Let's talk about it cast iron frying pan you probably inherited or bought because you heard they last forever. Yes, but only if you stop treating them like disposable non-stick pans. Seriously, these things are practically family heirlooms, so show some respect.
The fastest way to ruin cast iron is to treat it with dish soap and steel wool as if it personally offended you. That seasoning—the magical nonstick layer you're supposed to create over time—will disappear, leaving behind a sticky, rust-prone mess.
So, what secret weapon do the pros use? It's ridiculously simple and probably sitting in your pantry right now: coarse salt. Yes, just salt. A handful acts as a gentle but effective scrub, getting rid of stuck-on food without ruining the precious seasoning. It's a cheap and easy way to keep your cast iron and your cooking perfect for years to come.
Whatever you do, resist the urge to soak dirty cast iron or run it through dishwasher. Here's how to safely clean your cast iron cookware.
Never miss any of our unbiased technical content and behind-the-lab reviews. Add CNET as Google's preferred source in Chrome.
Should you wash cast iron cookware in the dishwasher?
Wondering if cast iron is dishwasher safe? It's a little complicated, but the short answer is no. Spinning it in the dishwasher won't ruin the pan or render it useless, but it will remove an important layer of seasoning and nonstick patina from the surface you've worked to build over time. In short, it won't do the pan any good.
How to Clean a Cast Iron Frying Pan Like a Professional
Cleaning a cast iron skillet won't take more than a few minutes. You also don't have to thoroughly wash the pan after every use. For example, if you've just fried an egg or reheated a chicken breast, you'll likely need a rag dampened with warm water to wipe it down.
Whether you've just fried something with excess fat or stuck-on bits of food, follow these simple steps and your cast iron will stay clean and continue to hold a nice, seasoned nonstick surface.
Clean your cast iron skillet while it is still warm.
I know: With that sizzling pork chop out of the pan and ready to eat, the last thing you want to do is clean it up. Believe me, if you act quickly, the job will be easier. Add warm water to the pan a few minutes after removing it from the heat, while it is still warm but not too hot or you may warp the metal. This rapid simmer will go a long way toward clearing debris from the pan.
Clean cast iron while it is still warm.
Scrape with a wooden spoon or soft-bristled brush.
As the hot water washes away any remaining food from the surface of the pan, it's time to remove any residue with a wooden spoon or soft brush.
I like it Oxo Cast Iron Brush $20.. It works great on a classic flat pan, but has separate tufts of bristles so it works well on cast iron grill pans or grates. If you prefer something more natural, use a palm brush. like this will work, but they may not last as long. You can always use a standard soft sponge with a rough side, but know that this will probably be the last time you use this sponge.
Avoid using metal scrapers, which may damage the cast iron surface. Beware of rubber and plastic spatulas, especially cheap ones, as they can melt from the hot metal.
This $20 Oxo brush is durable and especially good for cleaning between the grates of cast iron grill pans.
Use salt to clean cast iron of stuck food.
Taking a look at your pan will help you determine what kind of cleaning task you have ahead of you. After most uses, dousing with warm water is sufficient. If anything is too sticky, sprinkle a little kosher salt (no water) on the cast iron and scrape it gently with a wooden spoon or flat-ended spatula. Sprinkle in the salt and add a little water to get everything moving.
A little kosher salt will help remove any stuck-on food debris.
If you need to scrub harder than a wooden spoon or rag, use a cast iron safety brush like the one mentioned above.
Dry the cast iron immediately.
Rust is the most common problem faced by people working with cast iron, but it is also easy to avoid. It is important to dry the cast iron immediately and thoroughly. It's best to use heat from the stove or oven, which will dry out the inside of the pan, but you can also use a dry rag.
To dry the pan on the stove, simply place it on low heat for a few minutes. You'll see it release some steam and maybe some smoke. As the process begins to slow down, your pan will dry out. Use medium heat to dry out the pan in the oven if it's still on. About 5 minutes at 325 degrees F should be enough.
Give it a quick new seasonality, why not?
Once it's dry and while it's still hot, you can (and should) feel free to season it with cast iron seasoning wax (I like Made In Beeswax, Canola and Flaxseed Oil Blend.) or some other vegetable oil for frying. Read more about this here CNET's Guide to the Perfect Seasoning for a Cast Iron Skillet.
Adding seasoning after every few uses will keep your cast iron skillet looking great.
Can you use dish soap on cast iron?
The #1 question when cleaning cast iron cookware is whether you can use soap to clean a frying pan or grill pan. The answer is yes, but you should try not to. A little soap—and I mean just a little smear—will not ruin your cast iron, but some harsh soaps will ruin the nonstick patina and can also affect the flavor your cast iron has acquired.
