How to Wash an Iron Kadai

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A "kadai" (also commonly referred to as a "karahi") is a type of round, steep-sided pan used to cook traditional Indian, Pakistani, Afghani, Bangladeshi, and Nepalese dishes. A kadai can quickly accumulate a heavy coat of grease and burnt, sticky residue, thanks to the kinds of rich, saucy foods that are ordinarily prepared in it. Fortunately, washing one is no different from washing any other piece of cast iron cookware, and will only add a few minutes to your after-dinner cleanup.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Wiping down a Just-Used Kadai

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    First thing’s first—as soon as the item you’re cooking is done, portion it out into one or more containers and serve it up while it’s nice and hot. Use a spoon, ladle, or similar utensil to scrape out any traces of food, sauce, or oil left behind. [1]
    • For best results, you want to start with as few remnants left in the pan as possible.
    • The longer you wait to remove the food from your kadai, the more likely it will be to stick or congeal, ultimately making the pan harder to clean.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    This may take anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour, depending on the size of the pan and the temperature it was heated to previously. Feel free to sit down and enjoy your meal in the meantime. You can always finish cleaning up afterwards. [2]
    • If you’re not sure whether or not your kadai is cool enough to clean, trickle one or two drops of water onto it. If it sizzles, it’s still too hot!
    • An iron kadai can easily reach temperatures of several hundred degrees. Needless to say, it’s not a good idea to grab hold of one one immediately after removing it from its heat source.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    Fold a heavy-duty paper towel in half and wet it under the faucet. Then, wring out the excess water and run it over every part of the kadai’s inner surface. Be sure to hit the sloping sides as well as the bottom. [3]
    • Be careful not to oversaturate the paper towel. Too much water can cause iron cookware to deteriorate prematurely.
    • In many cases, a simple wipedown may be all you need to get your kadai clean and ready for your next delicious meal.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    If a quick once-over with a paper towel isn’t enough to get your pan spic and span, reach for a soft kitchen sponge, soft-bristled nylon brush, or folded towel. With some gentle pressure and a little patience, you’ll be able to take care of all but the most stubborn residue. [4]
    • Stay away from harsh scrubbers like steel wool or the rough side of your kitchen sponge. These sorts of tools could easily scratch the surface of your kadai.

    Warning: It's generally okay to use a small amount of mild liquid soap to increase your cleaning power, but too much may take the seasoning right off your kadai, since most soaps are designed to cut right through grease and oil.

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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Dealing with Tough Residue

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    That’s roughly equivalent to 3 or 4 heaping spoonfuls, if you don’t feel like measuring it out. The salt will serve as a mild abrasive to clean and polish the iron without harming it. [5]
    • Regular table salt can also do the trick, but you may need to use more of it since the grains are so fine.
    • You can also use baking soda if you don’t happen to have any salt on hand. Baking soda is especially useful for busting up burnt-on residue. [6]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    Add your water a little at a time to make sure you get just the right consistency. The resulting paste should be wet, but not overly watery, similar in texture to a handful of sand scooped up from out of the surf at the beach. [7]
    • Again, it’s important not to let large quantities of water sit in your kadai for extended periods of time. Doing so is practically guaranteed to bring about rapid deterioration.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    Move your scrubber over the bottom and sides of the kadai in tight circular motions, applying firm pressure. Vigorous scrubbing will work the salt particles into the surface of the pan, scouring away any clinging pieces of food that refuse to budge. [8]
    • Don’t be afraid to really dig in here. Salt is gritty enough to grind away solidified food, but not hard enough to damage your kadai.

    Tip: Believe it or not, a sliced potato can make an excellent scrubber, since it’s easy to grip and offers just enough moisture to create a perfect paste. Just coat the cut side in salt and rub it directly onto the pan instead of adding water separately. [9]

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    When your kadai is completely free of leftover food and unwanted residue, turn on the tap, fill the pan with water, swish it around, and dump it. Repeat as many times as it takes to do away with the last of the salt paste, along with any food residue it helped to loosen. [10]
    • You’ll know you’ve done a satisfactory job of rinsing when the water begins to run clear.
    • Hot water will do a better job of dissolving and flushing out the salt and other substances than cold or lukewarm water.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Drying and Re-seasoning Your Kadai

