C ast iron skillets are an excellent companion for any chef. They are not only non-stick and great uniform conductors of heat, but they also last famously long. In fact, families often pass down their skillets to their children! But of course, like any long-lasting item, you must know how to maintain a cast iron skillet well.
If you have acquired your first such skillet and have no idea what to do about it, you have come to the right page. Let us take you by the hand and tell you all the nitty-gritty you will need to know.
What is a Cast Iron Skillet Anyway?
A cast-iron skillet is a wonderful non-stick pan great for cooking anything and everything. Due to its head conduction properties, people most often use these pans for all sorts of cooking: basting, broiling, frying, sauteing, roasting, baking, braising, and whatever else you can think of! The more ‘seasoned’ your pan is, the more flavor it will add to your dish. We’ll talk more about that in a moment.
The First Cleanse
When you first acquire a cast iron skillet, you can use hot water and soap to clean off any grime or residue from the factory or the previous owner’s kitchen. This is the only time you should use hot water and soap for an intensive cleaning for sanitary reasons. When you start using the skillet, the cleaning will look very different. If you maintain it well, you will only need to soap it once or twice a year.
The Seasoning
This is not your average salad seasoning, this is the seasoning of a pan. The reason that cast iron skillets are so wonderfully non-stick is that they have multiple layers of oil baked into the iron that insulate it and protect it from rust. You may need to re-season your skillet if you got it second-hand -here is a detailed video on how to do that. Once it is properly seasoned, it will perform at its best!
Storage
Another thing you need to remember for cast iron skillet maintenance is that storage matters more than you think. When you’re done with it and ready to stash it in the cupboard, make sure that the skillet is completely dry. A wet skillet is a recipe for a rust-related disaster. A good way to ensure that it is dry is to insert a paper towel in the skillet that would absorb all the water. Also, remember that cast iron skillets are not for storing food in the fridge. Clean and store it as soon as you’re done using it.
Regular Upkeep Steps
Here are some steps you can follow after you’re done using your skillet every time.
Rinse and Use A Brush Or Scraper
Rinse your skillet with plain water and use a brush to scrape food bits off the surface. You can use something sharper if the food is really stuck on the surface. DO NOT use soap or steel wool like you would on any other kind of skillet.
Scrub With Salt And Oil
Once the food bits are off the surface, mix some salt with vegetable oil and scrub the surface well. Think of this as your cast iron skillet being exfoliated of all grime and dirt.
Dry And Oil
Next, dry the skillet with multiple kitchen towels until it doesn't feel wet anymore. Then ‘season’ it with a thin layer of oil, cover it with another dry kitchen towel, and put it in its proper storage place.
Gentle Utensils And Immediate Cleaning
Here are two other tips we want to leave you with: first, make sure that you’re using gentle utensils to stir and cook in the pan. It wouldn’t be wise to scrape harshly while the skillet is hot. Use silicone or wooden spoons to stir instead. Next, get into the habit of immediate cleaning after usage. The more diligently you care for your skillet, the more returns you will get from it in terms of longevity.
Knowing how to maintain a cast iron skillet is an essential skill for a chef and a home cook alike. Ensure that you follow these steps and respect your skillet -the more you do, the better your food will end up tasting. Good luck!
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This post is tagged in:
- Maintain a Cast Iron Skillet
- cooking
- cast iron skillet
- maintain cast iron
