How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet

Rinse the skillet out with hot water after cooking., Bring the water to boil., With a wide spatula, lightly scrape the bottom and sides of the pan to dislodge any remaining food scraps., Dump the dirty water in the sink., Wet a couple paper towels...

11 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Rinse the skillet out with hot water after cooking.

    If your skillet is still hot, this is the best time to clean it.

    If your skillet has a distinct "lip" so that it holds water, you can pour water directly onto the hot pan--something you should not do with other kinds of cookware.

    It will hiss and steam dramatically, but this is fine.

    Take care not to get too close to the hot steam lest you risk a burn.

    Rinse it out once to remove many of the large pieces of food.

    Then fill it again so that the water fills the cooked on area.The exact amount is not important, but
  2. Step 2: Bring the water to boil.

    If your skillet still needs cleaning, or is cold, you can heat the pan up again.

    Carefully place the cast iron skillet back on the burner and heat the water up until it reaches a boiling point.

    Boil the water for several minutes to help dissolve food scraps. , Do this while the water is still boiling, but only briefly.

    Too much contact with metal objects risks stripping the pan's seasoning., Return the cast iron skillet to the burner and turn the burner off.

    Use caution when transporting the skillet back and forth between the range and the sink.

    Because cast iron is an excellent conductor of heat, the handle, as well as all other portions of the skillet, will be extremely hot.

    Use a cloth or oven mitts to transport the skillet. , If done correctly, the bottom of your paper towel should contain a dark layer of residue. , Vegetable sprays work especially well for this purpose.

    Apply or spray a dab of fat into the bottom of the pan; with a paper towel, wipe the fat into the bottom and the sides of the pan.

    This process should turn the pan's surface into a smooth, glossy finish. ,
  3. Step 3: With a wide spatula

  4. Step 4: lightly scrape the bottom and sides of the pan to dislodge any remaining food scraps.

  5. Step 5: Dump the dirty water in the sink.

  6. Step 6: Wet a couple paper towels and quickly wipe the surface of the skillet.

  7. Step 7: Apply a thin coating of fat

  8. Step 8: such as vegetable oil or shortening

  9. Step 9: to the surface of the skillet.

  10. Step 10: Store in a cool

  11. Step 11: dry place and cover with a paper towel instead of a lid to prevent moisture from building up inside the pan.

Detailed Guide

If your skillet is still hot, this is the best time to clean it.

If your skillet has a distinct "lip" so that it holds water, you can pour water directly onto the hot pan--something you should not do with other kinds of cookware.

It will hiss and steam dramatically, but this is fine.

Take care not to get too close to the hot steam lest you risk a burn.

Rinse it out once to remove many of the large pieces of food.

Then fill it again so that the water fills the cooked on area.The exact amount is not important, but

If your skillet still needs cleaning, or is cold, you can heat the pan up again.

Carefully place the cast iron skillet back on the burner and heat the water up until it reaches a boiling point.

Boil the water for several minutes to help dissolve food scraps. , Do this while the water is still boiling, but only briefly.

Too much contact with metal objects risks stripping the pan's seasoning., Return the cast iron skillet to the burner and turn the burner off.

Use caution when transporting the skillet back and forth between the range and the sink.

Because cast iron is an excellent conductor of heat, the handle, as well as all other portions of the skillet, will be extremely hot.

Use a cloth or oven mitts to transport the skillet. , If done correctly, the bottom of your paper towel should contain a dark layer of residue. , Vegetable sprays work especially well for this purpose.

Apply or spray a dab of fat into the bottom of the pan; with a paper towel, wipe the fat into the bottom and the sides of the pan.

This process should turn the pan's surface into a smooth, glossy finish. ,

About the Author

K

Kathryn Harvey

Committed to making DIY projects accessible and understandable for everyone.

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