How to clean and store a cast iron pan. Most of the time all you may need to do is to wipe the pan clean with kitchen roll without even needing to wash it. If there is food stuck or burnt to the surface, then scrub it off with a Brillo pad and wash it in warm water.
You will not harm a skillet or other cast iron cookware by hand washing with say Dawn and even using a SOS or Brillo pad or a stiff brush. If the item is properly seasoned this will not harm cast iron nor the seasoning layer.
What is the best cleaning solution for cast iron? Water! You don't need (and should not use) soap to clean a cast iron. Simply use water and a scrub brush, or for a big mess use some course salt and oil to scrub away to residue and then rinse with water.
Use scrubbing pads to remove sticky residue or scorch marks.
A soft pad like a Magic Eraser will be less harsh on your iron than something like a Brillo Pad or steel wool scourer, which could potentially scratch the soleplate if you use too much pressure.
Steel wool is fine for cast iron and aluminum, but not good for Teflon. It will damage the coating and if you scrub it enough it will remove it, Ray.
How to clean and store a cast iron pan. Most of the time all you may need to do is to wipe the pan clean with kitchen roll without even needing to wash it. If there is food stuck or burnt to the surface, then scrub it off with a Brillo pad and wash it in warm water.
Whether it is a stovetop, oven, sink or refrigerator, anything that has stainless steel coating should not be cleaned with SOS pad because they can leave blemishes and scratches on the surface. It can prove a costly mistake because such scratches can be beyond repair and replacement might be the only option you have.
Common cooking oils like olive oil will gradually produce seasoning, but won't be as effective as grapeseed oil. Canola, other vegetable oils, and shortening are a little better.
Independent lab tests show FlexTexture is safe on the following surfaces: Acrylic, Aluminum, Car Exterior paint, Seasoned Cast Iron, Ceramic, Chrome, Copper, Crystal, Enamel, Fiberglass, Glass, Granite, Leather, Limestone, Marble, Non-stick Coatings, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Brass, Porcelain, Soapstone, Stainless Steel, ...
It's important to not use anything too aggressive such as steel wool, sponges or other abrasive cleaning methods as these will strip your seasoning. For particularly difficult to clean messes, fill your pan halfway full with water and heat over the stove.
Baking soda is your go-to for cleaning a burnt pot or pan because it has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralize acidic burnt foods. It can also combine with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice to create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food to get it off your pan.
If cast iron is left in the sink to soak, put in the dishwasher, or allowed to air dry, it will rust. It can also happen when you store your cookware in moisture-prone environments, such as a cabinet near a dishwasher, an open cabinet in a humid location, or stored outside.
What happens when you compare S.O.S® Soap Pads to Brillo® Soap Pads? Lab testing shows that S.O.S® Soap Pads last longer, have more soap, and clean faster!
The simplest way to remove a lot of rust from cast iron is to make a slurry of Bar Keepers Friend and a couple of tablespoons of water in the pan and scrub the rust off using a stainless steel scrubber. We recommend wearing rubber gloves. Again, wash, dry, and re-season your pan afterward.
Oil, especially canola oil (bad, unhealthy oil), should not be used. If a quick oiling (not seasoning) in between is desired, it's best to use a high temperature oil like avocado. A quick rub can do the trick, if your pan looks a bit dry. I have one pan that is about 100 years old!
Bake your cookware upside down at 450 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven for one hour. Allow the pan to cool down completely, and repeat three more times.
There are plenty of great alternatives to steel wool that get the job done without all the hassle. From Scotch-Brite pads to aluminum foil and even baking soda, you've got options that are easy on your surfaces and tough on dirt.
Brillo is a trade name for a scouring pad, used for cleaning dishes, and made from steel wool filled with soap. The concept was patented in 1913, at a time when aluminium pots and pans were replacing cast iron in the kitchen; the new cookware blackened easily.
The soap is the blue substance seen in the pad. In 1917, Irwin Cox of San Francisco, California, an aluminum pot salesman, invented a pre-soaped pad with which to clean pots. As a way of introducing himself to potential new customers, Cox made the soap encrusted steel-wool pads as a calling card.
They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils. Using an oil with a low smoke point will carbonize at high temperatures and cause residue from the pores of your pan to rub off onto your food. While unappealing, they won't hurt you in such a small amount.
Like oven cleaner spray, lye works great at removing crud from cast iron without harming it. Setting up a lye bath involves mixing a solution of lye and water of an appropriate strength in a suitable container capable of submerging one or more pieces of cast iron cookware to be cleaned.