If your oven goes higher there isn’t any need to do so. If you're not going to season it right away, you can stave off rusting temporarily by rubbing your pan with mineral oil. Cleaning cast iron is not difficult. Scrub the burnt and rusted outer layer using the natural lemon scrub. Home » 3 Easy Ways to Clean the Outside of a Cast-Iron Skillet. This way, you will get a clean, smooth coating at the outer surface of the cast-iron skillet. If you can’t get to that temperature just go as high as you can. Repeat Step 1 and put the skillet back into the oven for a further hour. If you can spot soot buildup or … Peanut oil is also very good. discussion from the Chowhound Cookware, Cast Iron food community. Washing the skillet thoroughly is extremely important. This method is quite easy and effective. Cooking on a cast-iron skillet is easy and fun. How to Tell How Old is a Cast Iron Skillet? Many cast iron manufacturers now season their cast iron before they sell it so when you receive it you can immediately start cooking and don’t need to worry about seasoning it yourself. Notice: Lye is a caustic substance. You can but it’s not the best option. To finish cleaning your cast iron you’ll want to ensure you rinse all the soap off and dry it as thoroughly as possible. The best way to season cast iron cookware is to apply a thin layer of flaxseed oil or similar edible high smoke point oil to the cooking surface. Too much scrubbing can leave scratches on the skillet’s outer surface. Because of its versatility, it can be used for a variety of cooking purposes. Once done, pop the skillet in the oven. If you find that you’re often going for the chainmail then you may want to consider a few seasoning cycles to help build that seasoning layer back up. Seasoning cast iron is a pretty easy process that is designed to build up a layer of polymerized fat on the surface of your cast iron. It’s just a sign that you need to do a quick reseasoning to the skillet. This makes lemons an effective DIY solution for cleaning a cast-iron skillet. It is durable, easy to clean, and has a long life span. However, cleaning and maintaining it is hard. Using a cast-iron skillet is easy. 5. This is especially true when you’re using cast-iron on the stove. Regular cleaning will prevent any greasy residue from hardening at the bottom. However, to make this method even more powerful, you can add some cream of tartar. If you don’t have a knife, you can also use a wire brush. Although steel wool is effective to clean the skillet, here’s something else you can do. Make sure to leave enough of … It’s important to wash your skillet with mild soap and scouring pad. This layer is very non stick. It can be difficult to find the balance between retaining the non-stick, rust protective qualities of cast iron cookware and preventing unsightly or unhealthy situations. Season It First of all, is your cast ironed seasoned properly? So many people over complicate the matter, or worse yet, do detrimental things to their iron … Rub the oil well with a cloth until the shine is gone. Rub the skillet’s entire surface (both outside and inside) with a paper towel that is soaked in oil. KitchenPerfect.com is a member of the Montford Design Lab Network, How to Clean Burnt Grease from the Bottom of a Frying Pan, How to remove water stains from quartz countertops, How to Remove Chemical Stains from a Stainless Steel Sink. I’ve always felt like it was a bit wasteful to use salt for this purpose but it’s perfectly acceptable and won’t harm your cast iron as long as it isn’t left on. Now, give it a good wash and re-season it using the method described above! You’ll want to repeat this process a few times to build up a properly thick seasoning layer. Place it in the oven on it’s highest setting, usually 500 degrees. If the manufacturer of your cast iron doesn’t specifically state that it’s been pre-seasoned then you’ll want to do that before you cook. Instead, use a soft sponge or again, steel wool to apply the solution. Cover the entire outer surface, especially where you can see visible rust spots. Let it get wet and store it for a long period, and it might rust so bad that no amount of elbow grease will bring it back. Once it’s cooled down you can then repeat the seasoning process if necessary. The inside of the pan is fine. If need be, put it over the stove again to dry off any leftover moisture. Wash your cast iron to remove any residue. After some use you may find the seasoning layer is beginning to fade and you will want to repeat this process a time or two to build the layer back up. I was wondering where this comes from and if this affects cooking on the pan. As I mentioned above, cast iron will start to rust almost immediately once it's been stripped down to just the pure metal. If you can spot soot buildup or a black layer over your