How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet Before Seasoning

Heat the skillet in a 350 f oven for one hour which.

How to clean a cast iron skillet before seasoning. To avoid getting smudges on all your kitchen towels designate one to use exclusively for drying your cast iron skillet. A good cast iron skillet can be used for just about anything whether it s searing meat on a stovetop baking a frittata in the oven or even roasting vegetables over the grill. Even a well seasoned pan can rust if it s left in the sink to soak put in the dishwasher allowed to air dry or stored in a moisture prone environment. The seasoning on a cast iron pan is just oil that s baked into the pan it gives the cast iron that classic black patina. It s easy to fry eggs in cast iron when you know a few tricks.

Although cast iron is very durable it will rust when exposed to water or air making the seasoning step crucial. Well seasoned cast iron skillets naturally become non stick. Saucy skillet chicken puttanesca proves you can cook tomatoes in cast iron. While you should clean the skillet after each use season it as often as you like by rubbing a small amount of cooking oil on the inside of the pan using a paper towel or dish cloth. Most cast iron pans come with a factory seasoning that improves with regular use and proper care.

As a reminder to be careful drape a thick towel or a mitt over the handle. Basically the more you use it the more non stick it becomes. Instead it s all about using oil to build up a nonstick surface and prevent rusting. Without the protective layer of carbonized oil called seasoning cast iron is susceptible to rust. When cleaning cast iron be careful not to damage the seasoning.

The american manufacturer pre seasons its cast iron cookware with a thin layer of baked on oil before each piece leaves the factory however even a brand new pan needs a little tlc before it fries its first egg and that goes double if you re snagging a vintage cast iron. The longer the food is in. How does it work. Skillet peach crisp is a summertime dream. Pork chops and cabbage is a one skillet dinner.

Cooking in cast iron increases the iron content in food. Cornbread in a cast iron skillet has an irresistible golden brown crust. Cast iron remains hot long after you remove it from the stove. If this happens use these steps to strip a cast iron skillet that is completely remove any residual seasoning on a cast iron pan before reseasoning it. Easy off is a caustic alkali so be sure to work outdoors wear rubber gloves and avoid spraying near your face or skin.