10 Jan 5 Easy Tips for Cleaning and Caring for Your Cast Iron Cookware
Maintaining cast iron cookware is surprisingly simple and straightforward. With just a few simple steps, you can ensure that your kitchen staples will last for years to come.
Read on to find out how to clean and care for your cast iron cookware so you can enjoy delicious meals with friends and family.
- Wipe and season your cast iron before use.
Before you start cooking with your cast iron cookware, be sure to season it first. To do this, simply remove any labels from the cookware and wipe down the entire surface with a damp cloth and a bit of mild soap.
Once the surface is clean and dry, rub it down with vegetable oil and use a kitchen towel to evenly distribute the oil over the entire surface area of your cookware. This helps to protect the metal from rusting and allows you to avoid sticking foods while cooking.
- Clean with warm water, soap, and scrub brush.
When it comes to cleaning your cast iron cookware, itโs important to use warm water and a mild soap. Avoiding harsh detergents or abrasive scrub brushes as these can damage the seasoning on your cookware.
For tougher messes, you may need to use a stiff bristle brush, but be careful not to scrub too hard. With some tedious elbow grease and patience, dirt, food bits, and stuck on food should come off easily.
- Avoid harsh abrasives like steel wool when cleaning.
Steel wool should be used as a last resort when it comes to cleaning your cast iron cookware. If you must use it, make sure you scrub gently and evenly, as too much pressure or friction can wear away the seasoning on your cookware.
To preserve the seasoned coating, only use gentle non-abrasive cleaning techniques such as nylon scrub brushes, wooden spoons, and plastic scrapers.
- Re-season your cookware occasionally to keep it well-oiled.
Re-seasoning your cast iron cookware helps keep it well-oiled and ensures that itโs less likely to rust. To re-season your cookware, simply coat the interior with a thin layers of cooking oil and bake it in the oven at 177ยฐC for 30 minutes.
Let the cookware cool completely before using it again. This should be done once or twice a year to keep it looking shiny and new!
- Use higher heat for dry cooking instead of oil or fat cooking.
When dry cooking with your cast iron cookware, it’s best to use the highest heat you can. This will help to keep your cookware from developing rust spots.
Additionally, try to only use oils that have a high smoking point, such as peanut oil or ghee. This will ensure the food doesn’t burn and stick to the pan. Finally, cook over higher heat for short periods of time; don’t leave it on the burner for too long!
*IMPORTANT: The cooking surface mustย be properly seasoned with a layer of oil before its first use and after each use to prevent waffles from sticking. You can check this video how to clean and season you cast iron cookware.
