If you want to maintain the greatest possible quality in your cast iron skillet, it’s crucial to learn how to clean it properly. Because the material is more prone to damage than other pans, it needs a bit more love and care than other cookware, but if you know how to take care of it, you’ll find yourself reaching for your best-cast iron skillet on a weekly or even daily basis.
Steps to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet
Use Salt
The best and most effective method which has always worked for me is salt. Fill the bottom of your dry cast-iron skillet with ½ cup of salt.
Scrub the cast iron cookware with a scrub brush or even a cleaning cloth; the roughness and grit of the salt will help to break up the black residue. Continue until more of the black residue is absorbed by the salt and it begins to take on color. After giving the skillet a good rinse and removing any loose bits, reseason the pan.
Cast Iron Scraper
A tiny piece of polycarbonate known as a cast iron scraper, also called a pan scraper, makes it simpler to get rid of any food particles that may have adhered to the surface of your cast iron skillet as well as black residue. You can use these inexpensive but useful kitchen equipment for more than just your cast iron cookware.
Use the scraper in your palm to push up any black residue or food that is stuck in the pan after using your cast iron skillet. Wipe out any food and extra debris right away.
Stiff Brush
Cast iron skillets can have black residue removed with a sharp brush and a strong grip. As I indicated before, you could use the brush and a solution of water and soap, but I really like to use a dry skillet for this operation. The black residue can be easily removed from a dry skillet with a sharp brush without compromising the seasoning.
Scrub and Soap
Yes, you can put soap in your cast iron skillet, however I don’t like to use that method as it tends to remove the seasoning from my cast iron. So use as little soap as possible and instead use a scrub brush designed especially for cast iron.
Wooden Spoon and Hot Water
This works even if you don’t have paper towels or salt on hand. You should be aware that steam will be produced when using hot water and a hot iron pan before beginning this excellent cleaning technique. Because of this, when mixing the two, you must exercise extreme caution and alertness. Furthermore, never attempt to economize by cleaning a hot cast iron pan with cold water.
The pan will get cracked and damaged by the temperature differential. Before you can take advantage of your cast iron’s lifetime advantages, you don’t want to damage it! To begin, make sure the pan is hot enough on its own and run some hot water over it gently. Use a wooden spoon to scrub it gently, or if you don’t have one, a rubber spatula. The food should easily rub off of the pan, as should any extra dirt. Rinse the pan after you’ve removed them off. Don’t worry if you let your iron cool down after using it to cook.
Quickly Dry Your Cast Iron Skillet
Using just regular water, use the preceding instructions to clean your cast iron thoroughly. Nevertheless, if you discover that a few little stains are still there, feel free to use some warm water and dish soap, if necessary, and give it a light scrub with a gentle, non-abrasive sponge. Generally speaking, though, this shouldn’t be required.
It’s critical that you immediately dry your cast iron pan after cleaning it. Use an old dishcloth, clean rag, or paper towel. It’s likely to stain, so don’t use a brand-new, spotless kitchen towel. Avoid putting it on the drying rack since moisture will make it rust.
