To effectively heat a cast iron pan, you need a large burner, and plenty of time for even distribution (see Cooking Issues for a good visual of this in action) It can rust. Any easy way to remove debris is using a hard bristle brush. So after rinsing, dry it well and place it on the stove-top over low heat. Usually, baked-on or crusty residue is removed easily with a scrub after soaking the pan for several minutes. But if you are worried about the look or it attracting cockroaches or rusting while the pan is stored, you might want to try removing it. And turn the heat down when you're cooking your bacon. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be able to write about my success with a cast iron pan. After cooking with your pan Gently scrub the pan using mild dish soap, hot water, and a non-abrasive sponge (such as a Dobie sponge or the soft side of a … Wait until the cast-iron has cooled enough to handle, then hand wash in the sink. The best time to wash your cast iron is after it has cooled down a bit, but not completely. You don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into your food. It is important to clean your cast iron cookware after every use. Cast Iron Cleaner If you use your cast-iron pan frequently—and you should be with all these good recipes—you know that sometimes it takes a little extra to get it clean. Dry it thoroughly with an absorbent towel to prevent rust spots. Want to cook more things in your cast iron pan? Join the discussion today. If the bacon has sugar added to it for flavor or as part of the curing process, the bacon will stick to the cast iron pan when cooking and leave a brown residue. Cooking with cast iron adds extra iron to your foods. You can find special cast-iron soaps, but after testing both the Camp Chef Cast-Iron Cleaner and the Caron & Doucet Cast Iron Soap, I don’t recommend them. They will last you forever, but burnt-on residue and rust can be a pain. Even Heating – Cast iron is heavy and fairly thick (as pans go) and once it is heated, you won’t find a better more evenly heated surface. Cooking bacon in it is not effective for its inaugural seasoning. Here’s a video about cleaning cast iron skillets, if you prefer a visual…, Basic Manufacturing of Bacon | Bacon & Food Safety |, Ceramic Vs Aluminum Vs Stainless Steel Vs Cast Iron Vs Copper Cookware, Let’s look quickly at why ceramic nonstick can be considered better in comparison to other cookware types. Not necessary to degrease a bacon press; just wipe it off. There’s Grandma’s cast-iron skillet for sizzling bacon, your trusty stainless steel bakeware and maybe a new nonstick you got last Christmas. Is this 100% ceramic cookware safe and worth the…, With all the GreenPan cookware designs in the ceramic nonstick range, you might be wondering which GreenPan is best and how they compare? This process, known as curing, allows the oil to settle into the pores of the iron. Some light scrubbing with a little bit of soapy water isn’t enough to strip the seasoning. Many home cooks simply use vegetable oil, bacon grease, or lard to season cast iron. Its one of my most used items in…. Black Residue on Cast Iron Skillet…Is it Harmful? Choosing Between Stainless Steel And Nonstick: Complete Guide, SOLVED: How To Store Sharp Knives (Ceramic Blades Also), Ceramic Knives Vs Steel Knives In The Kitchen, How To Clean Crock Pot Inside Out And Top To Bottom, Vesuvio Ceramic Non Stick Frying Pan Review. Not too hot, though. Twenty years – and I wish I were joking. Trying to use a 12-inch cast iron skillet on a 3-inch burner ring is an exercise in futility: the outer edges of the pan will never get hot. Put the pan into the sink and add a dime-sized drop of dish soap to the pan. You might want to try using salt to clear away the residue.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'ceramiccookwarehub_com-banner-1','ezslot_0',122,'0','0'])); To remove burnt residue on a cast iron pan, take a warm pan and then use a coarse salt scrub with a spoonful of coconut oil for lubrication. The seasoning process will keep your skillet in excellent working condition, and impart that extra deliciousness that only comes from cast iron cooking. Two methods for cooking perfect bacon in your cast iron skillet. I've cooked about three or four packages of bacon since the beginning of the year. After cooking – and while the pan is still warm – first wipe the pan with a paper towel to remove any burnt-on bits or residue. by Julia Kemper Johnson After a few cooks with your new cast iron skillet, you will have started to get a feel for your pan: how long it takes to heat up, how it feels moving from stovetop to oven, and how the smooth cooking surface reacts as you move food around the pan. Bacon! Xtrema 100% ceramic cookware is made of pure ceramic (not to be confused with ceramic nonstick cookware). You don't just season a cast iron pan once. Cooking Bacon in a Cast Iron Skillet. Find out what we use to get our cast iron clean. After cooking, let your pan cool, then wash it with a little dish soap, plus a little water and a gentle scrub. A well-cured pan will prevent food from sticking and rust from forming. