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Seasoning a cast iron skillet is necessary to create a non-stick surface and prevent rust. To preserve this seasoning, you need to take special care when cleaning. [1]
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Expert Source
James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
With proper care, your cast iron skillet will improve with age and use, becoming a beautiful centerpiece of your cooking and, indeed, your kitchen.
Steps
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Rinse the skillet out with hot water after cooking. [2] X Expert Source James Sears
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 28 August 2019. If your skillet is still hot, this is the best time to clean it. If your skillet has a distinct "lip" so that it holds water, you can pour water directly onto the hot pan--something you should not do with other kinds of cookware. It will hiss and steam dramatically, but this is fine. Take care not to get too close to the hot steam lest you risk a burn. Rinse it out once to remove many of the large pieces of food. Then fill it again so that the water fills the cooked on area.The exact amount is not important. [3] X Research source -
Bring the water to boil. [4] X Expert Source Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 22 September 2019. If your skillet still needs cleaning, or is cold, you can heat the pan up again. Carefully place the cast iron skillet back on the burner and heat the water up until it reaches a boiling point. Boil the water for several minutes to help dissolve food scraps.Advertisement -
With a wide spatula, lightly scrape the bottom and sides of the pan to dislodge any remaining food scraps. Do this while the water is still boiling, but only briefly and gently. [5] X Expert Source Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 22 September 2019. Too much contact with metal objects risks stripping the pan's seasoning. [6] X Research source -
Dump the dirty water in the sink. Return the cast iron skillet to the burner and turn the burner off.
- Use caution when transporting the skillet back and forth between the range and the sink. Because cast iron is an excellent conductor of heat, the handle, as well as all other portions of the skillet, will be extremely hot. Use a cloth or oven mitts to transport the skillet.
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Wet a couple paper towels and quickly wipe the surface of the skillet. If done correctly, the bottom of your paper towel should contain a dark layer of residue. [7] X Research source
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Apply a thin coating of fat, such as vegetable oil or shortening, to the surface of the skillet. [8] X Expert Source Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 22 September 2019. Vegetable sprays work especially well for this purpose. Apply or spray a dab of fat into the bottom of the pan; with a paper towel, wipe the fat into the bottom and the sides of the pan. This process should turn the pan's surface into a smooth, glossy finish. [9] X Research source -
Store in a cool, dry place. Cover with a paper towel instead of a lid to prevent moisture from building up inside the pan. [10] X Research source
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Cut a raw potato in half or lengthwise, depending on the size of your skillet. Larger skillets may require you to cut the potato lengthwise for more surface area.
- This method of cleaning your cast iron pots and pans works great for tackling rust.
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Apply a thin layer of baking soda to the bottom of your potato. The baking soda is both a slight abrasive and a light but effective cleaner. Baking soda is renowned as a natural cleaning ingredient.
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Scrub the skillet with the potato and baking soda, taking extra care to clean the problem areas. Scrub the bottom of the pan, as well, as the sides. If the potato gets too slick, simply cut a slice off of it and apply another coating of baking soda. [11] X Research source
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Season your pan after cleaning . You'll probably need to re-season your pan after cleaning it with a potato and baking soda.
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Avoid using soaps and detergents. Soaps and detergents are great at cleaning most cookery, but they should be avoided when it comes to cast iron pots and pans. The sulfides in most detergents bind to the oils in the skillet and strip them, leaving your skillet as naked and vulnerable as it was on the first day of its life. [12] X Expert Source James Sears
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 28 August 2019. It still can be re-seasoned, but it ends up being more work than necessary. [13] X Research source -
Never put the skillet in the dishwasher. [14] X Research source Different process, but same reasons. This process can eat through the non-stick coating you've created and promote rust. [15] X Expert Source James Sears
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 28 August 2019. -
Try to avoid using steel wool to clean your cast iron cookery unless in dire need of cleaning. While steel wool is effective at removing food and other buildup, it cuts right through the seasoning and forces you to start at square one again. [16] X Expert Source James Sears
House Cleaning Professional Expert Interview. 28 August 2019. Far better to stick to the potato method for cleaning (no pun intended). [17] X Research source
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Join the Discussion...
