Comments on: Cleaning Cast Iron

By: Corduroy Orange » Blog Archive » Updated Cast Iron Care Tips

Corduroy Orange » Blog Archive » Updated Cast Iron Care Tips — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:20:37 +0000

[...] See also: tips on cleaning cast iron and an index of all my cast iron posts. [...]

By: SamChevre

SamChevre — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:59:29 +0000

In the “reduce, re-use” category: my favorite thing for cleaning cast iron is a plastic-mesh onion bag.

By: Troy

Troy — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:16:25 +0000

I agree with Jesse,
This is exactly how I clean my cast iron also. I use a stiff brush and hot water, and I find that if the pan is still warm/hot (they retain heat for quite a while after the meal), then it cleans even better.

If food seems to be sticking a little, I will apply a light coating of oil (or lard) after washing.

I have had the occasion where it has sat around for a day or two because I didn’t feel like doing the dishes, and what I usually do is heat it back up for a little while before washing, and that seems to help.

By: jwsharrard

jwsharrard — Mon, 19 May 2008 22:54:41 +0000

The rust spots likely develop because the detergent wears holes through the seasoning. Instead of having to worry about making sure to correct the spots as they develop, I find it much easier to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.

All physical residue is removed by cleaning it with the brush, and germophobes can take comfort in knowing that the pan is heated hot before it’s next used….

By: Leah

Leah — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:11:49 +0000

this is against all advice ever about cast iron…but my experience has been very different. I’ve always used cast iron, my mom has always used cast iron, my grandmother…and so on.

I have a few newer pans, but most of them are older. Once they’re seasoned well I’ll wash the heck out of them with whatever I want. The only thing I DON’T do is put them in the dishwasher.

Once in awhile they’ll develop some wear and start to show rust spots…just pull out the oil and throw it in the oven, good as new.

My pans have been used for 40+ years that way, and I wouldn’t trade them for all the non-stick in the world. But I just laugh when I hear people talking about cleaning them. It’s freaking cast iron…what’s the worst thing you could do to it? Seriously.

The only bad thing you can do to it is drop it on your foot.