cast iron skillet cleaning?

[wildhawk]

Looks like you have already received some great advice. The only thing I would add is to please, please do not EVER used Dawn dishwashing detergent on it. I did that once and my Dad nearly had a heart attack - his favorite cast iron skillet needed to be completely reseasoned after that. My sister just wipes her out with a paper towel. If something is stuck on there, she soaks it in hot water and gently scrubs it.

[wackyjacky1]

My sister just wipes her out with a paper towel. If something is stuck on there, she soaks it in hot water and gently scrubs it.

Ditto. If I have to wash it, I never use soap, just hot water and a Dobie scrubbing pad.

[Irulan]

I cook with dutch ovens outdoors, cast iron of course.
If your cast iron is hopelessly in need of a re season, what you do it build a big campfire and toss it in there until it's red hot, leave it until it cools and start all over.

[Brandi]

Alright! Thanks everyone for all your input. I now know how to take care of it. I made bacon in it this morning and just wiped it out after. Looks good.

[ibcycling]

The little Pampered Chef square plastic? thingies used for cleaning their pans work great on cast iron. I use those and water, wipe dry, and oil. Also you can pour a little water in the pan after cooking something that sticks and deglaze it right out. Just make sure not to let it sit with the water in it.

Lora

[Brandi]

Oh yea I have some of those pampered chef thing's. I will pull one out.

[LoriO]

The little Pampered Chef square plastic? thingies used for cleaning their pans work great on cast iron. I use those and water, wipe dry, and oil. Also you can pour a little water in the pan after cooking something that sticks and deglaze it right out. Just make sure not to let it sit with the water in it.

Lora

Yup, that is what I do, while the pan is still hot I pour hot water in the pan and use the metal flipper to scrape loose anything that is sticking. Just make sure it is hot water as adding cold water to a hot cast iron pan can cause it to crack. Wash out with hot water (try not to use soap if not well seasoned as the iron can absorb the soap and that doesn't tasts good!) and dry well. I will put mine back on the stove for a minute and let the heat dry it and then spray it with some Pam, wipe it with a paper towel to make sure it is coated well and then just put away until the next use.

I love my cast iron pans and I use them for everything. Once they are well seasoned you can cook just about anything in them and not have it stick.

The best place to find good cast iron pans are at tag sales and estate sales. Look for ones marked Griswold, those are the best and after that Wagner Ware. I've got a couple made in the late 1800's and there is no comparing quality compared to the new ones manufactured today.

I also do have one crappy quality one that I keep for when I make things that I don't want in my good pans, such as boiling hot dogs and stuff.

[Tuckervill]

The little Pampered Chef square plastic? thingies used for cleaning their pans work great on cast iron. I use those and water, wipe dry, and oil. Also you can pour a little water in the pan after cooking something that sticks and deglaze it right out. Just make sure not to let it sit with the water in it.

Lora

That's what I use, too. Perfect. And I never ever use any kind of soap on them. Verboten! It can get in the seasoning and flavor your food!

And I don't dry mine with a towel. I put them on the burner (or in the fire) and heat them up, and then let them air dry. Spray a little Pam if they're looking too dry.

Karen