I got a cast-iron pan for my birthday and I've been getting really into cooking with it, but I'm scared of ruining it! I've heard water can ruin... Read More
Use hot water and a non-abrasive brush or a sponge and just gently scrub away food residue. Honestly I sometimes go weeks without washing my pan... Read More
You really don't want to wash cast iron with soap. It removes the seasoning and then you have reseason it by applying a thin layer of oil and hea... Read More
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan you clean rust off of a cast iron skillet?James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.To clean rust off of a cast iron skillet, use hot water and baking soda. Let the cast iron skillet sit and soak for five minutes in the solution. After, clean off the solution by scrubbing the cast iron with a sponge.
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QuestionCan I use canola oil instead of vegetable oil?Community AnswerYes. Canola oil is a vegetable oil, along with peanut, corn, coconut, safflower, etc.
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QuestionHow do I remove buildup on my cast iron skillet?Community AnswerIf the buildup is from years of use, I would suggest a lye bath to remove it. Directions for the bath can be found online. Using a lye bath will require that you re-season your skillet.
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Tips
- After towel-drying, you can place the damp skillet over low heat on the range or in the oven set at a low temperature to make sure the skillet is thoroughly dry.Thanks
- Coating with oil after oven-drying will allow the lubricant to set deeper into the skillet and decrease the risk of rusting during storage.Thanks
- If you must wash with soap, make sure to rinse thoroughly and re-season your skillet afterward.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- A very rusty or otherwise corroded cast iron pan may need to be scoured using power tools. This can save nearly any cast iron pan that doesn't have holes in the cooking surface. After power-scouring, immediately season. Now it's ready to use for years and years.
- Always coat your skillet with a very thin coat of shortening or vegetable oil before putting it away. Don't use an animal product like lard. It will go rancid.
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Warnings
- Avoid putting hot cast iron into cold water. This can cause cast iron to warp or crack.Thanks
- Cast iron skillets conduct heat up the handle, so be careful not to burn yourself by touching it with unprotected skin.Thanks
- Thoroughly dry any other kitchen equipment that you may store inside your cast iron skillet. A slightly damp pan will rust a cast iron skillet when stacked on top.Thanks
- A hot iron skillet looks identical to a cold iron skillet. Always use caution when a pan in on the stove for this reason.Thanks
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References
- ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
- ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
- ↑ https://www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/381-how-to-clean-a-cast-iron-pan
- ↑ Kadi Dulude. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.
- ↑ Kadi Dulude. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-a-cast-iron-skillet-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-107747
- ↑ https://fieldcompany.com/pages/how-to-clean-maintain-cast-iron-pan-skillet
- ↑ Kadi Dulude. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.
- ↑ https://fieldcompany.com/pages/how-to-clean-maintain-cast-iron-pan-skillet
- ↑ http://www.lodgemfg.com/use-and-care/cast-iron-lets-cook
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/remove-rust-the-natural-way-with-a-potato-108040
- ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
- ↑ https://www.rachaelrayshow.com/lifestyle/25865_how_to_clean_a_cast_iron_skillet
- ↑ http://www.southernplate.com/how-to-season-a-cast-iron-skillet/
- ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
- ↑ James Sears. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-a-cast-iron-skillet-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-107747
About This Article
Article Summary
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To clean a cast iron skillet the traditional way, rinse the skillet out with hot water, then pour more water into the skillet and bring it to a boil. After the water has boiled for several minutes, lightly scrape the bottom and the sides of the skillet with a wide spatula to dislodge any remaining food scraps. Turn off the burner on your stove and carefully pour the dirty water into the sink, holding the skillet with oven mitts or a cloth. Wipe the surface of the skillet quickly with paper towels and apply a thin coating of vegetable oil to the skillet.
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Reader Success Stories
- "Details and cautions on washing with water. Potato method new to me, also things not to do and storing precautions--all helpful." ..." more
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"Details and cautions on washing with water. Potato method new to me, also things not to do and storing precautions--all helpful."
..."
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"The article helped me to know how to clean and season a skillet I got from my mom. "
"Worked great to keep it seasoned."