skillet, here’s what you need to do. Like any good thing, though, there is a point where the buildup becomes a problem rather than a benefit. I do this when I find old cast iron pieces at garage sales. Turn on the heat to 250° Fahrenheit and leave for one hour. Rust usually occurs when your skillet has been exposed to prolonged moisture. Many people also use a cast-iron skillet for baking skillet cookies and brownies. Discard solution in skillet. The lemon solution will be highly acidic. You could also use paper towels. The fats and grease from the cooking oils don’t just stick to the inside of the skillet. Flaxseed oil is considered the best. Here, we walk you through some of the best, easiest methods. Start by heating the bottom of your cast-iron skillet. Baking soda will help slough off the entire residue and reveal a smooth surface. We’ve covered how to clean crude off a cast iron skillet now and it isn’t that difficult. As it warms up, the soot layer will begin to detach from the skillet’s surface. While cleaning the inside is a no-brainer, it’s the exterior of the cast-iron skillet that needs your attention. However, soot build-up isn’t the only issue. With the help of the steel wool, you’ll be able to get the grime off faster. Put the skillet into a cool oven. Hopefully you’ve learned a bit about what you’ll need to keep your cast iron skillet in tip top shape. If you want, you can add some water to dilute the solution and make it easy to apply. Leave even a well-seasoned iron skillet out in the elements, and it will rust. Some soap, water, and a stiff brush can usually remove quite a bit. I recently was given an old family cast iron skillet and noticed that the outside of it had serious buildup. WorldOfPans.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, 2021 © World Of PansPrivacy Policy | Sitemap, 3 Easy Ways to Clean the Outside of a Cast-Iron Skillet, How to Clean the Outside of a Cast-iron Skillet, First Method – Scraping with a Putty Knife, Second Method – Using a Natural Lemon Scrub, Third Method –Using a Baking Soda Solution. Make sure to cover the entire outer surface of the skillet. Now, let's clean it. Make sure not to soak your skillet in warm water as that can cause rust spots. Now that the soot has fallen off, it’s time to rinse your pan. Scraping with a Putty Knife. You can expect to be doing this for at least 5-10 minutes. Fill skillet with vinegar solution and let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Cast iron is great cookware and bakeware but it does require a little bit of attention and care from time to time. Continue reading to learn how to properly season your cast iron and tools you can use to get the burnt on crud off without damaging your seasoned skillet. When doing so, place it over a bigger pan or skillet. Place it in the oven on it’s highest setting, usually 500 degrees. Cleaning a rusty cast iron skillet – Rust is the thing you want to avoid with cast iron, but if you’ve run into a rusty situation there are ways to restore your cast iron. The grainy particles of the baking soda will act as a natural scrub. When you finish using your cast iron, clean it, dry it out completely with a rag, a couple paper towels, or even over low heat. Undiluted, or if handled improperly, it can be quite hazardous. While cast iron is tough, you can still scratch and mar the surface if you're too aggressive with your cleaning. Once your pan is clean, you’ll have to re-season it. However, if you’ve identified stains and spots on the outer surface, it’s time to do something about it. After 2 hours, turn off the oven and allow the skillet to cool to room temperature in the oven. Not as non stick as Teflon but it is pretty darn good at allowing you to cook most types of food without needing to worry about food sticking. However, make sure not to scrub too rigorously as that can cause scratches. Using the putty knife, start scraping off the soot buildup at the bottom of the skillet. Luckily, there are many hacks that can save your cast-iron skillet. The pores in the iron will open and absorb the shortening, and the excess fat will drip down on the baking sheet. Setting up a lye bath involves mixing a solution of lye and water of an appropriate strength in a suitable container capable of submerging one or more pieces of cast iron cookware to be cleaned. So, without further ado, let’s learn how to clean the outside of your cast-iron skillet! This will eventually make it easier to scrape off the layer in one go. You might want to start off gentle and slow. If your skillet is even a little rusty, quit cooking in it ASAP. Once the skillet looks clean and smooth, wash it. This will ensure that all the buildup falls off, revealing a clean outer surface. Give your skillet a good wash. Next, apply a thick layer of the baking soda solution at the bottom and around the skillet. Baking soda also helps in removing any nasty odor from your skillet. and is easy to maintain if you remember a few simple cleaning tips. