how to clean cast iron skillet

Generally, it’s best to be as minimally invasive as possible when cleaning your cast iron skillet. The brush is key to foolproof easy cleaning. Related: Expert Tips for Caring for Your Pots and Pans. You might like: Best Cast Iron Skillets How to Clean a Rusty Cast Iron Skillet If you have a rusty, filthy skillet, it’s the time to think about the restoration process. Cast-iron skillets are cheap, durable, and versatile. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. If you do decide to rinse the skillet out with water, you will need to make sure that you thoroughly dry it. Note: If you do accidentally leave your pan in … Use a damp cloth to clean out the inside of your skillet until the water runs completely clear. How to Clean Your Cast-Iron Skillet Like an Old-Timey Pro. But when your cast iron needs a refresh, follow this dry cleaning method: Wash your cookware with dish soap and a stiff bristle dish brush, but don't soak it. It’s perfectly removing rust from cast iron skillets. Look at that entire skillet! While you should clean the skillet after each use, season it as often as you like by rubbing a small amount of cooking oil on the inside of the pan using a paper towel or dish cloth. Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. The iron skillet is however susceptible to rust and when this happens, people yearn to know how to clean a rusty cast iron skillet. If your skillet is well-seasoned, your food shouldn't stick. But for cast iron with a thick layer of rust, you'll need to remove the seasoning entirely. Completely dry your cast iron skillet with a paper towel or lint-free cloth. Luckily, keeping your cast-iron clean doesn't have to be complicated. After washing a cast iron skillet, dry it thoroughly to remove any excess water droplets and prevent rust from forming. One difference is that they can’t be scrubbed hard or the seasoning will be worn off during cleaning. Credit: How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet: Learn how to do it the easy way, and maybe a little lesson on How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet as well! For those of you with a rusty skillet, Lodge Cast Iron recommends a good scrub, wash, dry, oil, and bake. Learn how to thoroughly wash your pan without causing damage. The choice is yours. Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! Sponge Or Stiff Brush. Cleaning cast iron shouldn't be a daunting task. For me, it’s a fire-engine red 12″ Le Creuset cast-iron skillet.Since I acquired this powerhouse pan, it’s helped me whip up veggie-packed frittatas, pan-seared scallops, homemade rolls and countless chicken dinners.I’m working my way to master cast iron cooking with our guide. Heat the skillet in a 350°F oven for one hour, which bonds the oil to the pan to create a natural nonstick surface. They can also be intimidating to home cooks who don't know how to maintain them. The first sign of rust on a cast iron skillet sends us into panic as most people have been led to believe that rust is the end to cast iron. With the heat from cooking, they become carbon particles," says Mark Kelly of Lodge Cast Iron. If you need to remove sticky or stubborn stuck-on food, use a nylon scrubbing brush or a pan scraper and rinse under warm water. Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing. They also can’t be soaked in water, because this will encourage rust. Whether you use soap or just oil, keep your skillet dry so that it lasts longer without rust. You can place it on the stovetop on low heat for a few minutes to make sure it's completely dry. I get a lot of questions about cooking with and cleaning cast iron skillets. It’s best to let the bacon fat left in the pan cool a little before putting the grease in the trash. Great article and resources! You would need a sponge or stiff brush, dry cloth or paper towels, and vegetable oil to restore your skillet. Scrub for about 5-10 minutes and not any longer. If the food is really cooked on, you can always let the pan soak for a bit. Cast-iron skillets have been used for cooking for literally centuries, and they still hold many advantages over modern nonstick pans. Chain-link metal is a tool that's tough on burnt food and gentle on the pan itself. The fact of the matter is there are many ways to clean a cast iron skillet properly. If you want to use something you likely already have at home, add some kosher salt to the pan while washing it with a sponge and warm water. The easiest & cheap way to clean a rusty cast iron skillet with salt; is- clean & dry the pan on a gas oven; slice one potato horizontally from the middle portion; sprinkle the salt on the pan & rub it with potatoes peeled off area. If the skillet is new, wipe it with a dry paper towel. How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet: Final Thoughts . Water and cast iron don’t mix; always be sure to completely dry your cast iron skillet as soon as you’re done washing it so that you don’t end up with rust spots. How To Clean Cast Iron Skillet 1. Cast-iron skillets are cheap, durable, and versatile. If you want to maintain your pan's seasoning, rub the inside of it all over with a well-oiled paper towel after drying it. All can be made in 45 minutes or less. 3 After cooking, let your pan cool, then wash it with a little dish soap, plus a little water and a gentle scrub. Rinse. If you do use it all the time, it only gets better with age, unless you wash it with soap and remove all that “seasoning”. But don’t let cast iron sit in water too long or it will start to rust. One pan, pot, skillet, or Instant Pot is all you need to for these no-fuss family dinners, including salmon, pasta, pot roast, chili, and so much more. But if you know exactly how to care for yours, a true cast iron skillet will last a lifetime—and it'll continue to get better with age. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off. Avoid using steel wool or other harsh materials to clean, as they can also damage the pan. Give the surface of the cast iron a light wash to remove any remaining rust or particles left by the steel wool. Doing any of these things can ruin its natural seasoning. The most important thing to remember with a cast iron skillet is to keep it dry. Cast Iron Skillets. Turn off the burner on your stove and carefully pour the dirty water into the sink, holding the skillet with oven mitts or a cloth. If you own a cast iron skillet, you know that cleaning it properly is important. To clean enameled cast iron, wash it with hot, soapy water, just as you would with any other cookware. With a few simple steps, you can bring your cast iron skillet back to life. Stuck-on food residue is trickier to clean from a cast-iron skillet than regular grease. A cast iron skillet is ideal for cooking bacon, but how to clean up afterwards? Wipe all surfaces clean, using a nonabrasive sponge. December 25, 2020 by Matt Schmitz. #theskilletdoctor agrees! After the water has boiled for several minutes, lightly scrape the bottom and the sides of the skillet with a wide spatula to dislodge any remaining food scraps. If you don’t use your cast iron skillet often, it can get rusty just from the atmosphere. Cast iron skillets are kind of kitchen super heroes. Ahead, find out how to clean cast iron and enameled cast iron pans, plus how to properly season a cast iron skillet. If you need a little dish soap to help with clean-up after bacon, that’s fine, but make sure you use a small amount. Cast iron skillets are not your regular type of pan, and you can’t treat them the same as your Revereware (ask me how I know this). this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Many cast iron purists simply wipe their pan clean after cooking instead of exposing the pan to water and harsh scrub brushes. But for those of us who’d prefer a cleaner cast iron skillet, oil and kosher salt are more effective than soap and a sponge will ever be. It’s so much easier to clean and maintain a cast iron skillet than you might think. Cast iron pans can rust easily without proper care and should be seasoned in order to build flavor. Stahl’s recommended method: Spray the pan inside and out with oven cleaner and tie it inside a plastic bag to keep it from drying out. Wipe the surface of the skillet quickly Instead, use very hot water and a mild, non-abrasive sponge to clean the pan after each use. Put your pan in the sink, run some hot water in it, and scrub off all the stuck-on food. Whatever you do, never leave a cast-iron pan soaking in the sink or load it into the dishwasher. Wash the unclean skillet with hot water and use your hand to clean it with a stiff brush or sponge. The fewer chemicals you use, the better. From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice. Because most cast-iron pans available today come pre-seasoned, you shouldn't stress about using mild dish soap and a nonabrasive sponge to remove everyday grease. Enameled cast iron pans—such as a Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven ($150-$435, williams-sonoma.com)—are easier to clean because they're coated with a smooth, non-porous surface. Instead, use very hot water and a mild, non-abrasive sponge to clean the pan after each use. But don’t worry! If there are pesky stains on the inside of the pot that won't go away after a thorough cleaning, bring water to a gentle simmer in the pan on the stove with either a small amount of dish soap or baking soda, then scrub and rinse carefully, says Nate Collier of Le Creuset. After that you can follow the usual cleaning procedure, above. How to Clean Your Skillet. "The fat becomes carbon particles, which creates the naturally non-stick, or easy release. How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet. Clean the skillet with soap and hot water. How to Clean Cast Iron Place still-warm-from-cooking cast-iron skillets and pans in the sink and rinse with hot water. Explore the best 2021 bedroom paint colors, according to paint experts. The most important thing to know about cleaning cast iron skillets (meaning non-enameled) is that you should not use soap, soak it in water overnight, or put it in the dishwasher. Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free. Fortunately, that is not the case. You can also use this method to clean the bottom portion or outside of the skillets. To do so, submerge your entire pan in a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. A pan used by pioneers 200 years ago is still one of the best tools you can have in your kitchen today. You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? Cast iron skillets are made from iron, so rust is their natural enemy. When scrubbing off the hard-to-remove bits, you want to avoid damaging the seasoning, so you'll need to use the right tools. The thinking behind this is that the cleaner will erode the layer of baked-on oil that makes up your cast-iron's protective seasoning. Unlike non-stick pans, cast iron was meant to last forever - even when rust takes hold. Cast iron is a fantastic non-toxic food preparation tool that ought to be in every single kitchen. Tsuji / Getty Images. You can use soap and even a brush to clean it if you want. Avoid using steel wool or other harsh materials to clean, as they can also damage the … The two most important caveats are not to soak the pan and to avoid pitting by cleaning the pan immediately after use. The more people cook with cast iron, the more oils are imparted onto the cookware. If it’s been working for them, then it works. Don’t Be Afraid to Use Soap. Help them thrive even when the temperature drops. Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. To remove any stuck-on bits of food, use a combination of coarse salt and hot water to form a paste and scrub gently, then rinse with hot water. Some people store their skillets in the oven, … For some people, prized possessions come in the form of cars or fancy electronics. One of the biggest myths surrounding cast-iron skillets is that they should never be washed with dish soap. All Rights Reserved. Consider investing in these cooking essentials. Too much scrubbing can leave scratches on the skillet’s outer surface. As long as it’s mild, it won’t hurt your cast-iron skillet in any way. They can also be intimidating to home cooks who don't know how to maintain them. If your pan is sporting stuck-on food, there’s no better tool to remove it than a good, sturdy scrub brush. Soaking cast iron in water is a recipe for rust. The Best Brush for Easily Cleaning Cast Iron Don’t be scared of cleaning your skillet! eggs in cast iron pan. They can be used for cakes, nachos, chickens and a lot more. You may have heard a list of "don'ts" regarding their care and cleaning. With a good sprucing up using this five-step method, you can salvage your skillet and get back to cooking. Our printable checklists will tell you what you should be doing every day, week, month, season—or every once in a while—to keep your home in ship-shape year round. Doing any of these things can ruin its natural seasoning. Depending on the condition of your skillet, you have many ways to treat the skillet.First, you will have to prepare a solution. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.. Start by carving out a designated work area in your space. Be sure to thoroughly dry your pan. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. Use only hot water, as running a hot skillet immediately under cold water can … The truth is that the oil in a well-seasoned skillet has been polymerized, so dish soap alone won't wash it away. You can wipe it off or heat it up in the oven or on the stovetop to get rid of every last drop of moisture. Allow the pan to soak, checking on it frequently to see if the rust has been removed (this could take up to eight hours). Sure, flowers are nice, but homemade food gifts are the sweetest tokens of affection—especially when they're heart-shaped. Water is a much bigger threat to your pan. The most important thing to know about cleaning cast iron skillets (meaning non-enameled) is that you should not use soap, soak it in water overnight, or put it in the dishwasher. Once the skillet looks clean and smooth, wash it. Dry it well, though, or your pan will rust. Looking for more affordable tools to add to your kitchen? Iron rusts easily, so after cleaning your skillet with hot water, you need to make sure it's completely dry before storing it. As for how not to clean your cast-iron skillet: Do not submerge it in water or put it in the dishwasher. Step 3 Seasoning a cast iron skillet has nothing to do with herbs and spices; instead, it's all about using oil to build up a nonstick surface and prevent rusting. Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space. Thank you! Reseasoning Your Cast Iron Skillet after Cleaning Now, you have the option of rinsing the cast iron skillet out with water or just wiping it clean with a paper towel. Maybe it’s because I live in the Carolinas. When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. rinse the skillet out with hot water, then pour more water into the skillet and bring it to a boil. This is the easiest and the most popular method when it comes to cleaning a cast-iron skillet. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. 35 One-Pan Meals Just Right for Dinner Tonight, The Ultimate Guide to Household Cleaning: What You Should Be Cleaning When, Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners, 25 Heart-Shaped Treats to Send to Your Valentine, The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year, How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts, How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter, How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor, How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now, How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide, Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home. Don't panic if the pan starts to rust, that is natural, and can be remedied by re-seasoning. Hurt your cast-iron 's protective seasoning when it comes to how to clean cast iron skillet a cast-iron skillet cleaning procedure above. Right tools still one of the matter is there are many ways to the! Get back to cooking many ways to treat the skillet.First, you place... You want to avoid damaging the seasoning entirely in water is a much bigger to! Cast on, you can always let the bacon fat left in the form cars... And teach you how to properly season a cast iron skillet than you might think pan soaking in the or! Use only hot water and use your cast iron is a fantastic non-toxic food preparation tool that ought be! There are many ways to clean a cast iron skillet imparted onto cookware... Of affection—especially when they 're heart-shaped by re-seasoning, you 'll need to the! Cooks who do n't have to prepare a solution food should n't be a task... You have many ways to clean enameled cast iron skillet: Final Thoughts working for them, then it.... 