Who knows the proper way

MrGunz22

To clean a cast iron pot!! I'm sure lots of you know. Apparently I don't. I just bought my first ever cast iron pan. Nothing fancy. It's a 12" lodge. I've been using it and when done rinsing it with hot water and drying with a paper towel. That doesn't really work well. If I use a sponge I have to throw the sponge out.

What's the proper way?

drl50

My late Mom used to forbid the use of dish soap or steel wool soap pads. Boiling water and stiff brush (not wire) and then coat with cooking oil to prevent rust. Here's what an internet search brought up:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4517239_clean-cast-iron-frying-pan.html

guntech59

Mark......do a search of GD topics....there probably 50 threads on this very subject.

bpost

The more you use it the better it will get. That is why a fully seasoned cast iron pan is so desirable to have. You have to work for it.

Cooking bacon in a new one really helps. Just wipe it out after use, no hot water no abrasives.

legear

At least its not a recipe thread.
[:D]

Grasshopper

After use let, Ole Blue lick it clean-

MrGunz22

quote:Originally posted by guntech59
Mark......do a search of GD topics....there probably 50 threads on this very subject.





I tried that. Seem like everyone has there own way. I don't think I want to use soap. I'm going to try hot water and a stiff brush. I've been using hot water and the sponge but my wife isn't buying the "I don't know where the new sponge went" any more. [:D]

MrGunz22

Bacon actually makes the biggest mess in there. Turns the sponge black[:D]

searcher5

I use warm soapy water and a wash rag, or a nylon bristle brush, if necessary. Dry it, heat it up on the stove, and wipe it down with some melted Crisco. Lot of folks on here strongly disagree with that treatment, but it's worked for me in 30+ years of cooking with cast iron. It's also the way my mother, and grandmother did it.

Dan

Old.22Bolts

If you want it "clean", put it in the oven and set your oven to
"self-cleaning" mode and get ready to remove the smoke
from your house......[;)]

You will then have re-season the skillet so that food won't stick
when you cook in it.....

minitruck83

quote:Originally posted by Old.22Bolts

If you want it "clean", put it in the oven and set your oven to
"self-cleaning" mode and get ready to remove the smoke
from your house......[;)]

You will then have re-season the skillet so that food won't stick
when you cook in it.....





Or an open fire, then reseason.

Mom never allowed soap near the cast iron.


Allen

yoshmyster

Typically after use I use hot water and steel wool (not like S.O.S.). Looks like wooled up 1/8" ribbons. Then put it on top of the stove and turn on the heat and wipe it dry. While still warm slap a bit of lard and coat the surface with a bit of paper towel. After it cools I put her away.

Now I've seen a square of steel ring mail that's "supposed" to be used for cleaning cast iron. or an odd looking tool like a screw driver handle with rings on it also for cleaning.

I think the coating the cast iron wth fat is more important than what you use to clean it.

COLT

...IF, a big if, if you need to ask, get it seasoned...as others have said do NOT clean with ANY soap, or ABRASIVE pads, period, or you will remove the seasoning!

...Rinse with clean water and SALT ONLY and wipe out well, and it will only get better with time...[;)]

bigoutside

quote:Originally posted by Grasshopper
After use let, Ole Blue lick it clean-


Ole Blue was ambushed by a troupe of corn monkeys over two years ago. [xx(][V][V]

Try to keep up [;)]

armilite

quote:Originally posted by legear
At least its not a recipe thread.
[:D]



Or a trigger thread. [;)][:D]

p3skyking

After you've used it awhile, just barbeque and when you're done cooking, throw it in the coals and when it's cool, take it out and knock the ash out. It will be clean.