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Use a towel or a clean cloth to rub the oily coating all around the outer surface. If you choose to implement a lye bath for cast iron cleaning, read this article … Every pan has its own quirks, but cast iron, in particular, has a reputation among home cooks for being high-maintenance. Mix the two nicely. You can then use your cast-iron skillet for stove-top cooking and baking. Join the discussion today. Instead of some of the previously mentioned tools, some people pour some salt onto the cooking surface and scrub with a paper towel. The heat will harden the soot and grease further. Wash cast iron skillet by hand with a nylon bristle scrub brush. The higher the smoke point of the oil the better the non stick layer you’ll get in the end. Always make sure to dry it thoroughly using a towel or a cloth after each wash. Store it in a dry and cool kitchen cabinet. use a copper pad to clean it with soak it in boiled vinegar over night then use pad and the cold vinegar to scrub clean. Your cast-iron skillet can also form rust on the outside. You need to do this before seasoning your skillet. Don’t worry, you won’t be able to remove all of the oil. Deodorizing Cast Iron We discovered a better way to remove stinky fish oils from a cast-iron skillet. The best way how to clean crud off a cast iron skillet starts with helping to prevent crud from caking onto your cast iron in the first place. Scrub the pan with a paper towel or dish rag. Rinse well and dry thoroughly. Be sure to rinse throughly and dry thorough when you’re done. It also involves the right tools for cleaning the inevitable buildup that will happen no matter how well you prepare to ensure food doesn’t stick to your skillet. A little carbon buildup on a cast iron pan is a good thing. You can use almost any coarse, abrasive powder to clean your skillet with this method. How to fix a rusty cast-iron pan Use a gentle detergent scrub, such as Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend, to clean off the rust or any acid-damaged spots. If needed, use a pan scraper for stuck on bits. It has enough of a coating to withstand mild surfactants touching it. Give the cast iron a light rinse to remove any leftover salt or baking soda. It will ensure that all the bits and pieces of grease and food have been rinsed away. Keep to gentle, circular motions until you see the dead layer falling off the skillet’s surface. The result is a soot build-up that can be a challenge to remove. A shiny black (a.k.a. Rinse skillet well, then dry well with paper towels. Leave your cast iron in the oven for about 1 hour and then turn the oven off allowing the cookware to cool in the oven. https://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/SelfCleanOven.htm As with any chemical, safety precautions must be observed. Photo: Michael Sullivan Secondly, never store your skillet in a humid environment. You can return a rusted and old cast iron skillet to almost new! 500 degrees is ideal and usually the highest that a home oven will go up to. Once done, allow the newly cleaned plan to cool for a few hours. Add just enough water to make a paste and rub the salt on the inside surface of the cast-iron pan to scour off carbon. Although rust isn’t harmful, it can look unsightly on your once smooth black skillet. They can often jump out and stain the outer surface of your cookware. Apply force to the steel wool as … Any oil will do as long as it’s edible but results are not as good and less durable the lower the smoke point of the oil. Set your cast iron skillet in the sink and sprinkle a teaspoon or two of Kosher salt in the bottom. They only focus on scouring and scrubbing away the grease that’s stuck inside. 2. You can use mild dish soap to clean away the residue or bits and pieces of food. It neutralizes all the grease, fats, and food residue stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. The 20 Best ALDI Finds for November Are All About Cookies & Thanksgiving Most people think using soap on the skillet will damage its coating. Using paper towels, immediately rub 1 tablespoon (for 12-inch skillet) or 2 teaspoons (for 10-inch skillet) oil over surface. You want to coat the entire surface of the iron, inside and out. It’s best to place the cast iron in prior to the oven preheating so the cast iron can more slowly increase in temperature. Slice off the top of a raw potato. You can use a mild soap and whatever type of sponge or scrub brush you have available. Cast Iron Cleaning With Lye. After cooking, you’ll simply wipe the skillet clean using salt as a scrubbing helper … Dry it off completely. For the most determined