CAST IRON CARE
With the help of our sister publication Southern Cast Iron, we share all the tips, tricks, and tools for cleaning and maintaining your cast-iron bakeware. For more information, be sure to head over to southerncastiron.com.
CLEANING
When it comes to cleaning cast iron, hot water and a little elbow grease are your best tools. For tough, stuck-on grit and grime, coarse salt, a scrub brush, a durable chain mail scrubber, scouring pads, or even household items like a toothbrush or cotton swabs work incredibly well. More than anything, you want to avoid submerging your cast-iron cookware in water, which will increase the risk of rusting. Once you’re done cleaning, it’s important to dry your cast iron quickly and thoroughly. A clean, lint-free cloth or paper towel typically works best. Finally, you’ll rub a very light layer of cooking oil onto the surface of your cookware, using a paper towel to wipe the surface until no oil residue remains.
OVEN-SEASONING
Seasoning not only helps to create a nonstick surface but also works to prevent your pan from rusting. Though it requires a little extra care, a properly seasoned cast-iron pan can last generations.
1. To season your cast-iron cookware, rub a very small amount of cooking oil onto the surface of your cookware. Then, use a paper towel to wipe the surface until no oil residue remains. Cast iron becomes sticky when too much oil is applied, so it’s important to use only a small amount.
Place a sheet of foil or a rimmed baking sheet on lower rack of oven to catch drips. Place oiled pan upside down on center rack of oven.
