How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet

An MBA graduate of Binghamton University, Bradley “Brad” Berfield has spent nearly three decades as a retail distribution and logistics executive in the grocery, apparel, and general merchandise sectors. Also an accomplished home chef, Brad Berfield maintains a substantial collection of specialized cookware and especially enjoys cooking with cast iron.

One of the oldest forms of cookware in the world, early examples of cast iron pots date back to Han Dynasty China in the third century. Though the prevalence of cast iron has come and gone over the centuries, the cookware is enjoying a newfound popularity among both home and professional cooks alike. One reason for this popularity is that, once properly treated in a technique known as “seasoning,” a cast iron skillet will take on nonstick properties and last a lifetime.

Though some cast iron manufacturers pre-season their cookware, it is also quite easy to do at home. In fact, even if the pan comes pre-seasoned, most experts suggest regularly re-seasoning your pan as part of its maintenance. 

To season a cast iron skillet, simply scrub it with soapy water and dry thoroughly. If there is rust on the pan, use steel wool to scrape it off. Once the skillet is clean, apply a very thin layer of oil to the cooking surface of the pan. This can be soybean, flaxseed, or any other kind of vegetable oil.

After applying the oil, place the pan upside down on the center rack of the oven at a temperature of 375 degrees, making sure to put something beneath the rack to catch the dripping oil. After one hour, turn off the oven and let the pan cool.

Fishing Bass in the Upper Chesapeake Bay

Brad Berfield is a logistics professional with more than two decades of experience overseeing corporate distribution efforts nationwide. An avid fisherman, Brad Berfield has angling experience ranging from Canada to the Chesapeake Bay, where he seeks out bass.

Over the past several years, the Upper Chesapeake Bay has reemerged as a hotspot for bass, with weight and catch rates increasing at tournaments for local fishermen. With crowding becoming an issue, there are still many excellent fishing spots that have netted trophy bass in the five- to six-pound range.

As described in American Boater, these spots include Elk River, which is accessed through Elk Neck State Park, and the Sassafras River. As the area around the latter location can present heavy morning fog, anglers there typically launch in Galena on Duffy Creek, at a private boat launch.

The ideal time for bass fishing in the Upper Chesapeake Bay area is spring, as fish gather from diverse areas of the river system for spawning in two large creeks: Lloyd's, and Turner's. During this season, Turner's Creek offers excellent cover, including emerging grasses and lily pads. The root systems of the lily pads overlap with vegetation such as hydrilla and milfoil, providing an ideal location for spawning. In addition, the sand bottom of the shoreline and boat docks harbor numerous bass, as they provide ideal shelter from currents and predators.

How to Wash Salt from a Boat

With an MBA from Binghamton University, Bradley (Brad) Berfield works as a distribution and logistics executive for a Philadelphia-based company. In his free time, Brad Berfield enjoys a variety of activities, including cooking, fishing, and boating. 

Regardless of the size and age, every boat needs to be properly maintained. One of the easiest and most important things that any boat owner can do to maintain a vessel is to wash it down after every use, especially boats that spend time in salt water. 

Salt can corrode railings and other metal hardware and cause significant damage to a boat’s finish. To completely remove salt crystals, start by spraying the entire boat with fresh water. Both the inside and outside of the boat should be sprayed, including hardware, piping, pulleys, and other working parts. 

After spraying, wait a few minutes to ensure that the salt crystals are fully dissolved, then spray the boat again from the top down. Outboard boat owners should also thoroughly clean the engine and all of its mounting components.

Boating Benefits, Both Psychological and Physical

As a vice president of distribution and logistics, Bradley (Brad) Berfield oversees operations of a distribution network for a diverse range of quality merchandise. With more than two decades of experience in the industry, Brad Berfield relaxes in his leisure time by going boating.

Studies have shown the health benefits, physically and psychologically, from spending time boating. Boat owners typically report themselves to be happier. They enjoy the peace of boating and the opportunity to be in the fresh air, listening to the sounds of nature. They also tend to respond better to stressful situations in the workplace because of taking that time to relax.

In addition to the connection with nature that boating brings, it also provides the opportunity to build relationships with family and friends. Those who take the time away from modern technology to spend it aboard a boat deepen relationships and result in good memories.

Aside from these psychological boosts, boaters also find physical benefit from exposure to the sun. Spending time in the sun, properly protected by sunscreen, allows the skin to take in Vitamin D, which has dropped to insufficient levels in a good portion of the populace.

Learning the Science of Cooking by Experimentation

Supply chain manager Bradley “Brad” Berfield has held senior distribution and logistics positions at companies such as Coldwater Creek, Inc., and Wegmans Food Markets. Outside of his professional life, Brad Berfield enjoys cooking. 

Cooking is not just an art, it’s also a science. A session in the kitchen is like time spent in a chemistry laboratory where you mix ingredients and expose them to different environmental elements to come up with a predefined result. Understanding the science of cooking will improve the outcomes of your culinary work. You learn that science by experimenting. 

When you’re in the kitchen, don’t just follow recipes religiously. Vary the quantities of ingredients to know which changes affect which flavors. For example, if you want stronger flavors, going for more than the conventional single clove of garlic is a must. 

Don’t stop at the ingredients. Experiment with different methods of cooking, too. Dry methods such as roasting, grilling, baking, and broiling have different effects on food from wet methods such as boiling, stewing, steaming, and poaching. The amount of heat energy food is exposed to also affects its texture and taste. For example, when meat is baked its crust becomes brown, signifying the binding of carbohydrates and proteins. This gives meat its strong flavor and improves its texture for easier digestion. As you learn the chemical reactions different ingredients and environmental factors create, you will become a better cook.

Coldwater Creek, Incorporated - Greater Boston Food Bank Volunteers

As a business professional with over 20 years of experience in supply chain management, Bradley “Brad” Berfield has a proven track record of successful business leadership and management of organization infrastructures. Brad Berfield has served in management positions for several companies, including as vice-president of distribution and logistics for Coldwater Creek, Inc.

Founded in 1984, Coldwater Creek began as a direct mail business and grew along with the online retail community. Merchandise available at Coldwater Creek ranges from misses and women’s plus clothing to shoes and accessories.

As a way of giving back to the community for its success, Coldwater Creek is involved in several local community programs like volunteering at the Greater Boston Food Bank. Volunteers at the Greater Boston Food Bank are responsible for a variety of jobs such as packing food items, sorting, inspecting, and loading boxes for distribution. Most volunteers work for about 3 or 4 hours at a time.