How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet.

Cleaning a seasoned cast iron pan is as easy as any other pan, or easier. However, you should take precautions to preserve the seasoning.

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STEPS

1) - Each of these methods can be used without needing to re-season the pan:

• skillet is still hot from cooking, put boiling water in skillet and pour out water while scrubbing with a cloth, nylon scrubby, or other very mild scrubbing tool.

• Boil water in it. Use a wooden spoon or similar to scrub gunk with a clean (no soap) cloth. Pour out.

• Rinse the skillet with very hot water to remove any food residue left over from cooking. Then sprinkle salt into the skillet and scrub with a paper towel or clean cloth. When finished pour out the salt.

(We like using sea salt)

• Scrub pan with cooking oil and salt, using a paper towel or clean cloth.

• Remember to wipe the pan with a very light coating of oil or grease before storing the pan.

2) - Seasoned cast iron can be washed with regular dish soap, even in the dishwasher, but this will reduce the seasoning's effectiveness: plan to re-season often if washing, and always following the dishwasher

3) - Scouring a pan involves aggressive scrubbing, often with steel or brass wool.

Some cooks prefer to scour the outside of their iron pans whenever they are cleaned to get a shiny surface.

If scouring with chemical cleaners (Barkeeper's Friend, Ajax, Comet, etc.) the pan will need to be re-seasoned immediately.If scouring with metal wool and oil or grease, only on the outside, you can just wipe down the outside with clean oil or grease; it is still seasoned.

TIPS:

• Always recoat with melted lard, or spray-on corn oil.

• Soap can damage the pan's seasoning. (Purists never allow soap in their cast iron without re-seasoning.

• Make sure skillet is thoroughly dry before putting away.

Warnings

• Avoid putting hot cast iron into cold water. This can cause cast iron to warp or crack.[1]

• Cast iron will rust if you do not dry it thoroughly.

• Cast iron gets HOT while cooking, so be careful not to burn yourself by touching it with unprotected skin.You may also be interested in:

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