Easy way to clean Cast Iron skillets

[kbarrett]

Quote:
I have to get some Coca-Cola! Dh made a great find at a yard sale and bought a 4pc set for $10. I just hadn't figured out how to save them as they're all rusty.

Thanks for posting this tip!

 

[AmyBella]

Thanks, Peepless! I think I'll try the oven cleaner trick just on the outside of the pan. I don't particularly care what it looks like, but sometimes the crud interferes with pouring off the fat and drips onto the burner. I love my cast iron so much... I will never go back to teflon!

 

[Parson's Wife]

Burn them in the fire, still going high...it will not hurt the iron. Let the 'crud' burn off. Once they have cooled...I'm talking cooled off.
Season them with lard, or shortening...cover them completely. This time set them on a rack above your campfire....it smokes the house up too much to do indoors...let them get good and hot that way...again...let them cool...then you will have cleaned an seasoned skillets. This may have already been stated.
Keep them seasoned after you use them, do not use soap if you can help it. I do use water, though some say never. I simply recoat them once I have washed and dryed them. To dry them after washing I place on the stove and reheat till all water is out, grease lightly & hang or store till needed again.

 

[_Randall_]

Quote:
That was the Golden Rule in Mama's kitchen.......and I'm feel confident so it was for MamMaw's kitchen, Great GrandMa's kitchen........and as far back in history where the cast iron skillet was "the" main tool in the kitchen!!

 

[CedarRidgeChicks]

Be careful putting in a fire..they will crack!!..I have a collection of cast iron..well over 100 pieces..Wagner, Griswold, Martin.skillets, pans burners, trivets and dutch ovens..I have cracked 2 deep skillets by putting in a fire. My MIL cracked hers putting in the dishwater while it was too hot. I often use the self cleaning oven on a freshly acquired piece or the coke method..be careful with the coke too if left too long (days) it can pit the surface. If I need to clean the inside I try to use only salt and a lite scrubby..season with lard.

 

[wildorchid053]

i just put it under the water and wipe it out with a scott towel then put on a burner to dry it..mine is black and shiney.. just perfect! it leaves a little oil behind to keep it seasoned. and if it ever gets a tad of rust.. i pour a little oil in the hot pan and wipe the rust out.. and it is ready to go. I have had mine over 40 yrs.. my favorite one is the square one.. makes great bacon and french toast.

 

[#1California Chick]

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Don't worry about stuff on the OUTSIDE of the pans!!!! As long as the INSIDE is slick, you are doing ir RIGHT!!!

 

[cassie]

I find cast iron skillets very easy to clean. I just run hot water in them with a squirt of dish detergent and work them over with a stainless steel sponge. I dry them off and that's it. Occasionally I may spray them with Pam. Cast iron skillets are the only skillets I use. I have one that was a wedding present and it has been in constant use since 1965.

 

[#1California Chick]

I LOVE, LOVE my cast iron skillets, Dutch ovens and Grills. I use them at home and while camping!

Several came to me from my Grandmother.

I keep them seasoned at all times. I try to use as LITTLE water as necessary to wash them, since water/soap removes the fat glaze. I also try NOT to scrub them. Use the Least amount of soap and scrubbing to get "stuff" off. Then you won't have to re-season them!!!

Let me know if you want some Great Camping recipes!! I have made bread and pies in the campfire!

Cindy



Here are some links with good info:

http://www.lodgemfg.com/use-care-seasoned-cast-iron.asp#2

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Information/CastIronPans.htm

http://www.castirondepot.com/page/careandseasoning

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/doityourself/a/Cast_Iron_Care.htm

http://healthycooking.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_care_for_cast_iron

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
That's what my dad does with his.