We all love foods cooked in a cast iron pan. But cleaning that iron pan feels like a tricky task, right? The moment you know how to clean a cast iron pan things become way too easier.
Besides the idea of cleaning, knowing what tools you need to gather to rub off those stubborn bits is a very crucial thing. So, let’s get started with the tools, and then we’ll move towards the ways to clean cast iron pan at home.
There are some must-have tools for giving bits-filled iron a new look. You may find some of those tools at your home or can get them from the stores. So, take a look and start gathering the tools:
Stiff Brush (Non-scratch): Choose a brush with firm bristles designed specifically for cast iron. Those brushes are good in removing sticky food particles and any residue, keeping your iron pan safe from scratching.
Sponge or Chianmain Scrubber: A non-abrasive sponge is an ideal choice for cleaning. Whereas, a chainmail scrubber removes those stubborn bits or stuck. So, pick one that fits the goal of cleaning a cast iron pan.
Plastic or Silicone Scraper: Use a plastic or silicone scraper for a gentle removal of food residue as those tools don’t cause any damage to your beloved iron pan, unlike the metal ones.
Kosher Salt: Salt softens those sticky residues on the pan so, give a good touch of kosher or coarse salt when cleaning. This, as a result, makes the scrubbing thing much easier.
Hot Water: Unlike cold water, hot one loosens food particles and allows you to rub off the bits more smoothly.
Dry Towels or Paper Towels: Their part comes once you are done rinsing the pan, all they do is wipe off moisture in the pan and ready it for seasoning.
Oil: This liquid is used for seasoning the pan, use olive oil or any vegetable oil that is accessible.
How To Clean A Cast Iron Pan
By now you must be done collecting those tools. Companies prepare cast iron skillet for heavy-duty cooking, and having a bit of mess becomes obvious. So, they need some steps of proper cleaning, and here is that:
Step 1: Cool the Pan
Before even jumping to cleaning a cast iron skillet, let it breathe some cool air after cooking as handling a hotter pan is a bit harmful and might cause the burn.
So, allowing the pan to cool gradually helps preserve its seasoning and ensures safe handling.
Once the pan is all cooled, scrape off food particles or residues, if any. You can use a wooden spatula or plastic scraper or use those tools that are comfortable. That way the stuck gets loose and gets reduced in amount which further eases the cleaning process.
It is best to avoid using hard tools like steel or metals that are more likely to give scratches to your iron. So, use the ones which are made of wood or plastic or rubber.
Put the iron pan in the sink and rinse the pan under warm running water to tenderize the food particles because that way they come off easily. But make sure you use only warm water, not the cold one.
In case the iron skillet is still warm and you expose it to cold water, the immediate contact of the hot pan with cold water leads to thermal shock.
Now what does the thermal shock do? It causes possible damage to the upper layer of the pan and can even ruin it.
Instead of warm water, you can pour on hot water and let it sit for about 10-20 minutes. This way boiled water gets infused into sticky food particles and makes them soft, resulting in easier cleaning.
Let’s head to the scrubbing. Go and grab a cast iron scrubber. You could pick a stiff brush (non-scratch one), a non-abrasive sponge, or a chainmail scrubber, the choice is yours.
With the chosen scrubber begin scrubbing the iron skillet. First slightly give a good scrub and then sprinkle some kosher salt or the one that you have onto the pan.
Here, salt has a gentle scrubbing agent that lifts up the particles quickly.
Step 5: Rinse the Iron Pan Again
Rinse the pan one more time with warm water. This removes any remaining salt or food residues, ensuring proper cleanliness on the pan.
A good rinsing prevents salt residues from any potential reaction to the cast iron or any influence on the seasoning. And there it prepares the pan for the next step.
Step 6: Dry the Iron Pan
Drying the pan is simple and important too. Or the remained moisture creates rust on the pan surface.
How to dry a cast iron pan?
Use dry towels or paper towels to remove any water droplets from the pan. When drying, don’t be just limited to the front surface, wipe off the entire pan.
Want to dry more quickly? Then, put the pan on a stove at high heat, just wait a few minutes and it dries out completely.
After all those steps, the final step is to season the pan. Seasoning doesn’t let the rust appear which mostly happens after rinsing an iron pan.
But how? Seasoning serves as a protective layer or shield that protects the iron pan from moisture which mostly turns into rust.
It ultimately enhances the flavors in dishes and extends the life of that pan for years, allowing you to make tons of recipes on a cast iron pan.
How to season a cast iron pan:
i. Clean the Pan
In case of a new pan or used one, wash it off using warm water. This removes any factory coatings or residue. Then, scrub the pan nicely with a non-scratch brush or sponge. Do this in a way that all food residue goes off.