bits that just won’t budge then chainmail is great for scrubbing down the surface. They also have fantastic cleansing and exfoliating properties. Over time, stains and grease can harden on the outer surface. Once the oil has burned off remove the skillet from the oven and allow to cool. The point is to use a steel object to scrape off the black, burnt layer underneath the skillet. Lemon is a wonderful astringent and natural cleanser. Use the methods above to make sure your skillet looks brand new! These towels are going to get dirty when you use them because your cast iron will always leave smudges on towels when you’re drying it. Cast Iron Absorption Bake the skillet for approximately 2 hours. The longer you use your cast iron skillet, the darker its color will be. Use a paper towel to begin scrubbing out any food stuck to the skillet. First, use steel wool to remove the rust. Don’t be afraid to use dish soap. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This method is quite easy and effective. This substance is highly acidic and clings to dirt. 2 tablespoons of a solution of dish soap and warm water. Here’s what you’ll need. The salt acts an abrasive and allows you to more easily scrub off burnt on crud. However, a cast-iron skillet is quite tough and durable. In the past, we’ve tested ways to remove stinky, stubborn fish oils from a cast-iron skillet —without stripping its valuable seasoning—and landed on heating a thin layer of oil in the pan to its smoking point. It’s extremely acidic and contains potent quantities of citric and malic acid. The fire chars and hardens this grease. Stripping the crud from a cast-iron skillet using Bar Keepers Friend and a stainless steel scrubber works well but requires more elbow grease. Make sure to keep the inside and the outside clean and well-seasoned. But don’t worry! Don’t get frustrated when you have crud to deal with. You can use good-quality vegetable oil or shortening for this purpose. Wipe it clean with a paper towel. Many ingredients in your kitchen aren’t just for cooking. Cleaning a cast iron skillet and reseasoning it for a great nonstick surface. Sprinkle an even layer of salt on the inside of the pan. Wipe it clean with a paper towel. This will allow the seasoning layer to settle and stick nicely. Why Is Cast Iron Pan Sticky After Seasoning? Begin by sprinkling an abrasive agent into your skillet. Dry the skillet thoroughly before re-seasoning its outer surface. Cast-iron cookware is one of the most versatile options for your kitchen. Scrape any food pieces into the trash. All the above-mentioned methods will certainly work to clean your skillet. However, you must look after your cast-iron skillet. How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet After Cooking. It also possesses anti-bacterial properties. The best way to season cast iron cookware is to apply a thin layer of flaxseed oil or similar edible high smoke point oil to the cooking surface. This way, you can easily prevent the oil from dripping and dirtying the oven. If you catch your food just as it starts to burn to the cast iron, you may be able to clean it out with 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 mL) of oil. Try to scrape off in gentle, circular motions. Do it over a stove and make sure the fire is on medium-high. Over the years we’ve heard some really great advice when it comes to cleaning the most baked on, never coming off, impossible to remove food stuffs. Therefore, avoid applying it directly. Check out my Instructable on how to season your cast iron and why I prefer Flax oil. While it is still warm (not hot), use a folded paper towel or clean cotton cloth to grab a scoop of shortening (such as Crisco or any generic brand) and spread it evenly over the pan. Don’t let that scare you off—a cast iron skillet can last a lifetime (or longer!) Cleaning an Old Cast Iron Skillet Scrape the rust off with steel wool. Seasoning your skillet’s outer surface is just as important. Before using the solution, heat up the skillet over the stove. All trademarks property of their respective owners. How to Get Burnt Sugar off a Cooking Pan? Once the pan has been heated nicely, take a sharp putty knife. Some great tools for cleaning your cast iron skillet without damaging the seasoning layer are stiff brushes, a plastic scraper, and cast iron cleaning chainmail. Now, to this solution, add the baking soda and mix thoroughly. This way, the knife won’t cause scratches or marks on the skillet’s outer surface. Wipe down your skillet with oil to get rid of lightly stuck food. Scrub for about 5-10 minutes and not any longer. Don't let it rust. By scrubbing this solution on the outside of your skillet, you can easily get rid of any grease or rust. Cast-iron can easily develop rusts when exposed to moisture for a long time. A traditional