Difference between revisions of "Care for a Cast Iron Skillet"
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| − | + | A cast iron skillet that is cared for properly can last for the rest of your life. Seasoning the skillet and cleaning it with salt and vinegar will preserve its natural nonstick surface and keep it from getting rusty. If you want to learn how to keep your skillet in good working condition, see Step 1. | |
[[Category:Cast Iron Cookware]] | [[Category:Cast Iron Cookware]] | ||
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#Wash it right after use. Try to get to it before the food you cook has a chance to crust over the skillet. This makes cleanup a lot easier. Simply wipe out the food scraps with a sponge and then rinse the skillet with hot water. | #Wash it right after use. Try to get to it before the food you cook has a chance to crust over the skillet. This makes cleanup a lot easier. Simply wipe out the food scraps with a sponge and then rinse the skillet with hot water. | ||
#*You can use a touch of regular dish soap to help dislodge sticky food, but don't use too much. Never use bleach or any kind of harsh cleanser. | #*You can use a touch of regular dish soap to help dislodge sticky food, but don't use too much. Never use bleach or any kind of harsh cleanser. | ||
| − | #*Never put your cast iron skillet in the dishwasher.<ref>http://www.southernplate.com/2009/02/how-to-season-a-cast-iron-skillet.html</ref> The detergent will corrode the iron. | + | #*Never put your cast iron skillet in the dishwasher.<ref name="rf1">http://www.southernplate.com/2009/02/how-to-season-a-cast-iron-skillet.html</ref> The detergent will corrode the iron. |
#Remove built-up food with salt and vinegar. If the bottom of the skillet has a layer of caked-on food, make a mixture of coarse salt and vinegar and use a paper towel to rub it around the bottom of the skillet. It's easier on the iron than a scrub brush would be, and less likely to remove the nonstick seasoning. | #Remove built-up food with salt and vinegar. If the bottom of the skillet has a layer of caked-on food, make a mixture of coarse salt and vinegar and use a paper towel to rub it around the bottom of the skillet. It's easier on the iron than a scrub brush would be, and less likely to remove the nonstick seasoning. | ||
#*You can also burn off caked food. Turn up the oven to {{convert|500|F}} and put the skillet inside for an hour or so. The food will turn to ash, and you'll be able to brush it off and rinse the skillet. | #*You can also burn off caked food. Turn up the oven to {{convert|500|F}} and put the skillet inside for an hour or so. The food will turn to ash, and you'll be able to brush it off and rinse the skillet. | ||
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#*Try not to miss any spots when you're covering the skillet with fat. If you miss a spot, it won't get a coating of seasoning, and will be more prone to rusting. | #*Try not to miss any spots when you're covering the skillet with fat. If you miss a spot, it won't get a coating of seasoning, and will be more prone to rusting. | ||
#Put the skillet in the oven. Bake the skillet for 2 hours to make sure the seasoning gets fully formed. After 2 hours, remove it from the oven and set it on a heat safe surface to cool. | #Put the skillet in the oven. Bake the skillet for 2 hours to make sure the seasoning gets fully formed. After 2 hours, remove it from the oven and set it on a heat safe surface to cool. | ||
| − | #Repeat the process. Spread another coating of fat onto the skillet and bake it for another 2 hours, then let it cool. If you'd like, you can repeat it one more time to make extra sure that the seasoning won't strip off when you cook your first meal in the skillet. After this initial seasoning, the oil you use when you cook food will keep the skillet in good shape. Every time you cook a meal, the nonstick surface will improve.<ref | + | #Repeat the process. Spread another coating of fat onto the skillet and bake it for another 2 hours, then let it cool. If you'd like, you can repeat it one more time to make extra sure that the seasoning won't strip off when you cook your first meal in the skillet. After this initial seasoning, the oil you use when you cook food will keep the skillet in good shape. Every time you cook a meal, the nonstick surface will improve.<ref name="rf1" /> |
===Dealing With Rust=== | ===Dealing With Rust=== | ||
#Soak the skillet in a vinegar solution. This will eliminate the rust, and it works no matter whether you have a few spots or the entire skillet has gotten rusty. Get a big pot large enough to hold the skillet. Fill it with a solution of half white vinegar, half water. Place the skillet in the pot and make sure it's completely submerged. Soak it for at least 3 hours so the vinegar has time to dissolve the rust. | #Soak the skillet in a vinegar solution. This will eliminate the rust, and it works no matter whether you have a few spots or the entire skillet has gotten rusty. Get a big pot large enough to hold the skillet. Fill it with a solution of half white vinegar, half water. Place the skillet in the pot and make sure it's completely submerged. Soak it for at least 3 hours so the vinegar has time to dissolve the rust. | ||
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#*Don't soak the skillet for more than 4 hours, or the iron will start to degrade. You just want to soak it long enough to take off the rust. | #*Don't soak the skillet for more than 4 hours, or the iron will start to degrade. You just want to soak it long enough to take off the rust. | ||
#Rinse and dry the skillet. Rinse off all of the vinegar, then use a dish towel to completely dry the skillet. | #Rinse and dry the skillet. Rinse off all of the vinegar, then use a dish towel to completely dry the skillet. | ||
| − | #Coat it with fat. Just like you would for a brand new skillet, use a paper towel to rub lard, olive oil or vegetable oil all over the skillet. This will become the skillet's new seasoning.<ref>http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/heloise/heloise-rusted-skillet-may07</ref> | + | #Coat it with fat. Just like you would for a brand new skillet, use a paper towel to rub lard, olive oil or vegetable oil all over the skillet. This will become the skillet's new seasoning.<ref name="rf2">http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/heloise/heloise-rusted-skillet-may07</ref> |
#Bake the skillet for 2 hours. Put it in an oven preheated to {{convert|350|F}}. After 2 hours, remove the skillet and let it cool completely. | #Bake the skillet for 2 hours. Put it in an oven preheated to {{convert|350|F}}. After 2 hours, remove the skillet and let it cool completely. | ||
#Repeat the process. Coat it in another layer of oil, bake for 2 hours, and allow it to cool again. The once-rusty skillet should now have a protective layer of seasoning. | #Repeat the process. Coat it in another layer of oil, bake for 2 hours, and allow it to cool again. The once-rusty skillet should now have a protective layer of seasoning. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
