How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet For The First Time
If needed use a pan scraper for stuck on food.
How to clean a cast iron skillet for the first time. If you used it to cook remove all the food rinse it out and then dry it completely. Wash the cast iron skillet with warm soapy water and a dish cloth. But when i first started cooking with cast iron i was a bit mystified as to how one is supposed to clean it. Wipe out any food with paper towels a rag or sponge and gently scrub any stuck on bits with a brush or coarse salt. If there are pesky stains on the inside of the pot that won t go away after a thorough cleaning bring water to a gentle simmer in the pan on the stove with either a small amount of dish soap or baking soda then scrub and rinse carefully says nate collier of le creuset.
Before using your cookware for the first time place your cast iron under hot running water and quickly rinse off every surface to remove any dust or packaging residue. 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. 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. Clean your cast iron skillet while it s still warm. Dry the skillet the very first step is to make sure that you are cleaning a dry skillet.
You should wash it first. If you are cleaning a rusty skillet wipe it out quickly with a paper towel. For stubborn stuck on food simmer a little water for 3 5 minutes then use the scraper after the pan has cooled. For a quick seasoning that works well with new cast iron skillets simply wash your new pan with warm soapy water and then dry it with a dry cloth or paper towels. Rinse off your new lodge cast iron under hot water.
Our seasoning care kit has everything you need to wash and care for cast iron the right way. Wash your cast iron cookware by hand. Before you use your cast iron skillet for the first time wash it in warm soapy water and dry it immediately with a soft cloth. Rinse the skillet with hot water. Thoroughly dry with a rag or paper towels or place the skillet on the stovetop over medium low heat until dry about 3 5 minutes.
You may have to wash your new pan a few times to get rid of all the gray residue. Mild soap may be used on lodge cast iron products but is not necessary. To clean enameled cast iron wash it with hot soapy water just as you would with any other cookware. You can use a small amount of soap. Over the years i ve learned a few tips and tricks that streamline the washing up process.