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To clean, just use mild dish soap (that’s right, it’s okay to use a little soap!) and a scouring pad or a cast iron pan cleaning brush. Wash it, scrub it, rinse it, then wipe it out well and season it with a few drops of oil and store with a paper towel covering the cooking surface.
Is it OK to clean cast iron with steel wool?
Use a fine grade steel wool pad and scrub the pan surface, inside and out, to remove rust and debris. Use hot water and mild soap if needed. Once you have cleaned all the residue off the cast iron, wash and dry your skillet as noted. Once you have restored your cast iron skillet, you must immediately re-season the pan.
What should you not clean cast iron with?
Avoid using the dishwasher, soap, or steel wool, as these may strip the pan’s seasoning. Scrub off stuck-on bits: To remove stuck-on food, scrub the pan with a paste of coarse kosher salt and water. Then rinse or wipe with a paper towel. Stubborn food residue may also be loosened by boiling water in the pan.
How do you clean crud off a cast iron skillet?
One of the simplest ways to remove the residue is by using salt. Yes, that’s right, salt. Take an oily paper towel (it’s best to use the same type of oil you season the pan with) and use it to rub salt over the bottom of the pan.
Can you use stainless steel on cast iron?
Myth: You can’t use metal utensils on cast iron cookware. Fact: Cast iron is the most durable metal you’ll ever cook with. That means any utensil is welcome — silicone, wooden, and even metal. Fact: These foods, in small quantities, are just fine to cook in brand new cookware.
Can I use Scotch Brite on cast iron?
Scotch-Brite® Advanced Scrub Dots Scrubbers deliver the trusted scrubbing power of Scotch-Brite® Brand and resist odors, dries fast, and rinses clean without trapping food. They are non-scratch and safe on non-stick cookware like cast iron skillets.
Can you use dish soap on cast iron?
You don’t have to worry about seasoning other skillets, and most dishes won’t suffer from a rinse in the sink or even in the dishwasher if you’re in a pinch. But cast iron pans and skillets aren’t that forgiving. You can in fact wash your cast iron pans, and you can even use soap.
What is the best oil to season cast iron?
All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.
Can you wash cast iron with water?
Cast Iron Cleaning FAQs Soaking cast iron in water is a recipe for rust. 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. Be sure to thoroughly dry your pan.
How do you clean an old crusty cast iron skillet?
Generously sprinkle kosher salt or coarse sea salt into the pan and scrub it with a clean, damp washcloth. For extra stubborn spots, use a plastic pan scraper to work the burned food off the pan.
How do you remove burnt on grease from a cast iron skillet?
Removing Baked on Grease From Cast Iron Sprinkle table salt over the grease in the cast iron cookware. Scrub the inside of the cookware with a nonabrasive sponge. Wipe the salt out of the cast iron pan with paper towels. Wash the cookware with hot water and a sponge. Dry the cast iron skillet with a lint-free towel.
Can you ruin a cast iron pan?
Famously durable, these pans are often passed down through generations. With proper reseasoning care, years of frequent use can actually improve the pan’s “seasoning”—its natural nonstick coating. But sadly, cast iron skillets can indeed break.
What should you not cook in a cast iron skillet?
4 Things You Should Never Cook in Cast Iron: Smelly foods. Garlic, peppers, some fish, stinky cheeses and more tend to leave aromatic memories with your pan that will turn up in the next couple of things you cook in it. Eggs and other sticky things (for a while) Delicate fish. Acidic things—maybe.
How do you maintain a cast iron skillet?
Cast Iron Upkeep Rinse with warm water and use a brush or scraper to remove stuck-on bits. For really stuck-on food, scrub with salt and oil, rinse and wipe clean. Dry the pan and coat with a thin layer of oil. Store until ready to use.
Can you put lemon juice in cast iron?
So, while a squirt of lemon juice at the end of cooking is fine, if you’re planning to simmer dishes that contain tomatoes or citrus juices for hours, opt for stainless steel instead. (This rule doesn’t apply to enameled cast iron, which isn’t affected by acidity.)Oct 31, 2017.
Can I use a sponge on cast iron?
The rough surface of contemporary cast iron requires an abrasive sponge to scrape off any stuck on material. According to Lodge, one of the leading purveyors of cast iron cookware, a nylon scrubbing sponge works best. This keeps your all-purpose dish sponge from getting tarnished with food byproducts, like grease.
Can I use a scrubber on cast iron?
Cast-iron pans are resilient! They can stand up to all kinds of scrubbers, sponges and cleaning tools. Just stay clear of harsh cleaners—a mild dish soap is all you need. For other methods of cleaning cast iron, we recommend using coarse sea salt or chainmail, which is a chain link piece of stainless steel.