Next, dry out the pan fully, you can use a paper towel or any dry cloth.
ii. Preheat the Oven
Warm up the oven to 375°F (190°C). This temperature is ideal for baking the oil in the pan without reaching its smoke point too quickly.
iii. Apply Oil
Give a good grease to the pan with oil. You can use a brush to do the greasing or simply pour the oil into the pan and swirl it, that way the oil spreads evenly to the surface.
Don’t leave the handles and sides of the pan, so coat the oil on them as well.
And it is time to bake the pan- a main part of the seasoning. The way to sit the pan is a bit different here, so place the pan upside down targeting the center of the oven rack.
The oil might drip in the oven that’s why adjust the baking sheet or aluminum foil on the lower part of the oven rack. That way the oil droplets fall into that baking sheet.
Rust is not good for the functions and long life of cast iron skillets. Here’s a brief guide on how to remove those unwanted rusts:
1. Asses the Rust
Observe the level of rust in the pan. If only the surface is rusty, scrub it with gentle abrasives like salt. But more deep rust calls for more intensive scrubbing methods like vinegar mix.
2. Scrub with a Stiff Brush or Steel Wool
Normally, a stiff brush or steel wool easily rubs off those uninvited rusts. Don't be too harsh while scrubbing, just apply moderate pressure which is enough to remove the iron spots.
3. Apply Vinegar Mix (Stubborn Rust)
Intense rust doesn’t just leave easily, it wants more aggressive scrubbing which demands the use of vinegar soak.
Submerge the cast iron pan by mixing white vinegar and water in one to one ratio. Let the pan drown for around an hour and the vinegar acid does its magic by dissolving the rust during that time.
4. Scrub Again
Soon after the soaking time ends, again scrub the pan with a scrubber. This takes off the loosened rust.
If you still don’t see good results, try a mixture of salt or baking soda with some water, this might wipe off all the rust.
5. Rinse and Dry
Once done scrubbing, clean the pan using warm water but make sure to give a good rinse. It washes away any remaining rust and vinegar residue.
Next, dry the pan with clean and dry paper towels without leaving a single water droplet.
6. Re-season the Pan
Blend a thin layer of any vegetable oil on the dry iron pan including the surface, sides, and handles. There you are done with the whole rust removal process.
Can You Ruin A Cast Iron Pan
Yes! There is a 100% possibility of ruining a cast iron pan if you do the following things:
When the pan is not dried enough after the wash because the leftover water moisture causes rust, degrading the quality of the pan.
Daily use of soap instead of hot water strips the seasoning from the pan.
Overheating the pan more frequently destroys a protective layer called seasoning.
Cooking highly acidic foods (like tomatoes) further damages the seasoning over time.
Storage of pan in a damp environment or stacking it with other dishes.
And lastly, not re-seasoning the pan when the previous one starts to go off.
Its storage is a bit unique than other cookware and there are a few things to take care of while doing that.
First, choose a dry place and store the pan in there, ensuring no moisture reaches the pan or the rust develops.
For added convenience, you can hang in your pan by using a strong hook, which helps save space and keeps the pan dry too.
But if there comes a need to stack this iron pan with other dishes, give a good wrap of paper towel to the pan. This doesn’t let any scratches and moisture to be there in the pan.
As for the pan with lids, slightly open the lid or you can put paper towels between the lid and the pan. This doesn’t let the moisture develop, leading to no rust.
FAQs
Do you have to clean the cast iron pan after every use?
Cast iron cleaning isn’t always mandatory. A quick wipe with a paper towel is enough for simple meals like cornbread or pancakes as they don’t leave many food bits.
But heavy or more sticky meals surely ask for a light wash with warm water after cooking. You can clean out the remained moisture with paper towels.
Is it okay if I soak or wash the iron after cooking?
No! Soaking an iron pan is not a good idea to go with. If you do, this might invite rust on the pan and also deteriorate the seasoning. Instead, do a good wipe with paper towels.
Can I use soap to clean the iron pan?
Using a small amount of mild soap occasionally is generally considered acceptable, as long as you thoroughly rinse and dry the pan afterward to maintain its seasoning and prevent rust.
What do I do if I accidentally use soap in the cast iron?
There’s nothing much to worry about! Even if the pan comes in contact with soap, quickly rinse it off, dry it with paper towels, season with oil, and bake in the oven. That way you can add a new seasoning layer and there you have a new-like cast iron pan ready.
Can I clean my cast iron pan in the dishwasher?
No! A dishwasher is not a suggested way to clean the cast iron pan. Better use paper towels or follow the whole cleaning and seasoning process.
What happens if I clean my cast iron with a steel or metal scrubber?
If you happen to use steel or metal scrubber, the cast iron loses its seasoning due to scratches, leading to lower quality functions and reduced life of the iron pan.
