How to Clean a Cast Iron Pan in a Very Simple Way

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How to Clean a Cast Iron Pan in a Very Simple Way

You could do a phd on this on if you want to. But this method achieves good results with fewer/cheaper materials, effort and time.

Madhu Shailesh

13.1k Views

Step 1 of 11

Food stuck and messy pan?

Step 2 of 11

Pour hot water half way. Don't ever put cold water on a hot pan. Don't boil water in pan unless you have sugar heavily caramelized.

Step 3 of 11

Cheap cast iron scrapers. Got it on amazon.

Step 4 of 11

Scrap away the larger pieces. Should take only few second. Don't spend time here

Step 5 of 11

Drain water but food is still dirty.

Step 6 of 11

Sprinkle quick oats and a splash of water.

Step 7 of 11

Use the pads of your fingers to vigorously. It should form a thin paste, the oats absorb excess grease and gunk without stripping the iron. Less than a minute for most cases. Fingers get soft too.

Step 8 of 11

Rub butter stick or apply few drops coconut oil. Save trees and fat. These are rich fats don't pour away only to wipe everything with lots of paper( I used a very small piece)

Step 9 of 11

Pan is seasoned and happy. Didn't waste a kwh energy to season it.

Step 10 of 11

The essence of seasoning is to have the iron pores clogged with saturated(doesn't oxidize) fat all times. Avoid cooking liquid foods, at least melt butter while pan is hot until u wash it.

Step 11 of 11

Don't use sponge unless it's coconut fibre. Best way to grow bacteria or get soap residue on pan.

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Madhu Shailesh

Corpus Christi, Texas

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Gail Harmata

2 Teaspoons Oatmeal

1 Greasy pan

1 Cast iron scraper

I just learned something new . Thank u all

Maya Garden 3 weeks ago

Really nice guide, Madhu! Never thought about oatmeal before and it sounds like just the ticket. Thanks!

Karen Wickersham 2 months ago

@Lisa you may need to use a stainless steel scrubber/pad to remove rust then bake the pan at 400F with a thin layer of fat like 3tbsp. This is the traditional deep seasoning required for rust pans but you don't need to do this often once it's back in use

Madhu Shailesh (author) 2 months ago

@Amanda, microwaving sponges for a few seconds will kill any bacteria. We do this every week or so, when we do a big kitchen clean.

Alex Howard 3 months ago

Do you think this could work to get rid of rust? When I first got iron pans, I didn't know how to take care of them. :(

Lisa F 3 months ago

This guide changed my life. Lol!

Jessie Towner 5 months ago

@Madhu, great guide. Many thanks. @Erica, I think u should make a guide for ur microwave sponge solution. I'm certain it would be very popular. 😃

Lisa Bennett 9 months ago

Amanda I microwave my sponge for 30 seconds and rinse with hot water. It kills bacteria.

Erica Kefah Legaux Abdullah 11 months ago

@ Karen I sometimes mix in a bit of baking soda with oats to scrub since it doesn't dissolve like salt. @ Shannon fire is hardcore and I like it but live in an apt.

Madhu Shailesh (author) 12 months ago

I use fire to cleanse mine but I like that you used oatmeal.

shannon b 12 months ago

I've always used coarse salt to scrub my cast iron pots and pans. I'll try oat instead it makes sense. Thank you Madhu.

Karen Larard 12 months ago

Sanitizing everything can be detrimental too. Never use anything that says anti-bacterial. Tricolorosan and other nasties may be present

Madhu Shailesh (author) 12 months ago

I just use cellulose sponge for other than cast iron. I guess the bacterial growth is minimal in the presence of soap. Squeeze the water when done.

Madhu Shailesh (author) 12 months ago

That's so cool! My mom wants a sponge in the house but I refuse bcuz of the bacteria growth. So what if I can put it (the reusable sponge) in the dishwasher - its the fact that I can't throw it away immediately and know with assurance that the bacteria is gone - not sitting there in my sink, increasing in number.

Amanda Greensworth 12 months ago

Wow! I'm from the USA!

Amanda Greensworth 12 months ago

@ kq trail and error. Autocorrect.

Madhu Shailesh (author) 12 months ago

@ Amanda Well I am from south India where coconut trees are like weed. We just dispose the fibers after few uses. Eco friendly

Madhu Shailesh (author) 12 months ago

She also rubs onion on hot pan sometimes to season it

Madhu Shailesh (author) 12 months ago

A coconut fiber sponge is resistant to bacteria growth?!?!

Amanda Greensworth 12 months ago

@Krisy NERD. @ kq Trail and torrent. Learned from dosas(rice flour pancakes) that my mom cooks on cast iron and season by throwing away the first dosa. But oat meal is much better because of its gel like starch.

Madhu Shailesh (author) 12 months ago