In this article, we will discuss how to clean a cast iron pan? These days most of the new cast iron pans and pots come pre-seasoned. This means the manufacturer applies vegetable based oil on the cast iron and bakes it at a very high temperature so the oil penetrates the cast iron. In case your cast iron pan didn’t come seasoned, you can season it just by coating it with any of the cooking oils and then baking it at 350 Degree for an hour. After that just wipe off the oil and it is ready to use. This procedure gives a nice seasoned pan to get started with. However, for a genuine, authentic patina, it is still important that you always maintain your cast iron pan and keep it clean and well oiled at all times. Below we have mentioned some simple and easy steps to clean a cast iron pan. And, remember this always – Do not put it in the dishwasher ever. Follow the below steps thoroughly to get the best result.
Steps to Clean a Cast Iron Pan
Things You Will Need:
- Stove (optional)
- Clean, dry cloth or paper towels
- Cast iron skillet
- Kosher salt (optional)
- Sponge or stiff brush
- Vegetable oil or shortening
Directions to Clean a Cast Iron Pan
1.) First and foremost thing is to always clean the pan immediately after use, when it is still hot or warm. Also, do not soak the pan or leave it in the sink, as it may rust.
2.) Wash the cast iron pan by hand using hot water and a sponge or a stiff brush. Do not use the soap, dishwasher, or steel wool, because these may strip the seasoning of your cast iron pan.
3.) To get rid of stuck-on food, you will need to scrub the pan using a paste of coarse kosher salt and water. You can also use boiling water to get rid of stubborn food residue. This will loosen the residue quickly.
4.) After you have cleaned the pan, you will need to towel dry it thoroughly. You can also make it dry on the stove over a low heat.
5.) Now, you will need to apply a light coat of vegetable oil or vegetable shortening on the inside of your cast iron pan. You can apply it using a cloth or paper towel. If you like, you can also oil the outside of the pan. And, buff it to get rid of any excess.
6.) Finally, store the pan in a dry place.
Additional Notes to Clean a Cast Iron Pan:
- Although you can use soap, steel wool, or other abrasive products on your cast iron cookware, but you may need to re-season the cast iron frequently. If your pan is well-seasoned from years of use, using a small amount of mild soap will not do much damage – just always make sure that you rinse it thoroughly and oil it after drying.
- In case your cast iron pan have rust, you can remove it with the help of steel wool or by rubbing it using a combination of half raw potato and a sprinkle of baking soda. Again, it may be important to re-season the pan after cleaning thoroughly.
