Cast Iron 101 :: How to Clean Cast Iron
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Learn how to clean your cast iron quickly and easily so that it lasts generations.
I frequently receive emails asking about cast iron – how to care for it, how to select the best size, the sizes of skillets that I use, etc. I love answering each one of these emails and thought that it might be helpful for even more people for me to write a series on the topic!
Properly cared for, cast iron cookware can last for generations and will become on of those prizes heirlooms handed down through your family. Cast iron cookware has long been a treasured tool for cooking for their weight, conductivity of heat, as well as the ability to cook just about anything in it! While there are definitely more expensive pieces of cookware available, there are few pieces that are as versatile as cast iron.
Since I use my cast iron cookware so frequently, I definitely want to make sure I am taking proper care of it – especially the skillets given to me from my Grandmothers as well as my husband’s family.
How to Clean Cast Iron
1. Once your cast iron has cooled to a slightly warm temperature after use, pour about 1/4 cup of Kosher salt onto the cooking surface
2. Use a paper towel and scrub the salt in a circular motion to remove the cooked on residue.
3. If the residue still does not release, pour about 1 tablespoon of oil onto the cookware, grab an old store rewards card or similar hard plastic card and scrap away the problem area.
4. Wipe clean with paper towel to remove all of the salt and residue you’ve removed from the cookware.
5. Rub a light coat of oil over the surface and place on the stove top over low heat for a few minutes to completely dry.
Do you use cast iron cookware? What’s your favorite thing to cook in it?
Gosh doggit. I couldn’t decide which Pinterest board to pin this to but I sooooo needed it. I have two very neglected cast iron pieces in my oven right now… which brings me to the question: Where do you store your cast iron? I just cannot figure that out.
Perfect, thank you!
I am new to cast iron and sadly, I used detergent on mine because I did not know any better. Can you tell me how to get the thick grease out of the skillet after frying bacon or some types of meats ? I was using detergent and scubbing off the grease, but I know see this is not the right way. So how do you get rid of the thick grease ?
Thanks for any help you can give me !
Sheila,
First, as a Southerner, I have to tell you that I pour that bacon grease into a can and put it in the refrigerator to use for cooking. {It’s how my Grandmother taught me!} But, if you’d prefer not to do that, just allow it to cool completely and it will thicken to a whitish grease that you can then remove with a paper towel or wooden spoon into the trash. Once you have removed most of the grease, you can either use the bacon grease to as a touch up for the seasoning by reheating the pan to a very low heat and rubbing a very, very thin coating of the bacon grease over the inside of the skillet. Don’t have the coating too thick or it will just be a sticky mess.
If you need to remove built up residue and grease, then follow the method using the salt and paper towel in the post.
Good luck!
Any tips for grill pans? They are the toughest for me with grilled chicken bits stuck between the ridges.
Hi Bri,
For grill pans, I use the same method but instead of using a paper towel, use a bristled brush to get into all of the areas. Then follow the rest of the steps for drying and seasoning upkeep!
I just got mine out after years of being in storage. I hate cleaning the thing given I never really knew how. We got it out to make your pineapple upside down cake which was fabulous.probably a silly question but why don’t u want to use soap and water, then just oil it after it’s clean?
Detergents break down the seasoning to expose the raw iron, which then easily rusts and allows everything to stick and just get all yucky.
I have been building up an entire set, and LOVE LOVE LOVE to cook in my mine. Never thought about seasoning it by setting if on low for a while after you rub it down with oil. Thanks for the tip!
I am totally in love with cast iron, too. No wonder it’s been around so long!
Would you believe I dont own a cast iron pan like that? I need to get with it! 🙂
I’d love to come to your neck of the woods sometime and go cast iron skillet shopping. Wouldn’t we have fun?!?!
Robyn, you are brilliant! I sometimes put the teensiet drop of detergent in mine even though I known I’m not supposed to. I’ll have to cut that out and try your method in stead.
Do try to never add any detergent into your cast iron unless you are planning on taking it all the way down to the raw iron and then starting over with the seasoning. It just causes spots where the seasoning isn’t very good and then things stick more easily, etc. The cycle is just vicious if cast iron isn’t seasoned properly. 🙂
Do you add ANY WATER AT ALL TO RINSE.
Thanks for this post! I need to get a cast iron pan — I know, I can’t believe I don’t have one yet — but once I do, I’ve bookmarked this post! 🙂
Thanks so much, Julie! Can’t wait to hear which pieces you pick!
This is a great tutorial! I’m going to put this on my Facebook page!
Thank you so much! I appreciate you sharing it.
I have had cast iron for years . I wash it then coat it lightly with cooking oil . It seems to work ok . But the sticking part I dont like . Maybe if I do the salt thing it might help . I love my cast iron . Frying chicken in it makes the chicken so much better . But thank you for the in put on cast iron . Im always ready to learn new things , never to old for that !