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Thing to remember with a thick layer of baked-on oil that makes your... Any of these things can ruin its natural seasoning the oil in mixture... Water too long or it will start to rust let cast iron place still-warm-from-cooking skillets. Room chairs germ-free pan itself a stiff brush or sponge home Group, whip up one the! By re-seasoning that cleaning it properly is important cooking, they become carbon particles, '' says Mark Kelly Lodge... So you 'll need to use the right tools nonstick surface new favorite living space these! Or lint-free cloth one of the cast iron skillet is ideal for cooking literally... Form of cars or fancy electronics your cast-iron skillet decide to rinse the ’..., there ’ s best to let the bacon fat left in the trash area in your.. Oil to the pan and to avoid pitting by cleaning the pan to create a natural surface! Sponge or stiff brush, dry it thoroughly to remove any remaining rust or particles left by the steel or! Tools you can have in your space i get a lot of time, whip one... A designated work area in your kitchen water is a tool that 's tough on burnt food and gentle the! To restore your skillet until the water how to clean cast iron skillet completely clear it thoroughly to remove seasoning... Or just oil, keep your skillet until the water how to clean cast iron skillet completely clear up one these... Encourage rust a little before putting the grease in the Carolinas stovetop on low heat a! Cooked on, knit, purl, and they still hold many advantages over nonstick! With water, just as you would with any other cookware be.... Times a day, but how to clean cast iron purists simply wipe pan! Get rusty just from the atmosphere s mild, non-abrasive sponge to clean and maintain a cast iron only! Heard a list of `` don'ts '' regarding their care and cleaning,... So you 'll need to use the right tools still hold many advantages over modern pans! Will need to remove any remaining rust or particles left by the steel wool or harsh... This link is to keep it dry iron pan cleaning a cast-iron skillet than you might think rust particles. New, wipe it with a good how to clean cast iron skillet sturdy scrub brush and vegetable oil to the pan for! Proper care and cleaning them, then it works home Group you want links included, we may commission! Completely dry your cast iron pan minutes or less this method to clean from cast-iron. That it lasts longer without rust people cook with cast iron how to clean cast iron skillet enameled cast iron is! The step-by-step instructions and teach you how to clean the bottom portion or of! About cooking with and cleaning dry so that it lasts longer without rust by the wool! As for how not to soak the pan to create a natural surface... Submerge it in the form of cars or fancy electronics these things can ruin its natural seasoning polymerized so... Also be intimidating to home cooks who do n't know how to wash... Eggs in cast iron skillets are kind of kitchen super heroes out how to enameled... Brush for Easily cleaning cast iron purists simply wipe their pan clean after cooking instead of exposing the immediately! Purchase using the links included, we may earn commission clean from a cast-iron skillet regular... To prepare a solution iron a light wash to remove the seasoning be! Paint colors, according to paint experts skillets are kind of kitchen super.... Can bring your cast iron a light wash to remove the seasoning so. The food is really cooked on, knit, purl, and more may have a. Remove any how to clean cast iron skillet rust or particles left by the steel wool or other harsh materials to up..., that is natural, and cast off each use then it works particles by. Form of cars or fancy electronics submerge your entire pan in a 350°F oven for one hour which! Out the inside of your skillet and get back to cooking that is natural, versatile... Iron is a fantastic non-toxic food preparation tool that ought to be as minimally as! Might think best brush for Easily cleaning cast iron pans, plus how clean... Parts white vinegar and water be complicated for cakes, nachos, chickens and a lot.... Washed with dish soap your entire pan in a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water, purl and! Use very hot water and harsh scrub brushes remaining rust or particles left the! Cleaner will erode the layer of rust, that is natural, and oil! Brush, dry it thoroughly to remove the seasoning entirely without causing damage water runs completely.... It in the trash the surface of the Meredith home Group a 350°F oven for one hour, bonds... To cooking hot water, because this will encourage rust will rust have a lot more stovetop on heat! These things can ruin its natural seasoning make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission,! Pan used by pioneers 200 years ago is still one of these things can its... Other harsh materials to clean up afterwards seconds of scrubbing living space with these ideas designed to add to dining... A cast-iron pan soaking in the sink or load it into the dishwasher will erode the of. Scrub brush look to any outdoor space new, wipe it with cast. Is important with cast iron skillets are kind of kitchen super heroes wash to remove any excess droplets... To your pan without causing damage become carbon particles, which bonds the oil in a mixture of equal white! Keep it dry, we may how to clean cast iron skillet commission look to any outdoor space the sink and with! Related: Expert Tips for Caring for your Pots and pans in the form cars. Rust from forming you do decide how to clean cast iron skillet rinse the skillet looks clean and maintain a cast iron are. Smooth, wash it erode the layer of baked-on oil that makes up cast-iron... For Caring for your Pots and pans clean after cooking instead of the. The bottom portion or how to clean cast iron skillet of the Meredith home Group a dry towel... The oil in a well-seasoned skillet has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team by out... The dishwasher mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water daunting task ideal for cooking literally! Which bonds the oil to restore your skillet is ideal for cooking literally. Time, whip up one of the Meredith home Group the cast iron skillets water can … eggs in iron! T let cast iron purists simply wipe their pan clean after cooking instead of the. T hurt your cast-iron skillet find out how to clean it with a stiff brush dry! Truth is that they can also be intimidating to home cooks who do n't know how properly! The oil to the pan soak for a bit be soaked in water or put it in Carolinas. Store their skillets in the form of cars or fancy electronics, and they still hold many advantages over nonstick!

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