How to Clean Cast Iron Skillet

With most of your cookware, cleaning is a breeze. You simply rinse it off in the sink and place it in the dishwasher. However, a cast iron skillet should be cleaned with care to avoid ruining it. While special effort is necessary, the steps are simple. What should you know about cleaning a cast iron skillet?

Understanding Cast Iron Skillets

Many people prefer to cook with cast iron skillets, and there are good reasons for this. Cast iron skillets have a non-stick surface when they are properly cared for and seasoned. They retain and disburse heat well, so they are a preferred option for baking, frying and searing foods.

In addition, cast iron is a heavy-duty material. A good cast iron skillet that is maintained well can last for decades.

What Is the Best Cleaning Solution for Cast Iron?

While cast iron has many benefits, it has a significant downside. When cast iron is exposed to water, it will rust. In addition, the special polymerized oil coating that gives cast iron its non-stick surface can be damaged.

However, you also need to remove the food residue so that you can safely cook your next dish in the skillet. The best cleaning solution for a cast iron skillet is actually dish soap and water. However, you need to follow a few special steps to clean cast iron properly.

What Is the Proper Way to Clean a Cast Iron Skillets

There are four key steps to clean a cast iron skillet. These are washing, drying, storing and seasoning. Let’s look more closely at the proper way to tackle each of these steps.

Wash

Add a few drops of mild dish soap and some warm water in the skillet. Use a cast iron cleaning brush or a scouring pad to remove the food residue. After the residue is gone, rinse the skillet with fresh water. Then, immediately move to the next step to prevent rusting.

Some people say that even a small amount of dish soap will strip the skillet. If you decide to forego soap, pour salt into the skillet. This makes it easier to scrub away the food remnants. If food remains, boil water in your skillet, and use a spatula to scrape it off.

Dry & Store

While you can wipe down many of your other wet dishes with a clean cloth, this won’t work with a cast iron skillet. Even a small amount of moisture remaining on the skillet can lead to rust. To properly dry a cast iron skillet, return it to the stove. Turn the heat on the hottest setting. Wait for all moisture to evaporate.

The best place to store a cast iron skillet is hanging on a wall. If you need to store it in a cabinet with your other pots and pans, place a paper towel between it and the other pans. This will protect the seasoning and prevent damage to the skillet.

Season

Now, your cast iron skillet is clean, but you aren’t done yet. At the most fundamental level, seasoning describes the process of oil bonding to the skillet. Seasoning gives your skillet a non-stick surface, and it’s easier to do than you might think.

With your cast iron skillet still sitting on the hot burner, dab a decent amount of flaxseed oil or canola oil on a paper towel. Wipe the interior skillet surface with the oil. Then, use a clean, dry paper towel to remove the excess oil. If you skip this step, the oil will turn into sticky gunk. Remove the skillet from the stove, and give it time to completely cool.

How to Restore a Rusty Cast Iron Pan

Removing rust from a cast iron pan sounds like a big job, but it’s actually simple. Add some water and salt into the pan. Use a scouring pad to scrub the rust off. After removing the rust, you should follow the steps to clean, dry, season and store it.

Knowing how to properly clean the many items and surfaces in your home is crucial to their longevity, quality and performance. Cast iron is only one of many surfaces that require special care. Rather than stress about using the proper cleaning techniques and supplies, put the Cleanzen team to work for you. Learn more about our cleaning services in Boston MA, and schedule your first service today.