Cast iron is not just a great to cook with, but it also has a reputation in the kitchen as a method of non-stick cooking. The best way to clean cast iron is through a process of removing food marks, excess fat, and grease before it dries, to help prevent rust and corrosion. Here, we’ll show you a couple ways you can do this.
How to clean a cast iron skillet/pan?
1) Hand-wash your cast iron cookware. A tiny amount of soap can be used or remove built-up food with salt and vinegar.(Never scour with metal pads unless you want to re-season the pan!)
Simmer a little water for 3-5 minutes to remove stuck-on food, then scrape with the scraper when the pan has cooled.
2)Using paper towel, dry thoroughly. Seasoning will leave a small amount of black residue on your towel, which is entirely natural.
3)Apply a thin layer of cooking oil (or flaxseed oil) to the pan surface. Wipe the surface with a paper towel.
No soap method on cleaning cast iron skillet:
- To remove food and oil from cast iron skillets, use hot water and a plastic brush or plastic mesh cleaning pad. then blot dry.
- Soak dried or cooked-on meals in hot water for no more than five minutes, preferably fewer. After that, brush and wipe dry.
- After wiping it dry, heat it to properly dry it and lightly treat it with spray oil. Allow to cool before storing.The key to extending the life of cast iron pans between seasoning treatments is to keep them clean and lubricated. Years pass between those.
- Finally, because no soap was used to clean the pan in this method, warm it before cooking on it next time.
True/False statements about cast iron cleaning:
A cast iron skillet is an excellent illustration of fictitious chemistry and widespread beliefs. Here’s something that can shed some light on the most stuff we hear here and there when cleaning it:
“Never clean your cast iron with soap“: FALSE. You use something to cook, and then you clean it. A decent seasoning is what keeps your skillet working correctly and free of soaps on a regular basis. Although, Lye and lye-based cleaners must be avoided since their major ingredient (sodium hydroxide, NaOH) dissolves the thin coating of seasoning that accumulates on the cast iron surface;
“Always dry your cast iron skillet as soon as you clean it” : TRUE. Cast iron is just iron, and this metal is extremely prone to rusting in the presence of water and oxygen in the atmosphere.
“Always cover your cast iron skillet with oil after washing and drying it“: TRUE. The polymer layer can be scratched away during a thorough cleaning or simply flake off over time. A thin layer of oil on the surface prevents moisture from damaging the surface and aids in the rebuilding of the polymer layer.
Perhaps odorous substances should be avoided ( certain types of cheese, fish, garlic), but the polymer layer, when correctly constructed and maintained, will aid in the removal of contaminants.
“Clean it with salt“: FALSE. That’s fine if your cast iron has a well-established and glass-smooth or very thick “seasoning,” but don’t use salt if it’s new, newish, or questionably seasoned.
The surface of new cast iron is highly porous. Whatever you do with a paper towel and cleaning oil, some NaCl will remain. That will sucking in air-humidity and send you to the rust-es. Once it rusts in the pores, you’ll have to do the whole rust removal process.
Additional Questions
What is the easiest way to clean cast iron?
The most straightforward way to clean cast iron cookware is to delicately wash the pan using a non-damaging sponge, or a scrub brush, alongside some hot water and mild dish soap. After washing, it’s important to rinse thoroughly, and then dry the pan fully with a dish towel. Remember, thorough drying is critical to prevent rusting. From my experience, using a Dobie sponge or the gentle side of a Scotch-Brite sponge has proven to be effective.
What is the best way to clean cast iron cookware?
When it comes to the optimal cleaning method for cast iron pans, you should apply a bit of mild dish soap and employ a scrubber like a scouring pad or a special cast iron cleaning brush. After washing, you should rinse, wipe the pan out well and then season it with a few oil drops. Do ensure to store your pan with a paper towel covering its cooking surface to stop it from rusting. This method of cleaning is tried and tested, and I can vouch for its efficacy firsthand.
How to properly clean a cast iron pan what should you do and not do?
To maintain the longevity and performance of your cast iron pan, it’s crucial to adopt a methodical approach to its cleaning. Firstly, apply some mild dish soap and use a cast iron pan cleaning brush or scouring pad to scrub. Having washed it, rinse the pan, wipe it out well and season with oil before storing it with a paper towel on the cooking surface. It’s worth highlighting that using soap for cleaning these pans isn’t harmful at all, despite some common misconceptions.
Will baking soda and vinegar clean cast iron?
Though it’s a popular cleaning combination for various household items, baking soda and vinegar is not the ideal method for cleaning cast iron cookware. These substances are harsh, can strip away the pan’s seasoning, and even cause it to rust. For cast iron, it’s best to stick to the milder and more pan-safe methods detailed above.