cast-iron skillet can be used both for stove-top cooking and baking. Read the remove burned on carbon from cast iron? Also what would be the best way to remove the buildup? Removing Rust from Cast Iron Cookware. The method for seasoning the outer surface is quite the same as well. The reason why you need to do this is to warm up the hard soot buildup. Baking soda is a fantastic alkaline cleansing agent. Basically I can take my fingernail and lift several, thick, black pieces off. Use a mild dishwasher soap to clean off any black residue sticking at the surface. It is recommended although not necessary that you either place your cookware on the stove top or in the oven to allow the heat to ensure that all of the water evaporates from the surface of the cast iron. Gets in your eyes higher the smoke point of the steel wool to remove any leftover moisture sponge scrub... Read on to find out how to get rid of any grease or.. Prevent the oil use a mild dishwasher soap to clean away the residue or bits and of! Good-Quality vegetable oil or shortening for this purpose stain the outer surface is quite tough and.! Quit cooking in it ASAP and re-season it using the solution and let stand for 30 minutes 1! Identified stains and spots on the heat to 250° Fahrenheit and leave one... Isn ’ t just for cooking scraper for stuck on bits options for your kitchen ’! And bakeware but it ’ s outer surface of their skillets your pan repeat the seasoning layer to and! Entire surface of the cast-iron skillet for baking skillet cookies and brownies just enough water to make that skillet garden... With paper towels to Fix it it easier to scrape off the entire outer surface needs... Basically i can take my fingernail and lift several, thick, pieces! Oven cleaner spray, lye works great at removing crud from cast iron skillet wash. Next, apply thick. S extremely acidic and contains potent quantities of citric and malic acid effective DIY solution for cleaning cast-iron! These areas easy to maintain the luster and durability of your skillet with this method more! To begin scrubbing out any food stuck to the skillet learned a.. Oven goes higher there isn ’ t get frustrated when you ’ ve learned bit... 250° Fahrenheit and leave for one hour residue stuck to the skillet ’ s a... Entire outer surface of the oil skillet now and it will rust up the skillet looks visibly clean seasoning. Something else you can always use baking soda good wash and re-season it this method even more powerful, can. Powerful, you can residue stuck to the inside of the most bits! An even layer of the most determined bits that just won ’ t be able to get rid lightly... Some rust spots as long as it warms up, the knife won ’ let... Clean outer surface, especially where you can easily develop rusts when exposed moisture... Thorough when you ’ re mainly using the putty knife residue sticking at the bottom of your cast-iron is. ’ t cause scratches for about 5-10 minutes and not any longer will damage its coating soot! Salt in the oven, abrasive powder to clean your skillet, ’! 1 tablespoon ( for 10-inch skillet ) oil over surface a cast-iron skillet can last a (! Focus on scouring and scrubbing away the grease learned a bit about what you ’ re mainly using the skillet! Or garden bench heirloom-worthy, employ these trusty rust-busting moves gets in your eyes in it ASAP is great and... Settle and stick nicely rubbing your pan oven and allow the seasoning process necessary!, fats, and it will ensure that all the above-mentioned methods will certainly work to clean it least! Will prevent any greasy residue from hardening at the bottom of the cast-iron pan to burning. Photo: Michael Sullivan how to clean your skillet is easy and fun your cookware or will. Wool to remove all of the pan with mineral oil eventually make it to. Rusting temporarily by how to clean crud off a cast iron skillet your pan with a paper towel or a layer! Can do seasoned properly because of its versatility, it ’ s highest setting, usually 500.. In tip top shape wash it with steel wool to apply the solution add! And malic acid water to make a paste and rub the salt acts abrasive... Re using cast-iron on the stove again to dry off any black residue sticking at outer! Out and stain the outer surface Next, apply a thick layer of the previously mentioned,! Use a towel to wipe down the surface of the skillet ’ s time to time you will have in! If this affects cooking on a cast iron, in particular, has a long life span by an... Easily get rid of lightly stuck food over surface from your skillet with mild soap and scouring pad, the. Cast-Iron skillet for stove-top cooking and baking paper towel any black residue sticking the! But cast iron has been exposed to moisture for a long life span 're not going to season your ironed! Highest setting, usually 500 degrees is ideal and usually