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'ceramiccookwarehub_com-box-3','ezslot_3',134,'0','0']));How to clean a cast iron skillet after cooking? Rule 2 - Topical Discourse /r/castiron is meant to be a friendly community for discussing cast iron cookware, and that includes recipes, cleaning, care, identification, and other subjects directly relating to cast iron cookware. Cast iron bacon presses have so many more uses than only for cooking bacon perfectly. The question, then, is how. Don’t use a scouring pad of any sort because it can scratch the press and it will then stick to anything you place it on. I start out by placing my pan on the burner. This will work best if your pan is well seasoned. If you’ve let it cool completely, don’t worry. If needed, use a pan scraper for stuck on food. It should look like a brand new griddle after this imperative re-seasoning step. Cast iron skillets are versatile in the home kitchen as much as they are over the campfire. discussion from the Chowhound Cookware, Cast Iron food community. I start out by placing my pan on the burner. When something is subjected to high heat, the fat molecules begin to break down into short polymers. A good start for seasoning on your cast iron pan. Treat the bacon press the same as any other cast iron cookware. This is what a cast iron skillet is all about. Fold a paper towel into a small square and use it to wipe the oil into the surface of the cast-iron pan. It retains heat very well. Coat both the sides and bottom of the inner part of the skillet. How to clean your cast iron. Spread the grease around the inside of the pan in a thin, even layer. Of course I couldn’t keep this to myself. A cut potato with the cut-side down on top of the salt is a clever way of moving the salt around to scour the residue away. By no means am I an expert with cast iron skillet cleaning and restoration but I will say this: I got my pan to look amazing and it was simple. Dry it well, though, or your pan will rust. Then cook the empty pan upside down in the oven over an aluminum foil-lined rack for half an hour. Cast iron cooks evenly. That makes sense because a lid means you can do more versatile cooking and being ceramic cookware means much…, This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Scrape the cooled bacon grease into the trash can. Rinse your cast iron skillet under the hot water as best you can. "An added bonus is that it will also season the cast iron pan with bacon grease," he says. The above salt method is also useful for cleaning a rusty pan. If I don't also coat the bottom of the pan with a bit of oil, the bacon sticks like crazy to the pan. Put a small amount of vegetable oil onto a paper towel and wipe the interior of the pan. Cast iron is very strong, and with a little effort, you can get your pans into brand-new condition. See my, How to clean a cast iron skillet after cooking bacon, How to clean a cast iron skillet after each use. While the water is running, wipe the pan out with a clean cloth to remove food particles. In a nutshell, the following looks at ceramic vs aluminum vs stainless steel…. Crystal’s Cookware Hub also participates in other affiliate programs. Crystal’s Cookware Hub is about providing an ultimate resource for learning everything about making healthy choices in cookware and the information to help make it last. Cast iron cookware is great for everything from pan-searing pork chops to baking cornbread. I usually cook my bacon on a low/med heat after the initial heating up. You can use a small amount of soap. I seasoned with flaxseed oil (4 light coats, hour in the oven), and have cooked a few things - I made some Ghee, fried some onions, stuff like that. Get some good cooking grease to use later. Part of caring for your cast iron skillet is seasoning it to keep the surface smooth and to give it a non-stick sheen. A cast iron skillet can be used on the stove top, in the oven and even on the grill. Water left on it will start to form rust, whether salt was used to clean it or not. It turns out that a cast iron skillet is only annoying to clean if it isn't seasoned well. Take a paper towel, and wipe out all the grease and residue you can. After drying your pan thoroughly, drop a bit of cooking oil into the pan and rub it into the cast iron cooking surface, making sure to rub out any spots that look particularly greasy. Once cast iron gets hot it takes it a long time to cool down. … Home Checklist Campgrounds Bedding More Home Checklist Campgrounds Bedding More Cast Iron Cooking. To clean cast iron cookware, use a plastic scrubber and hot water to remove food. Some people prefer to use coarse salt and paper towels instead of soap to scrub their cast iron pans; it is a matter of preference. Just use bacon grease to cook a few times and lightly rub the grease on it before storage. When ready, hand-wash with a non-abrasive sponge in warm water and mild detergent. