Best way to clean cast iron skillet w/o ruining seasoning?
I got a cast-iron pan for my birthday and I've been getting really into cooking with it, but I'm scared of ruining it! I've heard water can ruin the seasoning, but I'm not sure how to clean it then, especially after cooking something really messy or greasy. Any tips for a cast-iron newbie?
Use hot water and a non-abrasive brush or a sponge and just gently scrub away food residue. Honestly I sometimes go weeks without washing my pan, the leftover food can make things taste better. If any food is really stuck on there, put a little bit of water in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes, then try scrubbing the food off. Make sure the pan is totally dry afterward- if you leave it wet or let it soak it'll ruin the pan. You could even put it on the stove on low heat for 10 minutes after you rinse it to make sure all the water evaporates. Only use dish soap if you REALLY need to.
You really don't want to wash cast iron with soap. It removes the seasoning and then you have reseason it by applying a thin layer of oil and heating it up, then letting it cool down. And you'll want to do that a couple of times.
what kind of oil do you use
You want a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoke point. Try grapeseed, avocado, sunflower, vegetable, or canola oil. You could also use melted shortening but I would stay away from olive oil, personally.
I put coarse salt in the pan to scrub off the stubborn bits of food then quickly rinse it with water. Then pat it dry with a clean cloth that doesn't leave behind fibers and coat it with a light layer of oil.
I tried all that but mine is rusty and the rust won't come off :(
To remove rust from a cast iron skillet, make a paste of hot water and baking soda. Apply it to the skillet and let sit and soak for 5 minutes. Then, scrub it off with a sponge.
I use cast-iron pans for about 99% of my cooking. Wayyyy better than any sort of non-stick pans once you get the hang of it.
My cast-iron care routine is pretty simple! After using the pans to cook, I will:
1) Rinse them out with plain water--never soap--and use a nylon scrub sponge thing like a Scrub Daddy to remove any debris.
2) Place the pan back on the burner on low (I also give it a quick dry with a paper towel, but it's not necessary).
3) After the pan is fairly dry, put a drop or two of vegetable-based oil in the pan and use a paper towel to spread around in a thin layer. I've found that avocado oil works really well!
4) Leave the pan on a low setting for around 5 minutes. This is kind of a mini-seasoning!
5) Turn off the burner, wait for the pan to cool, then put the pan away.
I know the process seems kind of involved, but it is really quick and easy once you have the routine down!
My cast-iron care routine is pretty simple! After using the pans to cook, I will:
1) Rinse them out with plain water--never soap--and use a nylon scrub sponge thing like a Scrub Daddy to remove any debris.
2) Place the pan back on the burner on low (I also give it a quick dry with a paper towel, but it's not necessary).
3) After the pan is fairly dry, put a drop or two of vegetable-based oil in the pan and use a paper towel to spread around in a thin layer. I've found that avocado oil works really well!
4) Leave the pan on a low setting for around 5 minutes. This is kind of a mini-seasoning!
5) Turn off the burner, wait for the pan to cool, then put the pan away.
I know the process seems kind of involved, but it is really quick and easy once you have the routine down!
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Reader Tips from How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet
A very rusty or otherwise corroded cast iron pan may need to be scoured using power tools. This can save nearly any cast iron pan that doesn't have holes in the cooking surface. After power-scouring, immediately season. Now it's ready to use for years and years.
Always coat your skillet with a very thin coat of shortening or vegetable oil before putting it away. Don't use an animal product like lard. It will go rancid.
Reader Tips from How to Season Cast Iron Cookware
Don't wash cast iron often. The way to remove food that has just been cooked is simple: add a little oil and coarse salt to a still-hot pan. Scrub with a paper towel or some horsetail (a common weed if you are camping), then tip out everything and place the pan in storage.
It is extremely important to use a flat stainless steel spatula when cooking with cast iron. The steel spatula will keep the bottom of the skillet from becoming "bumpy" and will maintain a glass like surface.
Reader Tips from How to Restore a Cast Iron Pan with Burnt-on Food Stains
We often don't cook our pan for like a month, as long as there's not a big buildup of food in it. If there is, we scrape it off with a wooden spoon as best as we can or add a little vinegar to the pan and let it simmer on the stove for ten minutes to loosen up the burnt food, then scrape it off.
Only use soap if food is really caked on there. You will have to make sure the pan is really dry after and then reseason it.
