Each time after using cast iron skillet, I wash it under hot water (no soap) and scrub it good with a nylon brush to remove any stuck on food. I dry it immediately then pour a little vegetable oil on it and rub it in with a paper towel. Quick and easy.
By doing this, each time, the porous iron absorbs the oil and eventually the pan becomes non-stick.
There’s no sorrier sight than a neglected cast iron pan. Dry, lackluster and rusty. Poor thing. Here’s how to save it!
Put the pan in a sink with hot soapy water. Scrub away the grime and rust with steel wool. Use some elbow grease, and there’s no sense in getting just some of the rust off, so repeat this as many times as is necessary until all the rust is gone. Don’t worry about scratching the pan… scrub away!
When that step has been accomplished, now it’s time to re-season the pan. Rub the pan with a generous amount of vegetable oil. Put it in a 350 F oven for 2 hours. Remove from oven and let cool. Pour out any remaining oil. Repeat this several times before using the pan for cooking.
By doing this, each time, the porous iron absorbs the oil and eventually the pan becomes non-stick.
There’s no sorrier sight than a neglected cast iron pan. Dry, lackluster and rusty. Poor thing. Here’s how to save it!
Put the pan in a sink with hot soapy water. Scrub away the grime and rust with steel wool. Use some elbow grease, and there’s no sense in getting just some of the rust off, so repeat this as many times as is necessary until all the rust is gone. Don’t worry about scratching the pan… scrub away!
When that step has been accomplished, now it’s time to re-season the pan. Rub the pan with a generous amount of vegetable oil. Put it in a 350 F oven for 2 hours. Remove from oven and let cool. Pour out any remaining oil. Repeat this several times before using the pan for cooking.
After the pan has been properly re-seasoned, and after using it for cooking, scrub under hot water, dry, and apply a thin coat of vegetable oil. 
Here's my cast iron skillet. See (especially around the edges of the pan) how smooth the cast iron looks? This was a new pan, not one that had been neglected, and is about five years old.
Using these tips in taking care of your cast iron will ensure that your childrens' children will be blogging about using great-grandma's skillet!
Good reminders and tips. I'm trying hard to take good care of mine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. I just got my first cast iron pan about a year ago, and I'm trying hard to keep it in good condition.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, you keep really good care of that pan. I just don't use the cast iron enough, mine had... issues. The less said about it the better. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I never knew how to properly wash those...
ReplyDeleteI love my cast irons, I have 4 of them, one is a grill which is the best especially in the winter for indoor grilling. They are easy to keep and very forgiving. I do use soap on them from time to time, just beacause I am a germ freak!
ReplyDeleteI have a cast iron grill, but not a pan! I know I need to get one! Where is the best place to find a cast iron pan?
ReplyDeleteI did not know this! I was told years ago that rust was suppose to be on a cast iron pan, and I saw some really nasty ones, so I have never owned one. This is very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI only have one piece of cast iron! I need more! Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteJust this month, I started cooking with cast iron and saved a griddle from the garage. Makes the best lamb chops, or crunchy food. Thank for the reminder to use Vegetable oil. Olive oil can go rancid.
ReplyDelete