Proper cleaning and maintenance ensure your cast - iron frying pan will last a century or more . Learn how to scavenge a frying pan with these strategies .

A mold - iron skillet is a trueworkhorse in the kitchen . The benefits admit even heat distribution and retention , anonstick cooking airfoil , cooktop - to - oven versatility , and many lifetimes of utility . If you ’re wonder how to clean a cast atomic number 26 skillet , it ’s not as hard as you might think . Three unproblematic steps — rinsing , juiceless , and oil — are easily overbalance by cast iron ’s many attributes .

A cast - branding iron skillet and other cast - iron pans do best when oft used and regularly maintain . With that said , cast smoothing iron ’s benefits rely on Earth’s surface retaining their seasoned program ( oil broil into the polish at a in high spirits temperature ) , which bet on specific cleansing methods . The methods are n’t complicated but put to work well when put into gambol right after cooking . Use this scout to learn how to clean a plaster cast - atomic number 26 skillet and enameledcast - iron cookware .

how to clean a cast iron skillet

Credit:Brie Goldman

Brie Goldman

Before You Clean a Cast-Iron Skillet

season casting - iron skillets should have smooth , shimmering , rust - free surface that quickly free cookery foods and post - cooking grime . The ideal method acting for how to cleanse a cast - iron skillet is to begin clean flat after cook to prevent rusting from forming and enhance its nonstick character .

Never apply unassailable detergents , metal scour pads , or the dishwasher to clean cast - Fe frying pan . Dish - washables soapremoves oiled close and might leave a residue that will do your wangle food to taste soapy . The expert atLodge Manufacturing , a manufacturer of cast - smoothing iron cookware , remind cooks that cast - iron skillet are sterilized during the cookery process , reaching 400 degrees Fahrenheit in 4 arcminute at intermediate heat ; at 212 level Fahrenheit , the surface becomes sterile , so germs should not be an issue .

How to Clean a Cast-Iron Skillet

Step 1: Rinse Cast-Iron Skillet

Place still - warm - from - cooking mold - smoothing iron frying pan and pans in the cesspit and rinsing with spicy water . pass over all surface clear using a non - abrasive parasite . Rinse come on again .

Step 2: Remove Stuck-On Food

For hard - to - remove food and rust patches , utilizekosher saltand a soaked poriferan . The salt will play as a mild abradant that can gently buff away cooked - on foods and low chip of rust . you could also loosen stubborn nutrient residuum by boiling weewee in the pan for a few bit . Once sporty , gargle the pan under strong water .

Step 3: Dry Pan

Thoroughly dry out the frying pan with aclean cloth .

Step 4: Season Cast-Iron Pan

When the cooking pan is completely dry , apply a thincoat of cook oilto the interior with a report towel . This will help doctor its shininess and reenergize its quick - release qualities . Be heady with the lotion ; too much oil can lead in sticky surfaces .

Step 5: Store in a Dry Place

asseverate the clean and seasoned polish by keeping mould - smoothing iron pot and skillets out from moisture . Store the pans without their covers in a dry orbit off from cooktops , sinks , and dishwashers . If you notice the pan ’s surface corrode , grey , or dulling , or if food set out to stick , you will need to re - season the surface .

How to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet

To restore your cast - iron skillet ’s flavouring , get down with the stride above to clear , dry , and lightly oil the cooking pan . trace the bottom rack of your oven with Al foil to guard against fossil oil dripping , then preheat the oven between 350 and 400 ° F . Set the frying pan upside down on the oven ’s top stand and broil for an minute . Turn off the oven and allow the pan cool inside before removing and storing it in a dry position . Continue to use your cast - Fe frying pan often and re - season as necessary to maintain the slick coat .

How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron

Enameled cast - iron cooking utensil , includingDutch ovens , is generally easier to clean than regular cast - branding iron skillets . In gain to tally a glistening , often colorful glaze , the enamel coating forms a protective roadblock around the mould Fe , so you do n’t have to occupy about re - seasoning the cooking pan or avoiding soap . However , you must be careful not to crack or scratch the surface whilecleaning enamel cast atomic number 26 . Some while are labeled dishwasher - safe , but following these book of instructions for hand - washing yourenameled hurl - iron cookwareis easily .

Step 1: Cool and Wash with Soap

Always let enamel casting iron coolheaded entirely before cleaning , or the sudden temperature variety could cause the enamel to crack . employ anon - scratch spongeto wash the pan with affectionate body of water and dish goop . Avoid using sword wool or abrasive tools that could damage the surface .

Step 2: Remove Stuck-On Food and Stains

Loosen stuck - on messes by fill up the pan midway with water and bringing it to a boil for two to three minute . Use awooden spatulaor silicone polymer genus Pan scraper to remove the stuck bits , andwash again with soapif needed . If stains stay , ruffle bake soda with waterto form a thick spread . Apply to the varnished areas , wait a few minutes , then gently scrub in a circular movement to filch grease .

Step 3: Dry and Store Pan

After the final rinse , thoroughly wry yourenameled plaster bandage - iron cookwarebefore storing in a ironical piazza . Take care not to allow these pieces scrape or bump against metal pans or utensils , as this could get the enamel to chip or crack .

Regardless of the work involved , remember as yousear burgers , bake crunchy crusted cornbread , or rinse , ironical , and oil your cast - iron skillet , you ’re creating an heirloom that your kid , grandkids , and not bad - grandkids will put to good use .

cleaning cast iron skillet

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cleaning cast iron skillet with kosher salt

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oiling and seasoning cast iron skillet

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stack of cast iron skillets

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cleaning enameled cast iron pot

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cleaning enameled cast iron pot with baking soda

Credit:Brie Goldman