Wipe off almost all the oil.

Yes, you can re-season a cast iron pan without setting off smoke alarms, but you have to be aggressive about how much oil you leave on.

The smoke comes from excess oil burning. Most people put on too much. The trick is to apply a tiny amount of a high-smoke-point oil—grapeseed or avocado works—then wipe it off with a paper towel like you made a mistake. It should look almost dry. That microscopic layer will polymerize without billowing smoke.

Then bake at 450°F for an hour with windows open and a fan pointing at the smoke detector. Or use the stovetop method: heat the pan, add a drop of oil, wipe it thin, and let it smoke for a minute. That’s quick enough that the alarm might