How to Clean Cast Iron Cookware

Keeping your cast iron cookware looking nice is not difficult.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cooking oil or shortening
• Elbow grease
• Soft cloth
• Scrubber

1. Cast Iron is the perfect non stick cookware. Sometimes what is first on the market is truly the finest. Cooking with cast iron is also beneficial to your health, giving you a natural iron supplement over the course of time as well as a great upper body work out. A larger sized cast iron skillet can weigh as much as eight pounds or more.
   
   Naturally, cast iron cookware comes in different sizes and shapes. My personal favorites are the larger sized family skillet, the smaller personal sized pan skillet, the dutch oven and the flat griddle. With these pans I can cook most anything I set my mind to.

2. Proper care of your cast iron cookware is easy and takes very little time. When you first bring your new cast iron cookware home you will need to "Season" it.
   
   Simply wash your pan with a mild dish soap and dry it completely. After your pan is dry give it a good oiling with either a vegetable oil or even solid shortening. Use a paper towel or clean dishtowel and simply place a thin coating of your oil or shortening inside and out of your pan. Don't forget to do the lid (if you have one) and the handle of your pan.

3. After you have oiled your pan place your pan into an oven set to about 350 for up to 2 hours. That's all there is to it. You are now ready to cook with your new non stick cast iron cookware.

Tips & Warnings

• The longer you use it the more it seasons itself eventually turning a nice shiny black and by using nylon or wooden utensils you will not scratch the nicely seasoned surface, of course, if it is scratched or rusted simply re season it and you are back in business.
• While cooking bacon and other greasy foods in your cast iron is recommended (a natural seasoning with the oils if you will), if you are cooking acidic foods like tomatoes the acid will eat into your nicely seasoned pan so it is suggested that you cook those in a stainless steel pan instead of your nice cast iron cookware.
• Cast iron is the easiest most versatile cookware there is. I still have pans that my grandmother used and they are still going strong. With the price of cookware today cast iron is the most value and longest lasting cookware I have ever seen.
• Never ever put your cast iron cookware in the dishwasher. It will rust. If for some reason you do notice rust on your cast iron cookware it was probably not all of the way dry when you put it away. Simply re season your cookware and you will be able to continue using it for years to come.
• Never store food in your cast iron cookware and always make sure to dry it completely before putting it away. Some people like to store it in the oven especially after having used the oven. The residual warmth will help to dry your pan and protect it from scratches.