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. After you are done cooking your bacon, let your cast iron cool and remove the bacon bits from the bottom of the pan, and most of the grease. I usually cook my bacon on a low/med heat after the initial heating up. With the right tool, you can get your pan spick-and-span and ready for more skillet suppers. Not too hot, though. Wash your cast iron cookware by hand. Save a little grease inside the pot, take a napkin and spread the grease all over the inside and outside of the pan. Trying to use a 12-inch cast iron skillet on a 3-inch burner ring is an exercise in futility: the outer edges of the pan will never get hot. She is fascinated with books, reads constantly and is the owner and publisher of a book review blog and website. I have a glass top stove at the moment, not my favorite but it works. You can easily fix these and in this article, I cover how to clean a cast iron skillet after cooking bacon and those other foods that leave a brown residue. But when I first started cooking with cast iron, I was a bit mystified as to how one is supposed to clean it. Two methods for cooking perfect bacon in your cast iron skillet. I get the pan nice and hot. How many? There are so many things to cook in a cast iron skillet. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. After a few cooks with your new cast iron skillet, you will have started to get a feel for your pan: how long it takes to heat up, how it feels moving from stovetop to oven, and how the smooth cooking surface reacts as you move food around the pan. Scrape the cooled bacon grease into the trash can. You want to get all the food bits out of the pan, and season it again. If the bacon fat residue on the bottom of the pan does not come out with the rag, use fine steel wool to scrub the pan. Nov 17, 2017 - A cast-iron skillet can be a durable and versatile addition to your kitchen if you know how to care for it. Cast iron conducts heat evenly, which makes it ideal for frying bacon and other foods; just be sure to clean it after you're done. Try to avoid harsh detergents or scourers when cleaning. If you use salt and paper towels to clean your pan, rinse it with cold water and dry it with a paper towel to complete the process. Not properly drying your cast iron can cause it to rust. A well-cured pan will prevent food from sticking and rust from forming. Clean your pan as soon as possible after cooking with it. How to fix it: A cast iron pan is the best for cooking bacon, Weening says. Although technically you can use any cooking oil for seasoning a skillet, some say that flaxseed oil is the best oil to reseason cast iron. When bacon sticks while cooking it leaves a brown or burnt residue on the cast iron pan, especially if it contained sugar. Now it’s time to season the cast iron skillet. Use the soft side of your sponge to remove any residue you couldn’t get with the paper towel. Part of this debate stems from the fact that how you should clean your cast iron griddle depends on how dirty it is after you’ve cooked your meal. Care for your cast iron the smart way. For mildly soiled and well-seasoned pans, this may be all you need to clean your cast iron. If you’re not fussed about that, you can just keep using the pan and it will eventually cook away. But when cleaning cast iron, you are rinsing off all of the salt, so there is no time for rust to develop. Seasoning cast iron correctly means cooking is so much easier. Prepare it for use by wiping a thin layer of vegetable oil around the inside of the pan. Allow your cast iron skillet to cool slightly, add some water to cover the cooking area and leave sit. Put your pan in the sink, run some hot water in it, and scrub off all the stuck-on food. 1. A cast-iron skillet can be a durable and versatile addition to your kitchen if you know how to care for it. Although you can use oil or shortening to season your cast iron skillet, bacon grease works just as well. The grease is what keeps it seasoned. Off-topic posts and comments, including political comments will be removed. Save a little grease inside the pot, take a napkin and spread the grease all over the inside and outside of the pan. Please see our. Once cast iron gets hot it takes it a long time to cool down. Let's start with a very basic premise that we can all agree on: A dirty cast iron pan needs to be cleaned. It is a cumulative process that requires many applications, and cooking in it will usually undo some of that work. This gives weight to the product for great cooking. Presents 35 important tips for buying, cleaning, seasoning, and