Cast iron pan have a special place in our cooking hearts as it’s durable, economical, versatile, soaks the heat well, and heats food properly. If accurately seasoned and preserved, the cast iron can stay for generations and withstand a long-lasting surface than the fashionable non-stick pans. Cast iron has to be well taken care of in order to do this. Read the article to know the basic methods to clean a cast iron pan.
Methods to Clean a Cast Iron Pan
1.) Salt to Clean a Cast Iron Pan
What You Require
- Salt
- Cast iron pan
- Dry cloth or towel
- Sponge or stiff brush
- Cooking oil
Steps to Clean a Cast Iron Pan
- Clean the cast iron pan immediately after use, when it is still warm or hot. Do not soak the pan or place it in the sink for a long time.
- Clean the cast iron pan by the help of hand using boiling water and a stiff brush or sponge.
- Do not use the soap, dishwasher, or steel wool at any cost as these can damage the pan’s seasoning.
- To take out food stick on it, rub the pan slowly with a paste of salt and water. Burnt food remains may also be loosened by hot water in the cast iron pan.
- Carefully dry the cast iron pan using the towel or dry it on the gas flames over low heat.
- Now, apply some cooking oil or melted butter using a paper towel or cloth to the inside of the cast iron pan.
- You can also apply the vegetable oil to the outside of the cast iron pan.
- Clean to take away any left over.
- Store the cast iron pan in a dry place.
2.) Baking Soda to Clean a Cast Iron Pan
What You Require
- Baking soda
- Dry cloth or towel
- Cast iron pan
- Cooking oil
- Sponge or stiff brush
Steps to Clean a Cast Iron Pan
- After cooking your favorite dish, just clean the iron pan with running tap water.
- Do not wait for its cooling down.
- Avoid the use of liquid or solid soap as it reduces the seasoning of the cast iron pan.
- To take out the remaining food out of the pan, apply some baking soda paste to inner surface of the pan slowly.
- Baking soda also helps to remove the rust from the cast iron skillet.
- Burnt food leftovers may also be released by hot water in the cast iron pan.
- Slowly dry the cast iron pan using the clean cloth or dry it on the low heat gas flames.
- Now, drop some cooking oil using a sprayer on the inside of the cast iron pan.
- Spread this oil gently using a paper towel or cloth.
- You can also apply the vegetable oil to the outside of the cast iron pan.
- Rinse to take away any left over.
- Store the cast iron pan in a dry place.
Additional Tips to Clean a Cast Iron Pan:
- Using detergent, abrasives or steel wool, is not the correct way to clean a cast iron pan.
- Always re-season the cast iron pan after cleaning.
- If the cast iron pan is well-seasoned from the day of its first use, a little amount of soft soap or liquid can be used without thinking much about the damage.
- Make sure, you have rinsed it quite well and apply vegetable or cooking oil after drying.
- Remove the rust using a steel wool or by scrubbing it with a slice of raw potato.
- The other way of taking out the rust is to sprinkle a pinch of baking soda.
- Always re-season the cast iron pan after cleaning, as it is necessary.
