How to clean cast iron skillet is one tough question to answer. Many people are intimidated by the arduous effort to cleaning a cast iron pan scaring people from using one. However, thekitchn.com notes that cast iron skillets are the best for one-pan cooking.
The website noted that apart from heating your food evenly, you could use it on stovetop or oven. Best of all, it is naturally nonstick so you do not have to worry about food wastage from sticking onto your pan.
Here are 6 quick and easy steps to follow on how to clean a cast-iron skillet.
Materials that you need for cleaning
- Cast iron skillet
- Sponge or a stiff brush
- A clean and dry cloth or paper towels
- Shortening or vegetable oil
- Kosher salt (optional)
- Stove (optional)
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Instructions
- Wash it. Right after use, clean the cast iron while still hot or warm. Never soak or leave the pan in the sink as it may cause rusting.
- Add hot water. Using hot water, wash the skillet by hand using a sponge or a stiff brush. If the water is extra hot, use a pair of tongs or wear gloves to avoid burning. As much as possible, avoid using soap, dishwashers, or steel wool, as they might strip the pan's seasoning.
- Scrub off food particles that have stuck on the pan. Use coarse kosher salt and water to scrub away stuck-on food on the pan. Rinse and wipe with a paper towel afterward. If there are stubborn food residue, you may loosen them by boiling water in the pan.
- Drying the iron skillet. Dry the skillet thoroughly using a towel. You could also heat it on the stove over low heat to evaporate water.
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- Oil it. Lightly coat the cast iron skillet with melted shortening or vegetable oil using a cloth or paper towel. Some people coat the whole pan to protect it from corroding. Buff away any excess oil.
- Keep it. Store the pan in a dry place to avoid rusting.
Some notes to point
If you accidentally used steel wool, soap, and other abrasives when washing your cast iron skillet, do not worry. You could still save it by re-seasoning the pan. A well-seasoned skillet would not get harmed by a small amount of mild soap. Just follow the steps to bring it back to its normal state.
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If you found rusts, use a half potato to rub the pan then sprinkle baking soda. Re-season the pan after removing the rust and cleaning. Following these steps is the way to prolonging the shelf-life of your cast iron pan.
It may seem daunting at first, but once you get used to it, you will notice that protecting your cookware is quite easy.