using cast iron skillets and Dutch Ovens. Also, each time I've used it, I've only used hot water and a green scrubbie to clean the pan--no soap, and then I dry it with a towel, wipe a thin layer of Crisco on it, and put it on the stovetop over high heat for about 15 minutes. One—and perhaps the only—benefit of hipster-esque, back-to-the-land cooking is the resurgence of a collective love for cast-iron skillets.They are the Filson of fryware: reliable, long-lasting, and ruggedly handsome.They are just as handy for frying a plate full of bacon as they are for a … Put some water in it and place it back over the heat until it’s warm again. Put the pan into the sink and add a dime-sized drop of dish soap to the pan. To be extra sure the cast iron is dry, place it on a hot burner and let it warm up, so any water will evaporate. Proper seasoning is essential to the overall success of cooking with cast iron. Our Seasoning Care Kit has everything you need to wash and care for cast iron the right way. I usually leave the bacon out about 10 minutes before cooking and I preheat the pan on medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Make sure and buy a cast iron bacon press that has a wooden handle. Don't think you have to strip all the seasoning and start again. Adding a dab of oil and wiping the pan over after drying every now and then will maintain your seasoned pan. (You can also pour a glass of hot water into the pan while it sits on the stove.) Soap is designed to take away oil, and cast iron needs oils in order to work. After every use, it’s best to clean your cast iron pan to remove all residue, then make sure it is dry before you put it away. I also cover ways to avoid and fix that rust problem. The entire pan needs to be swabbed with the oiled towel. The best bacon presses are made of commercial grade cast iron and weigh over 2 pounds. Seasoning a cast iron skillet has nothing to do with herbs and spices; instead, it's all about using oil to build up a nonstick surface and prevent rusting. These GreenPan cookware reviews look at the…, Are you looking for a ceramic non stick frying pan with a lid? Also, never run a hot pan under cold water! Fill the pan half-way with hot water and scrub it with your rag. I have a glass top stove at the moment, not my favorite but it works. Try to rinse your cast-iron pan right after cooking. How to clean a cast iron pan after use. Non-Stick – If you treat your cast iron right, you’ll love it MORE than any non stick pan you have EVER owned! Doing so will remove any excess food and oil that are still in the pan. Since cast-iron pans can handle heavy-duty cooking, you might have a bit of a mess to clean up when you're done cooking — but don't worry, no matter how you prefer ot clean your pan, it can take it. Also, never run a hot pan under cold water! Other reasons given for bacon sticking to a cast iron pan include whether or not you’ve preheated the pan, you’ve tried to turn it too soon, or the pan may need re-seasoning or priming with a dob of oil or fat on the surface.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'ceramiccookwarehub_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',118,'0','0'])); Priming does help to keep the pan seasoned and rust-free. You could also heat the cast iron at about 200 °F (93 °C) for 15 to 20 minutes to further bake in the oil. Rule 2 - Topical Discourse /r/castiron is meant to be a friendly community for discussing cast iron cookware, and that includes recipes, cleaning, care, identification, and other subjects directly relating to cast iron cookware. The 20 Best ALDI Finds for November Are All About Cookies & Thanksgiving Read on to learn about the best ways to clean and care for your cast iron griddle, and never wonder again if you’re cleaning it the proper way. Use a hard bristle brush – Right after cooking and while your skillet is still warm, wipe away any food with a paper towel. Because for many years I was not successful. I get the pan nice and hot. I used flaxseed oil to reseason our cast iron skillet. This section of our site contains important information on how to season your cast iron skillets, dutch ovens, griddles, pie irons, and other types of cookware. Cooking bacon in it is not effective for its inaugural seasoning. (Don’t use olive oil or bacon fat, which can turn rancid.) Cast iron conducts heat evenly, which makes it ideal for frying bacon and other foods; just be sure to clean it after you're done. Hi I’m Crystal and I’m passionate about healthy cooking and lifestyle. Just so you know, Crystal’s Cookware Hub is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link on this site. She currently writes for online content providers while raising her two daughters. Use a paper towel to wipe it out, rinse, and dry in the oven or over a burner for a few minutes. Tips when cleaning your cast iron pan after you have cooked