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We are going give you the right tips on How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet. So many do’s and don’ts that it can get confusing. Which can scare you aware of using your cast iron skillet.
How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet the Right Way:
These steps will give you the right way to clean your cast iron skillet. It can get confusing on how to clean your skillet. There are so many do’s and don’ts that it causes people not to use the iron skillet.
I have been loving my cast iron pan so we’re using it every day now, so it doesn’t take long for the cast iron skillet to show some wear and need to be re-seasoned to make it look like new again!
Make sure you check out how to properly season your pan so when it comes time to clean it, your skillet is ready to go.
What you Need:
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Scraper
- Paper Towels
How to Clean Cast Iron Skillets:
- Remove any grease – Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Add water and heat pan – Add water in the pan and heat is over medium high heat.
- Scrape pan – Use a scraper to scrape off any food still stuck on the grill. Do not use steel wool to scrap the pan.
- Let Pan Cool – Once everything is removed, remove from the heat, drain off the water and let the pan cool.
- Rinse Pan – Then rinse the pan thoroughly with cool water.
- Dry – Dry immediately with a paper towel.
Does Soap actually Ruin Cast Iron?
We have actually research this thoroughly and found that dish soap does not ruin your hot pan. If you season your cast iron skillet properly then you really won’t need to use a lot of soap. Just a good water no-soap scrub should work.
But if you do have a pan that is really grease, then a little soap and a good scrub is not going to hurt your cast iron skillet. You may need to go back through the steps of seasoning with oil to get it back to a usable skillet.
Cast Iron Skillet Tips:
- Use as little soap as possible when cleaning your cast iron every time you cook. Most times hot water and a scrubber will be sufficient to clean your cast iron skillet.
- If you find that food is sticking to your skillet, that means that it is time to re-season it. Just follow the steps above regularly to enjoy your cast iron skillet.
Do you have to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet every time?
We recommend cleaning the skillet after each use. It may be as simple is wiping the skillet with a paper towel or rinsing with warm water. Just make sure before you store that it is dried completely.
Drying your skillet ensure that it doesn’t get rusty.
What can Ruin a Cast Iron Skillet:
There are several ways that you can ruin a cast iron skillet. It doesn’t mean that it can never be used again. It just means that you will need to season it again thoroughly.
- Putting in the Dishwasher
- Letting the Skillet Soak
- Not using salt to scrub
- Leaving foods caked on
- Not oiling the skillet
- Storing it wet
What is the Best Oil to Season a Cast Iron Skillet:
When seasoning your cast iron skillet it is best to season when it is completely cooled. Apply a light coat with about 1 tablespoon of Vegetable Oil. We recommend to not use excessive oil. Start with a small amount.
If you don’t have vegetable oil, you can use canola oil or a high quality olive oil or cooking oil. You just want to make sure to use an oil that has a high smoke point, so avoid flaxseed oil and avocado oil.
Reasoning a cast iron skillet is a process called polymerization. When oils or fats are heated at a high enough temperature, they harden on the surface.
Easy Way to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet:
There really isn’t a wrong way to properly care for your cast iron skillet, other than putting in the dishwasher. As long as you have a good scraper to get the stuck on foods off and a little water, you cast iron will be good as knew.
This easy to clean skillet is very forgiving even if you do have a few rust spots. As long as you properly season it then you should be able to use it for many years to come.
We use our cast iron cookware for many different recipes, including seasoned diced chicken, some sticks and even scrambled eggs. All comes out so flavorful and delicious.
Print Instructions Here on How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet:
How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 piece paper towel
- 1 scraper
Instructions
- Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Place a small amount of water in the pan and heat is over medium high heat. Use a scraper to scrape off any food still stuck on the grill.
- Once everything is removed, remove from the heat, drain off the water and let the pan cool.
- Then rinse the pan thoroughly with cool water.
- Dry immediately with a paper towel.
Cast Iron Skillet Recipes:
To add to the Cast Iron tips. My grand mother gave me ALL of her cast iron skillets & griddles just before she passed away in 1984 at age of 91 yrs old, (they range from 6″ up to 14″ & two standard griddles). At age of 16 she taught me to cook in all of those skillets. I have made MANY MANY meals in those suckers! She taught me how to pre-treat a new skillet to cleaning the older ones. I am 68 yr old & I am still using them to this day! I have bought new cast iron skillets for all my kids & daughter-in-law & have taught them just like my gramma did. It takes me back & I find my self occasionally day dreaming to the days I was at her stove learning how to cook in them & many of the wonderful recipes I still cook to this day.
How she taught me to re-treat a new skillet was: was it in very hot water. put on stove top to dry bottom, flip over & dry the inside. Cool down, add about 1/4- 1/2″ of vegetable oil in the skillet. Bake pan, skillet, griddle – or whatever cast iron you have, bake at 200-250 degree oven for about 3-4 hrs. Drain dirty oil – repeat it again for another 2-3 hrs. Drain oil, cool, any remaining oil use paper towel to wipe skillet. Store on top of stove or in oven for next use.
Now to clean it: Sort of what you stated above, but she did, scrap any scrapes from skillet & then run very hot water in it for a few seconds, then put more very hot water in skillet to soak. She soaked it long enough to wash rest of dinner dishes. Then took the skillet, drained the dirty water, used a metal scrubber (not a Brillo pad or any with soap on it), clean it well. Now put it on stove top to on heat, & dry it that way. Let slightly cool, then Drop about a cap full or so of oil in pan, take a paper towel & wipe oil in warm pan & along top edge & part of the handle. I have done this method all these years & like I said, I still have her cast iron skillets/griddles. Yes, they are warn, but warn with lots of love & great meal prepared in them 🙂