What is the best way to clean cast iron cookware?

The use of cast iron cookware has been around for decades, but their recent renaissance has likely left you wondering how to clean one effectively. Is dishwashing liquid the worst enemy of the cast iron skillet? Is steel wool its bestie? Do you think it's fine to never clean it? If you're unfamiliar with this cooking essential, you're not alone in having these concerns.

Best way to clean cast iron cookware:

Mild dish soap (yes, a little soap is fine!) should do the trick for cleaning. and a scouring pad or pan cleaning brush for cast iron. Cleaning it thoroughly involves washing, scrubbing, rinsing, and wiping it down before seasoning with oil and storing it with a paper towel over the top.

If the food is truly burned on, you can try using really hot water with a spatula instead of soap and a scrubby. It's how professional kitchen staff clean, so it should work for your home cookware, too.

Cleaning stuck on bits:

When the seasoning on a cast iron cookware wears down and gets thin in certain spots, it can cause food to stick. Add a quarter cup of kosher salt and a few drops of warm water to a warm (not hot) pan to loosen any stubbornly stuck food. To gently scrape away the grime, use a Scotch-Brite sponge, or a scrub brush. It's like giving your cookware a facelift, except better, because the salt will dissolve as you scrub without removing the seasoning. Maintain standard procedure by washing, drying, and oiling the pan.

Related Article: Cast iron or normal iron - which is better for cooking?

Use boiling water for stubborn

Put one or two cups of water in the pot and boil the water over high heat to release the grime. After waiting a few minutes, you may employ a wooden spatula to brush off the food remnants that didn't come off on their own. A wooden spatula, which are designed for this specific task, will work fine. Follow standard procedure for cleaning and oiling the pan afterward.

How to dry cast iron cookware:

Now that you've washed and dried it, you need to make sure the rust doesn't return. In a nutshell, you put the pan on top of the stove, set the heat to high, and wait for the water to evaporate. The rust on that cast iron is almost dry.

Taking care of cast iron cookware:

You may need to reseason the pan two or three times before using it again if it was too rusty. Check out how to clean a rusty cast iron pan for more information on restoring old cast iron.

When you repeat the process of washing, drying on the stovetop, oiling, and cooling your cast-iron skillet, you'll notice that it becomes simpler to clean, more nonstick, and less prone to rust with each cycle. It's true that a well-seasoned cast iron pan is much simpler to clean.

FAQs on Cast Iron Cookware:

So, now you know how to properly care for and season a cast-iron pan. We hope this helps answer some of your most pressing issues about care.

Ques: What caused my cast iron cookware to become gummed up?

Ans: Cast iron becomes sticky if too much oil is used during the seasoning process. To get rid of the extra oil, wash the pan in hot soapy water, and then re season it with an extremely light coating of oil.

Ques: When seasoning my cast iron skillet, what kind of oil should I use?

Ans: Flaxseed oil is highly recommended by those who often cook with cast iron because it creates a durable, even coating with each seasoning. Canola oil is commonly used as a substitute for flaxseed oil because the latter is both costly and perishable (it must be kept cold).

Ques: My brand-new pan boasts that it comes pre seasoned. Can I skip the seasoning this time?

Ans: Even if you've already seasoned your cast-iron pan, it's a good idea to give it an extra coating of protection before using it for the first time, and you should always reseason it after each use.

Ques: Is oven seasoning a viable option for a cast iron pan?

Ans: Indeed, a great many people do. To season cast iron cookware, follow these instructions. In the beginning, you need to clean the cast iron skillet. Put some vegetable oil on a paper towel and use it to coat the inside and outside of the pan with a light layer of oil. Then, in an oven prepared to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the pan upside down (lay a sheet of aluminium foil on the bottom rack to catch any oil drips). Cast iron should be "baked" for an hour. Then, wait for it to cool down. A fresh cast iron pan can be cured in the same way. Cast iron can be used frequently once it has been cured in the oven.

Ques: Can I soak my cast-iron pan in water before trying to remove the burned-on food?

Ans: What? No! Cast iron cookware should not be soaked. A better option is to fill the pan with water, heat it on the stovetop, and use a wooden spatula to remove the fragments as the water boils.