Ready to learn how to clean your cast iron skillet? Due to their capacity for high heat volume, cast iron skillets are many at-home artisans’ first choice for cooking meat and seafood. Whether in the oven or on the stove, cast iron skillets are great for:
- Searing
- Roasting
- Braising
- Deep-Frying
Plus, if you’re choosing high-quality cuts, it’s best to avoid coated skillets that can introduce unwanted chemicals to your meat.
Cast Iron Skillet Care
It’s safe to say that taking care of your cast iron will take care of you and your steak. So, here are the DOs and DON’Ts of cleaning your classic skillet:
DON’T
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Put It In The Dishwasher - Too much water can be bad for cast iron, and most dishwashing detergent will strip your skillet’s seasoning.
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Use Any Soap - It’s going to feel weird at first, but you’ll get used to it. Using soap on cast iron not only strips off that built-up non-stick surface you’ve created through the seasoning process, but it also could soak into the skillet and create a soapy taste when you use it. In short, avoid this at all costs..
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Soak It in Water Overnight - This amount of water exposure could result in rust.
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Use Harsh Abrasives - Scouring tools, like stainless steel sponges, can also strip the seasoning from your skillet.
- Don't store your skillet in your oven. While your oven is certainly cool and dry, this isn’t an ideal place to store your skillet. Each time you preheat your oven and forget to take it out ahead of time, you cause damage to your skillet’s seasoning. Instead, it’s best to store in the cabinet with your other pots and pans — just make sure you line your skillet with a paper towel if you stack any other pans on top of it.
DO
- Drain the Fat and Oil - Pour out the leftover mess while the skillet is still hot, then wipe dry with a rag or paper towel.
- Wash it immediately after use. The easiest way to clean your skillet is to rinse it with water when it’s still warm from cooking. If you do happen to get stuck on pieces of food, try bringing a few cups of water to a boil in it on the stove, then scrubbing and rinsing — rather than soaking in the sink. You can also use a paste of coarse kosher salt and water to scrub off any extra stuck on bits.
- Apply a light coating of vegetable oil with a paper towel or a cloth. That’s it! Then store in a cool, dry place.
- Keep it forever. When it comes to cast iron skillets, old is better than new. In fact, if you can find a used cast iron skillet in an antique store or thrift store, that’s actually better than purchasing new from a store. With a little love and care, you can bring an old cast iron skillet back to life and enjoy the “they don’t make them like this anymore” advantages.
Season Cast Iron
The more you use your skillet, the better it will get. This is because the oil you use every time you cook (and when you season your skillet) helps to create a non-stick surface over time. Using it regularly helps to season the cast iron and causing the non-stick surface to build up over time.
Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
Looking for a few great Cast Iron Skillet Recipes? You've come to the right place.
Herb and Garlic Butter Basted Steak
Use this recipe to help you cook the perfect steak every time. Your steak will be juicy and melt-in-your-mouth tender with a beautifully browned and crusty sear, finished with a rich, flavorful herby garlic butter baste. Get started.
Bone-In Ribeye with Fingerling Potatoes
This mouthwatering recipe starts with a sous vide cooker and is finished in a cast iron skillet. You'll love the extra flavor from the delicious fingerline potatoes and pickled rhubarb and cherry peppers. Mmmm. Get started.
