To clean, just use
mild dish soap
(that's right, it's okay to use a little soap!) and a scouring pad or a cast iron pan cleaning brush. Wash it, scrub it, rinse it, then wipe it out well and season it with a few drops of oil and store with a paper towel covering the cooking surface.
How do you clean a cast iron skillet without destroying it?
All you need to do is
coat the pan, inside and out, in a neutral oil, like vegetable oil
. I usually splash a little onto a paper towel and rub it all over the skillet until it looks evenly coated—a tablespoon or two should do it. It doesn't need to be and put it in a 300F oven for three or four hours.
What is the easiest way to clean cast iron?
Scrub off stuck-on bits: To remove stuck-on food,
scrub the pan with a paste of coarse kosher salt and water
. Then rinse or wipe with a paper towel. Stubborn food residue may also be loosened by boiling water in the pan. Dry the skillet: Thoroughly towel dry the skillet or dry it on the stove over low heat.
Can you ruin a cast iron pan?
Famously durable, these pans are often passed down through generations. With proper reseasoning care, years of frequent use can actually improve the pan's “seasoning”—its natural nonstick coating. But sadly,
cast iron skillets can indeed break
.
Can you use baking soda to clean cast iron?
In a nutshell, this is how to clean your cast-iron skillet:
Immediately after cooking, rinse in warm water, sprinkle with a bit of baking soda, and scrub gently with a nylon brush
. The baking soda neutralizes any flavors and odors from what you've just cooked, and has anti-bacterial properties.
How do you clean an old crusty cast iron skillet?
Generously sprinkle kosher salt or coarse sea salt into the pan and scrub it with a clean, damp washcloth
. For extra stubborn spots, use a plastic pan scraper to work the burned food off the pan.
Can I use a scrub pad on cast iron?
Use a fine grade steel wool pad and scrub the pan surface, inside and out, to remove rust and debris
. Wash the residue with hot water and mild soap if needed. Once you have cleaned all the residue off the cast iron skillet, wash and dry your skillet as noted.
Can I just wipe out cast iron skillet?
Most often you can clean a cast-iron pan by simply wiping it down with a dry paper towel or cotton dishcloth
. If the pan is well seasoned, bits of burnt, stuck-on food will come right off. If any stubborn bits remain, scrape them off with a plastic spatula.
Should you clean a cast iron pan?
When it comes to new and used skillets — a little soap and water is a good thing. This first wash removes factory residue or rust bits. Make sure you rinse and dry the pan well after this first washing.
You'll likely only need to wash your skillet with soap once or twice a year if you take good care of it
.
How often do you season a cast iron skillet?
Remember there's no need to use your best premium brand for seasoning! How often should I season my skillet? — To get the best out of your cast iron skillet, it's recommended that you oil it after each use. However, depending on how frequently you use it,
2-3 times a year
is sufficient.
What is the best oil to season a cast iron skillet?
All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends
vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil
, like our Seasoning Spray.
Is it OK to boil water in cast iron?
Yes, you can boil water in cast iron
. To keep the layer of seasoning intact, don't boil water for more than 10 to 15 minutes. You can heat water to a gentle boil or simmer dishes for over 15 minutes – sometimes up to an hour. Be extra careful with acidic dishes like tomato sauce.
Is it OK to wash cast iron with soap?
So here you go, once and for all:
Yes, you can use soap on cast iron
. It's totally fine on enameled cast iron, and on plain cast iron, too. It's not going to destroy your seasoning. With enameled cast iron, you're done: Wash and dry.
What should you not cook in a cast iron pan?
- Smelly foods. Garlic, peppers, some fish, stinky cheeses and more tend to leave aromatic memories with your pan that will turn up in the next couple of things you cook in it. …
- Eggs and other sticky things (for a while) …
- Delicate fish. …
- Acidic things—maybe.
When should I Reseason cast iron?
Lightly reseason
after each cleaning
: Dry thoroughly (do not drip-dry) and set over medium-low heat until all traces of moisture disappear. Add 1/2 teaspoon of oil to pan and wipe interior with paper towels until lightly covered in oil.
Can I clean cast iron with vinegar?
Mix basic white vinegar with water in equal parts and submerge your pan in it
. Use a bucket or plug the sink for really big pans; the entire skillet should be covered with the vinegar mixture. You can soak it for up to eight hours, but Whitehead suggests checking it early and often. It might be done in just one.
Does Coke remove rust from cast iron?
Coke has phosphoric acid, which is a compound that can remove rust. Phosphoric acid is what gives coke its flavor (that I know you love). Nonetheless, it is also what makes it more acidic than any other acids, like vinegar.
Coke is a good way to clean cast iron and remove rust from it because it is inexpensive
.
Does vinegar hurt cast iron?
The maximum amount of time you should leave your cast iron soaking in vinegar is 8 hours
. Any longer than this could be detrimental to the long-term health of the cast iron. You should keep checking back on your cast iron as it soaks, though, because the length of time you need it submerged in vinegar will vary.
How do you get sticky grease off cast iron?
How do you clean black crud off cast iron?
One of the simplest ways to remove the residue is by
using salt
. Yes, that's right, salt. Take an oily paper towel (it's best to use the same type of oil you season the pan with) and use it to rub salt over the bottom of the pan.
Can you use a steel brush on cast iron?
Using a stiff-bristled brush made out of natural fibers or plastic, scrub the inside of the skillet.
Don't use a wire brush or steel wool, which are too abrasive and could damage the surface
.
Can you use rough sponge on cast iron?
The rough surface of contemporary cast iron requires an abrasive sponge to scrape off any stuck on material
. According to Lodge, one of the leading purveyors of cast iron cookware, a nylon scrubbing sponge works best.
Can you use aluminum foil to clean cast iron?
ALUMINUM FOIL:
A wad of heavy-duty aluminum foil also makes a great cast-iron skillet cleaner
. After using paper towels to wipe any excess grease from a cooled pan, simply use the foil to scrub off stuck-on food or dirt.
