How to properly care for your cast iron pan

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Cast-iron pans are a classic and versatile tool in any kitchen. Whether you're frying up a quick breakfast or making a gourmet meal, a cast iron pan can help you achieve perfect results.

As my dear friend, Chef Aimal Formoli, suggested in How many pots and pans do you really need:

“Buy real cast iron,” says Aimal. Don’t waste your money on the blended stuff you find at Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table. Those are colorful and just for aesthetics. A legit cast-iron pan should be heavy and durable enough to fight off a zombie apocalypse.

Like any hard-working tool, you must properly maintain it for peak performance. Using and maintaining a cast-iron pan requires a bit of care and attention.

I must admit, for a long time I had committed cast-iron pan maintenance sins

I scrubbed our cast-iron pan with dish soap and rarely seasoned it.

Then one day, while hanging with my friend Kent, he made an off-color remark about “people not even knowing how to maintain a cast-iron pan!”

I just laughed (while blushing) and agreed. “Geesh, people can be so uninformed.”

While Kent looked away, I immediately made a note on my phone to research proper maintenance of a cast iron pan for a future Enough About It blog.

AND this has brought us to todays post!

Season Your Pan

The first step to properly using and maintaining a cast iron pan is to season it. Seasoning is the process of coating the pan with oil and heating it to create a non-stick surface. To season your cast iron pan, start by washing it with hot water and mild soap to remove any factory coating or dirt. Dry the pan completely, then coat it with a thin layer of vegetable oil or melted shortening. Place the pan upside down in a 350°F oven for one hour, then turn off the oven and let the pan cool completely before removing it.

Preheat Your Pan

When using a cast iron pan, it's important to preheat it properly. Preheating allows the pan to heat evenly and prevents food from sticking. To preheat your cast iron pan, place it on the stove over medium heat for 5–10 minutes. The pan should be hot but not smoking. Once the pan is preheated, you can add your ingredients and start cooking.

Use the Right Tools

When cooking with a cast iron pan, it's important to use the right tools to avoid scratching or damaging the surface. Use a wooden or silicone spatula to stir and flip your food, and avoid using metal utensils that can scratch the seasoning. You should also use a potholder or oven mitt to handle the pan, as the handle can get very hot.

Clean Your Pan Properly

Cleaning your cast iron pan is an important part of maintaining its non-stick surface. However, you should avoid using soap or harsh detergents (take it from me), as these can strip the seasoning and damage the pan. Instead, use hot water and a stiff brush to scrub the surface clean. If you have stuck-on food, you can sprinkle some coarse salt on the pan and use a paper towel to scrub it off. Once the pan is clean, dry it thoroughly with a clean towel and apply a thin layer of oil to the surface to prevent rust.

Using a chain mail scrubber

According to fieldcompany.com, beyond cleaning your skillet, chain mail scrubbers also help you build up stronger seasoning over time. They do this by gently scuffing the top layer of seasoning, creating a textured surface that gives the new seasoning something to grab on to. It’s difficult to build bulletproof seasoning on top of a really slick surface, so the chain mail scrubber helps prepare your pan to accept and build resilient seasoning.

You can pick up a chain mail scrubber like this one on Amazon

Store Your Pan Properly

To keep your cast iron pan in top condition, it's important to store it properly. You should never stack cast-iron pans, as this can cause damage to the seasoning. Instead, store your pan in a dry place with plenty of ventilation. You can also hang your pan on a hook to save space and keep it easily accessible.

Re-Season Your Pan as Needed

Over time, the seasoning on your cast iron pan may wear down and need to be re-seasoned. Signs that your pan needs to be re-seasoned include food sticking to the surface or a dull appearance. To re-season your pan, follow the same process as when you initially seasoned it.

In conclusion, properly using and maintaining a cast iron pan requires some care and attention, but the results are well worth it.

Next time (if ever) you find yourself in a situation where an acquaintance points out the folly of those who don’t comprehend the proper maintenance of a cast iron pan, you’ll be able to chuckle along from your ivory tower of knowledge that you acquired by reading this post today at Enough About It.

Happy Seasoning!

https://fieldcompany.com/pages/cleaning-cast-iron-chain-mail-scrubber