Cleaning a cast iron pan is simple. A clean, well seasoned pan creates a rust resistant surface that is excellent for cooking many different types of food. This type of skillet is durable and will keep getting better with age. However, you cannot place cast iron in a dishwasher. They must be cleaned by hand. Here is how to clean and care for your cast iron skillet.
How to Clean a Cast Iron Frying Pan –
To clean cast iron, use a clean scouring pad or a cast iron specific or plastic bristle brush. You can find cast iron specific brushes and scrapers almost anywhere cast iron skillets are sold. Wash it with soap upon first use, rinse it with water, and wipe dry. Season it with a paper towel by using a few drops of oil and store.
Besides a scouring pad and soap, you might use a spatula to take off food along with a little water. I like to let mine cool after using it, and then scrape out the dried food with a plastic scraper first. Some people even clean this type of skillet by hand by applying a course salt instead of water to scour it clean.
If your cast iron is parched or rusted, it needs to be cleaned and seasoned. A very rusted skillet may need a good scouring to fully remove the rust first. I cover how to remove rust below. Let’s look at how to season your cast iron skillet.
The way to Season Cast Iron –
Once it is clean and dry, you’ll want it seasoned to prevent rust. Seasoning it means the oil bonding into the iron. In lieu of a course on metallurgy, simply follow these 2 simple steps! Heat it until it’s crazy hot, by heating your cast iron pan on the stove or in the oven.
Pour a little canola oil or other type of cooking oil like flaxseed oil onto a wad of paper towel and rub it onto the surface while wearing an oven mitt to protect your hand. Do not touch that skillet with your hand if it is unprotected. Wipe the surface with a clean paper towel to remove excess oil.
You do NOT want a thick slick of oil onto the pan, otherwise you will end up using a sticky, gummy mess. Let the pan cool. And, that is how to season a cast iron pan! Easy, right?
NOTE: If you have completely stripped your pan down with steel wool and you are seasoning from scratch, you will need into repeat these steps a half dozen times till the pan seems shiny and smooth. But do not be tempted to slather on the oil to accelerate the process, you will simply end up with a gummy pan.
Maybe you have purchased your cast iron at a yard sale or thrift store and it has rusted. We obviously can’t have rust getting into your food.
How do you remove rust from cast iron?
Removing rust from cast iron can be done using a few different methods. Here’s a step-by-step guide for a common method using vinegar and elbow grease:
- Gather your supplies: You’ll need white vinegar, water, a scrub brush or steel wool, dish soap, paper towels or cloth, and vegetable oil or another type of food-safe oil for seasoning.
- Create a vinegar solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a container large enough to fully submerge the rusty cast iron.
- Soak the cast iron: Place the rusty cast iron item in the vinegar solution and let it soak for several hours or overnight. This will help loosen the rust.
- Scrub the rust: After soaking, use a scrub brush or steel wool to scrub away the loosened rust. You may need to apply some elbow grease for stubborn rust spots.
- Rinse and dry: Once you’ve removed the rust, rinse the cast iron item thoroughly with water to remove any vinegar residue. Then, dry it completely with paper towels or a clean cloth.
- Season the cast iron: To prevent future rusting, it’s important to season the cast iron. Apply a thin layer of vegetable oil or another food-safe oil to the entire surface of the cast iron item, including the handles and any crevices. Then, bake it in the oven according to the manufacturer’s instructions for seasoning cast iron.
- Maintain the seasoning: After each use, clean the cast iron with hot water and a mild dish soap. Avoid using harsh abrasives or soaking it for extended periods, as this can damage the seasoning.
If the rust is particularly stubborn or extensive, you may need to repeat the process or consider using a commercial rust remover specifically formulated for cast iron. Additionally, regular seasoning and proper care can help prevent rust from forming in the future.
Now we’ve a few answers into your burning cast iron maintenance questions –
1.Why is my cast iron pan sticky and with gummy? Using too much oil whenever you season cast iron will cause the pan to become too sticky. You will need to wash the pan using soap and warm water to remove the excess oil, then reseason it with simply a thin, thin, thin coating of oil.
2.What type of oil should I use into season my cast iron pan? Many lovers of cast iron cooking swear by flaxseed oil, as it builds up a smooth, hard finish each time you correctly season your pan. But because flaxseed oil can be very expensive along with fragile, canola oil is usually the next best choice.
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Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.
Step 2: Create a daily Housekeeping Schedule. You can use this series to start to set up your own schedule. You can also use this simplified weekly schedule.If you often ask: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Or, if you struggle to get organized and have tried and failed time and again, you can likely find out which of these 11 reasons cause you to fail to get organized.
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Check out the most popular posts on deemiddleton.com:
14 Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered
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What is Preventing You From Getting Organized?
Also, check out a great post on decluttering over here from becomingminimalist.com. Joshua Becker has some great tips on decluttering and minimalism.
For further reading, check out the fly lady here. She has some great cleaning and kitchen decluttering ideas plus excellent organization tips to get you started.
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