Cast Iron Skillets can be used to fry, bake, and even grill your favorite foods to perfection. Let’s learn how to clean and season a cast iron skillet to keep it in tip-top shape!
How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet
It’s essential to take care of your cast-iron skillet to ensure it lasts for many years. Cleaning cast iron pans and dutch ovens is straightforward and doesn’t require much time. Let’s walk through the steps to keep your cast iron cookware in tip-top shape.
Scrub Gently with Warm Water
Let the hot pan cool completely, then use a brush or scraper to gently remove any food particles. It’s best to avoid using dish soap on your cast iron skillet as it can strip away the seasoning.
Instead, you can use a stainless steel chainmail scrubber or steel wool to clean the surface of the pan.
Rinse Thoroughly
After scrubbing, rinse the pan well with warm water. This ensures that no leftover food remains, which could stick to the pan and become harder to remove later on. A good rinse helps maintain the skillet’s condition.
Dry Completely
Any lingering moisture can lead to rust, which we want to avoid. To prevent it, grab a dish towel (one that you don’t mind getting a bit stained) and dry the skillet completely. Ensure there is no water in the pan.
If you’re faced with a stubborn mess, a sprinkle of kosher salt with a bit of neutral oil (like canola) can create a natural abrasive to help clean it with a scrub brush.
Removing Rust From Cast-Iron Skillet
Cleaning a rusty cast iron skillet can seem like a daunting task.
The first step in cleaning a cast-iron skillet with rust is to scrub off as much of the rust as possible using a steel wool pad or a wire brush. Make sure to scrub both the inside and outside of the cast-iron pan until the rust is completely removed.
Once the majority of the rust is gone, the next step is to wash the skillet with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge to remove any remaining rust particles.
Seasoning A Cast Iron Skillet
Seasoning cast iron skillets can make cooking easy. This process coats the pan in a layer that gives it a slick surface that lets eggs slide right off, but also protects it from getting rusty. Some new pans come pre-seasoned, but it is important to know how to season your pan yourself.
Clean Start: Begin with a spotless skillet. If it’s straight from the store, a simple water rinse is enough. For those that have been used, wash with warm, soapy water and scrub away with a sponge to remove any leftover food bits.
Drying Matters: After washing, grab a clean cloth and pat the skillet dry. It’s super important to make sure there’s no moisture left. Water can lead to rust.
Oiling Up: Now, it’s time to oil it up. Drizzle a small amount of vegetable oil over the inside surface of the skillet. Use a paper towel to rub the oil in, covering every inch. This oil acts as a barrier, protecting the skillet from moisture. Properly spreading your cooking oil is important to prevent uneven seasoning.
Bake: Place your oiled skillet upside down in a preheated oven at 450 degrees. Let it “bake” for 45 minutes. This is when the oil transforms into a protective layer. Make sure to cover the racks below in foil to catch excess oil drops. Once the time’s up, just turn off the oven and let the pan cool down inside. This slow cooling helps the seasoning to set.
Patience Pays Off: The more you cook with it and re-season it, the better it gets. Over time, it develops a dark, shiny, nonstick surface.
Extra Tips For Your Cast Iron Pan
Here’s how to keep it in tip-top shape:
Limit the washing: You don’t have to scrub your skillet after every meal. Just wipe the pan with a paper towel if it’s not too messy.
Dealing with strong flavors: Cooked something garlicky or fishy? It’s a good idea to clean the skillet to avoid those flavors popping up in your next dish. Scrub the pan clean with hot water and a brush. Don’t use steel wool on a seasoned pan
Avoid Acidic Food: Foods high in acidic content like tomatoes, citrus, and vinegar can strip the seasoning from your pan and make foods taste metallic.
Re-seasoning: Every so often, re-season your pan to prevent rust from building up
Oops, used soap? If you accidentally used soap, just dry your skillet and apply a thin layer of oil. Heat it up for an hour in the oven, and it’s like nothing happened.
Cook often: Believe it or not, cooking with cast iron improves it. Every time you cook, you’re building up that nonstick layer.
Clean Cast Iron Skillets: Ready To Cook
Now that you know how to clean and season your cast iron skillet, you’re all set to cook up a storm. Well seasoned and clean cast-iron skillets can last for a long time. It is important to take care and know how to season a cast-iron pan without damaging the pan itself.
