What Can I Scrub My Cast Iron With?

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.

What should you not put on a cast iron skillet?

1. Avoid Cooking Acidic Foods in Cast-Iron Pans. …
2. Be Aware that a Cast-Iron Surface Takes on Flavors. …
3. Don't Cook Delicate Fish In Cast Iron. …
4. Before Your Skillet Is Well-Seasoned, Avoid Sticky Foods. …
5. And, Whatever You Cook, Avoid Storing Food in Your Cast-Iron Pan.

Can you use a scrub brush on cast iron?

Lodge 10-Inch Scrub Brush

. The Lodge Scrub Brush features an ergonomic design and dense bristles that make short work of cleaning seasoned cast iron without harming the seasoning. … Lodge recommends cleaning our seasoned cast iron with a stiff bristled brush and hot water to maintain the seasoned finish.

Is it OK to use steel wool on cast iron?

Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan?

No

! We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. We only recommend using steel wool or a metal scrubber to remove rust before reseasoning.

Can you clean cast iron with aluminum foil?

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.

Is it OK to use butter in a cast iron skillet?

Yes

, you can cook with butter in your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Keep in mind that butter burns at temperatures above 350°F (177°C), so you shouldn't use high heat when you're frying foods with it.

When should you not use cast iron?

1. 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. …
2. Eggs and other sticky things (for a while) …
3. Delicate fish. …
4. Acidic things—maybe.

How many times do you season a cast iron skillet?

In my experience, it's reasonable to reseason a cast iron skillet

once to 2-3 times per year

. If you cook fattier foods in your skillet and avoid cleaning it with soapy water, the seasoning could last for years.

What is the best oil to season cast iron?

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.

Can you ruin a cast iron?

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

.

Why does my cast iron pan wipe black?

That black residue on your cast iron skillet is usually

just carbon deposits

. It is not harmful. The carbon deposits causing that black stuff coming off your cast iron pan into your food or cleaning cloth form due to the overheating of oil or fats, or bits of burnt food.

Can you clean cast iron with Brillo?

How to Clean Cast Iron. Follow these easy steps if your skillet has any rust spots or if it's completely coated in rust.

Scrub with hot water using

a nonabrasive scour pad with coarse salt or a brillo pad on all sides of the skillet until all of the rust spots are gone.

How do you clean a cast iron skillet after use?

Clean cast-iron skillet after every use

Wipe interior surface of still-warm skillet with paper towels to remove any excess food and oil. Rinse under hot running water, scrubbing with nonmetal brush or

nonabrasive scrub pad

to remove any traces of food. (Use small amount of soap if you like; rinse well.)

Does Aluminium react with cast iron?

When the surface of the cast iron is in contact with the molten aluminum,

Al atoms diffuses into cast iron

to form an Al-rich region. When the Al content reaches the reaction concentration, Fe-Al IMC is produced.

Should you smoke oil when seasoning cast iron?

When cooking in cast iron, you should add a

little oil

to the pan before adding your food. This helps ensure the food doesn't stick, and it helps build layers of seasoning. You can generally use whatever oil you prefer, as long as the cooking temperature is below the smoke point of the oil.

What is the best way to season cast iron?

1. Scrub skillet well in hot soapy water.
2. Dry thoroughly.
3. Spread a thin layer of melted shortening or vegetable oil over the skillet.
4. Place it upside down on a middle oven rack at 375°. (Place foil on a lower rack to catch drips.)
5. Bake 1 hour; let cool in the oven.