When properly taken care of, a cast iron pan will be around longer than any of us. After many years of cooking, cast iron becomes more and more seasoned and a shiny Teflon-like coating forms on its surface. It’s for that reason, cast iron is a coveted piece of cookware. Inheriting one or scoring a pan at a garage sale, is similar to winning the lottery. The key, though, is to properly take care of it.
To maintain cast iron cookware, it’s important to clean it and season it correctly. But, there is a lot of debate on how to properly do this.
How to clean the pan really depends on whether or not the food sticks and what type of food has been prepared in the pan. We’ll share a few scenarios so you can properly care for your cast iron.
It’s also important to use a good oil that can handle high heat. Flax oil works beautifully, but canola oil is also an option if flax oil is unavailable. Cleaning and a quick seasoning of the pan will ensure the cast iron is passed down for generations to come.
Cleaning a Cast Iron Skillet
Option 1. A Quick Wipe Down of the Pan
If the food doesn’t stick to the pan and isn’t acidic, then wiping the pan and a little bit of oil is really all that’s necessary.
Supplies
- Lint-free hand towel
- 2 Tbsp flax oil (optional)
1. While still warm, wipe out the pan very well with a lint-free hand towel.
2. Add 2 Tbsp of flax oil to the pan. Note: If the pan was used for frying, there is no need to add oil.
3. Wipe the pan inside and out. Make sure to wipe thoroughly and not leave additional oil in the pan (leftover oil will become sticky). When the pan is cool, put it away.
Option 2. Mild Soap Wash
An old wives’ tale is that using dish detergent when cleaning cast iron is a no-no. At one point that was true. Back in the day, our grandmothers used soaps filled with lye to wash dishes. Lye would strip away the non-stick coating that formed on the pans. Today, though, our dish soaps are mild and don’t contain lye, it’s fine to wash with a bit of dish soap and water and follow up with a quick seasoning of the pan. If the food has stuck to the pan or is acidic (like tomato sauce), you should always clean with a mild soap.
Supplies
- Mild dish soap
- Plastic scouring pad
- 2 Tbsp flax oil
- Paper towels
1. Add a little bit of water and dish soap to the pan. Using a sponge or a plastic scouring pad, clean off any stuck-on food.
2. Rinse off the food particles.
3. After the pan is clean, wipe with a paper towel to remove any water droplets.
4. Place the pan on the stove. Heat on medium heat until all the moisture is dried up to prevent rust.
5. While the pan is still hot, pour 2 Tbsp of flax oil into the pan.
6. Wipe the pan inside and out (making sure not to leave any oil). When cooled, put the pan away.
Option 3. Potato Salt Scrub
If the pan has stuck on food and you really don’t want to use a mild soap, then treat the pan with a potato salt scrub. The salt and oil are mixed together with a cut potato and it rubs the food particles loose from the pan. A great way to gently clean the pan.
Supplies
- 1/2 c Kosher salt
- 4 Tbsp flax oil, separated
- 1 russet potato cut in half
- Paper towels
1. Pour 2 Tbsp oil and 1/2 cup Kosher salt into the pan. Scrub the pan with the cut potato until all of the stuck-on food loosens.
2. Rinse off the salt and food particles. Repeat step 1 if there are any food particles still stuck to the pan.
3. Wipe out the pan with a paper towel.
4. Place the pan on the stove and heat on medium heat until all the moisture is gone (any leftover moisture will cause rust).
5. Pour 2 Tbsp of oil into the pan.
6. Wipe it inside and out making sure to remove all the oil. When the pan is cool put the pan away.
Seasoning A Cast Iron Skillet
Oven Seasoning
Properly seasoned cast iron has a shiny non-stick coating. If the pan loses its shine, looks dull, or food becomes very stuck to the pan, an oven seasoning is necessary. It’s easy to do and will maintain a beautiful shiny surface on your cast iron pan.
Supplies
- 5 Tbsp flax oil, separated
- Paper towels
1. Preheat the oven to 400. Wipe the clean cast iron pan inside and out with 3 Tbsp of flax oil.
2. Place a cooking sheet on the lower rack to catch drips. Place the cast iron pan on the upper rack upside down. Bake the pan for 30 minutes to an hour (depending on the dullness of the pan).
3. Remove the pan from the oven, wipe it down, again inside and out, with 2 Tbsp of flax oil. When the pan is cool put the pan away.
