for another 25 minutes at 250 degrees.
Again, pay attention to the presence of smoke: when it is no longer present, it means that the excess oil has completely burned off and the pan can be removed and allowed to cool. There is no ideal oven for seasoning pans; all are fine as long as the times and temperatures are respected. The non-stick coating will now be clearly visible, but it should be noted that the oil for seasoning the pans is always seed oil, never olive oil. And how do you treat blue steel pans afterward?
How to use and clean a blue steel baking pan
Now it will be possible to use the blue steel baking pan for excellent pizzas and leavened products. Naturally, however, after each use, it will be essential to clean it. Since it is a material with a kind of non-stick coating, care must be taken so that it is never scraped off. The cleaning of the blue steel baking pan therefore involves carefully avoiding aggressive detergents and abrasive sponges, preferring instead the usual kitchen paper and, at most, a plastic support for more stubborn stains.
Alternatively, for burned-on crusts, very hot water can be used to soften the most stubborn ones, before "attacking" them with the tools already mentioned. To avoid problems, however, direct contact with particularly acidic ingredients like tomato should be avoided. Since these pans are used especially for cooking pizza, naturally tomato will often be used as the main condiment. But a little attention will be enough not to give up this typical base.
How to recover a rusty pan
Rust in a blue steel baking pan should not occur if the initial operation has been carried out correctly. Above all, rust is avoided by not exposing the pan to constant humidity, drying it well after each wash. In the unfortunate event, however, it is good to know that the seasoning will be removed along with the rust layer: in fact, sandpaper must be used, rubbed until the iron part is visible again.
At this point, to recover the blue steel baking pan, it will be sufficient to repeat the seasoning procedure, but not before giving a good wipe with a clean paper towel on the residual rust.
Where to buy blue steel baking pans and seasoning accessories
Finding excellent pans and related products is quite simple, thanks to e-commerce sites like Vivi in Campagna. Here you can also purchase everything you need to treat blue steel baking pans, as well as essential accessories.
These include pizza peels, oven thermometers, and spatulas to get pizzas as good as in a restaurant, as well as all the baked recipes you want to make following your creativity and cooking tastes. The complete selection can be found in the "Ovens and Accessories" section, and the quality of every product is what we all want in our homes.
