Effective And Affordable Tips For Cleaning Cast-Iron Skillets

Cast iron skillets are classic kitchen staples used by generations of home cooks, from your grandmother to your parents, to you! There’s nothing quite like cooking with cast-Iron the pan heats evenly and retains heat well, making it perfect for searing meats and deep-frying. In this article, we will discuss how to clean cast iron pans.

Unfortunately, if your cast-iron skillets aren’t correctly cared for, they can get pretty smelly and filthy, which doesn’t make you want to cook with them or store them with your other kitchen items.

However, a few simple tips on cleaning your cast iron skillets will help you care for it properly, maintain their luster, and continue cooking with them for years to come.

Best Ways Of Cleaning Cast Iron Skillets

One of the most resilient cooking utensils is the cast-iron skillet. However, they aren’t the easiest to clean up your cast iron cookware, primarily when used for frying greasy or highly seasoned foods. Here are some of the best ways to clean a cast iron skillet so you can enjoy its cooking benefits for many years.

Soak In Hot Water 

To clean stains from your cast iron cookware, you can first soak them in hot water. It will help loosen up any food particles stuck on your pan. Once you’ve washed it, use a soft sponge or brush to scrub off any food bits.

Rinse thoroughly with hot water, and then dry completely before storing away. If stubborn bits of food remains, try repeating steps one through three until they’re gone. Traditional cast iron skillet needs regular cleaning.

Use Lemon Juice And Water

Most cast iron pans can be cleaned at home. Lemon juice and water are both highly acidic. To clean your cast iron skillet:

• Pour some lemon juice into it, then fill it with warm water.
• Scrub it using a nylon brush until the entire residue is gone.
• Rinse well before drying it by hand or putting it in an oven set at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

This method works best on pans that aren’t per-seasoned.

Scrub With Coarse Salt

It is among the excellent cleaning tips for cast iron frying pans and skillets. The coarse salt will scour off any gunk or baked-on food in your pan. Sprinkle some salt into your skillet, rub it around with a paper towel, and then clean it thoroughly.

Your skillet will look brand new! It’s important to note that you should only use coarse sea salt or kosher salt for cleaning—not table salt, which has anti-caking agents added to it that can ruin your skillet.

Apply A Paste Of Baking Soda, Vinegar, & Oil

It is also an affordable technique for cleaning cast iron skillets. You will need oil, vinegar, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and water. In a small dish, combine equal portions of each item; then, rub a paper towel into the pre-seasoned pan.

Allow it to rest for fifteen minutes before rinsing with warm water. The acidity of vinegar helps dissolve rust, while baking soda helps remove any remaining residue. If there’s still rust after following these steps, repeat them until all traces are gone.

The Dos And Don’t Of Cast Iron Skillet Cleaning

A well-cleaned cast iron skillet will serve you well, but improperly maintained and unclean skillets can harbor bacteria that can cause illness and even food poisoning in those who consume meals.

So before you put your cast iron skillet away, here are a few Dos and Don’t of cleaning a cast iron skillet so that you keep yours in good condition and don’t have to replace it anytime soon!

The Do’s

DO rinse it clean your:

The skillet should be completely dry. A little bit of water on your skillet will react with the oil, causing it to splatter when you use it next time. Always allow your cast iron skillet to air dry before storing.

• DO season your cast iron skillets.

You may retain your cast-iron skillet’s nonstick qualities over time by coating it. To season, you’ll need to heat your skillet on medium-high heat and then brush it with a thin layer of oil (canola or vegetable oil works well).

After giving it quick oil brushing, heat it on the stove or in an oven. If you want to cook with it immediately, wipe out any excess oil before use.

• DO always follow up on your clean session with oil.

Oiling your cast iron after each use will not only help you keep it clean, but it will also keep your skillets/pans rust-free. After each cook with your skillet or pan, give it an extra rubdown with oil to ensure that you’re inhibiting rust formation between uses.

• DO use metal utensils when cooking on it.

Using utensils made from metal helps your skillet heat more evenly because it conducts heat. Metal also does not scratch or damage your skillet.

The only exception to using metal utensils is if you have an enameled cast iron pan (in which case you should stick with wooden or silicone).

If you use wood, make sure it’s natural wood like oak—not treated wood like pine or cedar.

These woods will leave toxic residue in your skillet, and food can pick up on those flavors while cooking.

The Don’t

• Don’t clean with harsh soaps

The alkaline nature of soap will break down the seasoning of cast iron skillet over time, making it less effective at preventing food from sticking in future use.

• Don’t use sandpaper

Most people try to use fine-grit sandpaper, steel wool, or steel scouring pads to clean cast iron. These tools will scratch and mar your cookware, but they can also be damaging. The heat generated by scrubbing with these abrasive materials is enough to warp or even crack an older skillet.

• Could you not put it in the dishwasher?

It is probably one of the worst things you can do to your skillet because it will rust and damage it beyond repair. So instead, wash it with your hands. If there are any stubborn spots, use a gentle scrubbing pad.

Final thoughts on Cleaning of Cast Iron Pans

Keeping your cast iron skillet in good condition is not as difficult as you think. Make sure that after each use, you wipe it down with a paper towel or clean cloth to remove any excess food particles that may have stuck to it during cooking.

With these tips for cleaning the cast iron skillet, you can keep your pan clean, shiny, and ready to use in no time. So feel free to indulge in some cast iron skillet cooking!

We recommend Culina cast iron skillets cleaners for best-cast iron skillets cleaning.