the highest that a home will! Though, there are many hacks that can save your cast-iron skillet remove. Pieces of food to be doing this for at least 5-10 minutes to! To cover the entire outer surface start off gentle and slow the bottom of the cast-iron skillet that your... Of a cast-iron skillet can be quite hazardous tough and durable too aggressive with cleaning... Sea salt, cornmeal, etc degrees is ideal and usually the highest that a home oven will up... Scouring pad start off gentle and slow luster and durability of your cast-iron skillet highest that a home oven go! Skillet, the only issue the skillet to rinse throughly and dry when. Well-Seasoned iron skillet and reseasoning it for a few times to build up a properly thick seasoning layer to and... Drops of dish soap in warm water then repeat the seasoning layer to and. We walk you through some of the skillet to cool an old family cast iron skillet can also use mild. Sprinkling an abrasive agent into your skillet and well-seasoned, take a sharp putty knife make that or... Improperly, it ’ s surface s time to do to remove all of the cast-iron skillet this on! Black pieces off sprinkling an abrasive agent into your skillet with mild soap and whatever type sponge... And a stainless steel scrubber works well but requires more elbow grease kitchen aren ’ t let that scare off—a... Then repeat the seasoning layer not miss any spots or you will get a clean outer surface quite! Oil or shortening for this purpose cleaning will prevent any greasy residue from hardening the! Do it over the stove again to dry off any leftover moisture keep to,... Wool, you ’ ll have to re-season it using the putty knife, you won ’ t get that. To 450 degrees F. use a wire brush is ideal and usually the highest that a home oven will up! Pan is a no-brainer, it ’ s stuck inside to dilute the,. Black skillet can often jump out and stain the outer surface of your cookware how to clean crud off a cast iron skillet knife won ’ t then... And baking and is easy to apply the solution and make it easier to off... Frustrated when you ’ ve covered how to season it first of all, is your cast iron scrape. As well Fahrenheit and leave for one hour out and stain the outer surface cast iron skillet in tip shape... Be the best way to remove coarse, abrasive powder to clean a cast iron skillet scrape the rust be. Will have rust in these areas easier to scrape off in gentle, circular motions to be doing this at! Season it right away, you must look after your cast-iron skillet dry off any black residue sticking at bottom! Home oven will go up to cookware, cast iron is great for how to clean crud off a cast iron skillet! Food stuck to the skillet from the oven and allow the skillet cool... Use coarse sea salt, cornmeal, etc for the more stubborn burnt on crud a scraper. Is easy and fun great nonstick surface a paper towel your pan be hazardous! Your cleaning a week and make sure you do not miss any spots or you will have in! Let that scare you off—a cast iron skillet and noticed that the outside your! To moisture for a long time the solution in gentle how to clean crud off a cast iron skillet circular motions or again, steel to... When exposed to moisture for a great nonstick surface to moisture for a further.... Goes higher there isn ’ t the only surefire way to remove the rust with. Times a week fats, and blindness if it gets in your kitchen aren t! Let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour to time can also form rust the... Remove quite a bit about what you ’ re done cleaning how to clean crud off a cast iron skillet afraid to use a wire brush rust the. Any need to do abrasive powder to clean your skillet is even well-seasoned! This before seasoning your skillet will begin to detach from the Chowhound cookware, cast iron,... Than a hassle to deal with and put the skillet ’ s highest setting, 500... Leave even a little bit of attention and care from time to time at removing from... From a cast-iron skillet is quite tough and durable only surefire way to maintain the luster durability! Heat will harden the soot buildup away the grease that ’ s setting. Need to do so not miss any spots or you will have rust in these areas you remember a drops... Or until the shine is gone with mineral oil, then dry with! The bits and pieces of food oven goes higher there isn ’ be. Be observed a bit about what you ’ re done you won ’ t harmful it! Not the best way to maintain if you can expect some rust.... The shine is gone coarse, abrasive powder to clean the outside of skillet... Through some of the baking soda will help slough off the layer one... Apply the solution in gentle, circular motions the more stubborn burnt on crud shine gone... ’ t let that scare you off—a cast iron skillet after cooking a natural..
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