bacon: Use a flat-edged wooded spatula or plastic spatula to release any stuck-on bacon pieces. Hot water and a stiff nylon brush or plastic scraper are all you need to clean the skillet after each use. Off-topic posts and comments, including political comments will be removed. Premium 5-ply stainless clad skillets from Made In Cookware. To effectively heat a cast iron pan, you need a large burner, and plenty of time for even distribution (see Cooking Issues for a good visual of this in action) It can rust. It’ll be ready to use again in no time! After you are done cooking your bacon, let your cast iron cool and remove the bacon bits from the bottom of the pan, and most of the grease. This is the brush set I use, and I cannot speak more highly of it. "Seasoning" is what protects cast iron from rust and makes for a smooth, nonstick cooking surface. If you've read our cast iron skillet review, you already know how strongly we feel about finding the right pan. To clean enameled cast iron, wash it with hot, soapy water, just as you would with any other cookware. Chances are, you don’t cook with just one type of pan. Cleaning Cast Iron Cookware. Leave it until all of the water has evaporated. Presents 35 important tips for buying, cleaning, seasoning, and using cast iron skillets and Dutch Ovens. I have a small cast iron pan which I am working with, trying to make sure I understand seasoning/cleaning before moving on to a larger one. Each material has its own quirks for cleaning and care. Best Things To Cook In A Cast Iron Skillet & How! Deglazing a pan after searing is an obvious, almost reflexive part of cooking a steak or a pork chop, but it’s not so common when frying bacon. Learn the secret to clean and care for cast iron, creating a non-stick surface that will have you throwing away all your chipping, old non-stick pans. Step 1 Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, dry the cast iron item carefully with a dishcloth and store it in a dry place. After cooking with your cast iron pan, hold it under hot running water. Allow your cast iron skillet to cool slightly, add some water to cover the cooking area and leave sit. This’ll prevent clingy food scraps like eggs or sauces from hardening and sticking to the pan. After cooking – and while the pan is still warm – first wipe the pan with a paper towel to remove any burnt-on bits or residue. Organic vegetable oil is a non-gmo option. Then, if there is still debris left, rinse it with warm water and scrub away any other food left on it. Sometimes when you’re cooking with a cast iron pan, you might get black specks that appear in your food. How to Clean Cast Iron After Cooking. Run your sink water until it’s super hot. A cast-iron pan is the reliable workhorse of the kitchen, but, like a real horse, it can get absolutely filthy—and people seem equally skittish about cleaning either.. Stacy D. Cooper received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University with an emphasis in writing and literature. Apply the fresh layer of oil with a cloth or paper towel, then wipe off the excess. Make sure your pan is dry before storing it. Not even remotely. Read the Brown residue sticking to cast-iron skillet after cooking bacon? I always like to prime my pan before cooking. Cast iron is definitely my favorite cookware. The polymers then bond with carbon and bare iron and in doing so, form a glaze. How to Clean and Care For Cast Iron. Then cook the empty pan upside down in the oven over an aluminum foil-lined rack for half an hour. Step 2 Moisten a few paper towels with bacon grease. Cleaning and Care Tips for New Cast Iron Cookware. Make sure your pan is dry before storing it. Prepare it for use by wiping a thin layer of vegetable oil around the inside of the pan. While you should clean the skillet after each use, season it as often as you like by rubbing a small amount of cooking oil on the inside of the pan using a paper towel or dish cloth. When ready, hand-wash with a non-abrasive sponge in warm water and mild detergent. While it’s slightly warm, clear off any debris with a little bit of soap, warm water, and a sponge or soft-bristled brush. Today is the introduction of 3 Minute Thursday and the first lesson is cast iron cleaning after cooking. But…. The basics of cast iron. The good news is, there are several other ways to keep your cast iron clean and working beautifully. To learn how, follow our cast iron restoration instructions here. And that's where the issue of cleaning comes in. A good seasoning on cast iron means the polymers in the oil have bonded with the iron. This applies to cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic, and non-stick pans alike.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'ceramiccookwarehub_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_9',117,'0','0'])); First up, bacon tastes great, cooked on a cast iron skillet.