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    Fold the towel into a thick pad and use it to wipe down both the inside and outside of the pan. Concentrate on soaking up as much standing water as you can. This goes for the bottom surface, rim, and handles, too. [11]
    • If necessary, fold your towel again after your first few passes so you’re not going over the metal with the wet part.
    • Don’t be tempted to let your iron kadai air dry. Even residual moisture can be enough to invite rust and corrosion. [12]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    After drying your kadai thoroughly, set it back on its heat source and allow it to heat up again for 5-10 minutes. As the temperature of the iron rises, any water that happens to be hiding inside the tiny pores will be released in the form of vapor. [13]
    • It’s always wise to heat iron cookware for a few minutes after getting it wet, even if you’ve already dried it by hand.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Wash an Iron Kadai
    Apply the oil to the inside of the pan, then use a folded paper towel to spread it and “massage” it into the metal. Afterwards, use a separate, clean paper towel to wipe off the excess oil. [14]
    • If you like, you can heat your kadai for another 20-30 minutes after oiling it to help the oil absorb better. [15]
    • Get in the habit of re-oiling your kadai every time you clean it. Doing so will help maintain the metal and prevent food from sticking in the future.

    Tip: You’re welcome to use any type of cooking oil you like, but grapeseed, flaxseed, and oil are especially well-suited for seasoning cast iron due to their high smoke points. [16]

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    The best place to leave your kadai is in a covered cabinet or pantry, or on a hanging rack in an area that receives plenty of airflow. There, it will be safe and sound until the next time you get the urge to whip up a steaming plate of paneer, balti, or chole . [17]
    • Keep the pan away from sinks and other water sources, as well as areas where abundant moisture may pose a problem, like near the dishwasher or above your stovetop.
    • If you're putting away more than one kadai, you can stack them to save space. Just be sure to separate each pan with a layer of folded paper towels to absorb lingering moisture and protect against scratches. [18]
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      Tips

      • A well-cared-for iron kadai will last ages— it could even become a cherished heirloom that you hand down to future generations.
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      Warnings

      • Never allow your kadai to soak or sit in the sink while you're washing the rest of your dishes. All that water can quickly damage it past the point of restoration.
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      • Avoid touching any part of your kadai other than the handles while it's in use, or shortly afterwards. Cast iron cookware can get extremely hot and hold onto that heat for quite a while.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Wiping down a Just-Used Kadai

      • Spoon, ladle, or other cooking utensil
      • Paper towels
      • Water
      • Soft kitchen sponge, soft-bristled nylon brush, or folded towel
      • Mild liquid dish soap (optional)

      Dealing with Tough Residue

      • Coarse-ground salt
      • Water
      • Soft kitchen sponge or folded towel
      • Baking soda (optional)

      Drying and Re-seasoning Your Kadai

      • Absorbent towel
      • Cooking oil (grape seed, flaxseed, vegetable, etc.)
      • Paper towels

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-vhKsObslM&feature=youtu.be&t=10
      2. ↑ https://cookingissues.com/2010/02/16/heavy-metal-the-science-of-cast-iron-cooking/
      3. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-clean-cast-iron-pan-skillet-cookware
      4. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-wash-season-and-maintain-cast-iron-cookware-article
      5. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-wash-season-and-maintain-cast-iron-cookware-article
      6. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-clean-cast-iron-pan-skillet-cookware
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-vhKsObslM&feature=youtu.be&t=10
      8. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/inside-our-kitchen/article/how-to-wash-your-cast-iron-skillet
      9. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-cast-iron-skillet-151535
      1. ↑ https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-clean-cast-iron-pan-skillet-cookware
      2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-a-cast-iron-skillet-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-107747
      3. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/cooking-techniques/cast-iron-skillet-dos-donts
      4. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/inside-our-kitchen/article/how-to-wash-your-cast-iron-skillet
      5. ↑ https://www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/381-how-to-clean-a-cast-iron-pan
      6. ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-cast-iron-skillet-151535
      7. ↑ https://gearpatrol.com/2019/04/06/best-oil-to-season-cast-iron-skillet/
      8. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-wash-season-and-maintain-cast-iron-cookware-article
      9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/store-your-cast-iron-with-this-one-thing-to-make-it-last-longer-235234

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