Cast Iron Cleaning

"This is how I clean my own cast iron skillets, cast iron lids, and cast iron Dutch ovens. If you are unsure about my method, don't try it. It works for me, because although my cast iron is very old, it has no breaks or cracks. I have had really nice results this way! For self-cleaning ovens! *** I read a review (and thanks for it really!) that this will delete the non-stick qualities. I should have made my intention clearer, since this is what I do when cast iron has too much old, old build-up or looks too disgusting from non-use. I am happy someone said something though! I use my cast iron alot, so mine continues to stay nice because of that."
 
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photo by KissaMew photo by KissaMew
photo by KissaMew
photo by KissaMew photo by KissaMew
photo by KissaMew photo by KissaMew
Ready In:
2hrs 5mins
Ingredients:
2
Yields:
1 skillet
Serves:
1
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ingredients

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directions

  • Check your cast iron pieces for breaks and/or cracks. If there are any , this may not be suitable, I couldn't say for sure.
  • If you have any severe residue, try to take it off, but cleaning will most likely remove it.
  • Place your cast iron pieces of cookware open (or top) sides down on the middle rack in your oven. Space the pieces evenly.
  • Following your oven oven's self-cleaning cycle directions, set your oven to begin the cycle. Don't forget to remove anything fron the stovetop and storage drawer, if you have it.
  • Most self-cleaning ovens cycle for two hours, this is sufficient to clean cast iron too.
  • When the oven cleaning cycle is complete, let everything cool to touch. Remove your cast iron from your oven.
  • Your oven should have turned off from the cycle. Reset the oven to low just to warm it, like you would keep food warm.
  • Brush off any powder residue, using a wire brush if necessary, to smooth the cast iron. Blow out or wipe out the dust, if you've done this.
  • Using a new paper towel for each piece, use up to the 1 tablespoon of Crisco on your paper towel (some people recommend mineral oil) and smooth it over the complete surface of your cast iron. Make a thin layer. and a little thicker on the inside portion of your cookware.
  • Set your pieces right side up in your oven and bake on low for 1 up to 2 hours, if your time allows.
  • Take your cast iron out and let it cool on your stovetop.
  • When you cast iron has cooled to touch, use more clean papertowels to wipe the excess Crisco fron the cast iron.
  • I store my cast iron with a clean dishcloth between each piece, if I stack pieces.
  • In between seasonings, clean in a mildly soapy water, turn the flame on your stovetop to medium high and set the cast iron on it until it dries, turn off the flame and let it cool to touch. Then wipe again on the inside with Crisco (or mineral oil) on a clean papertowel.

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Reviews

  1. Mineral oil is made from petroleum. Do NOT use it on a pan you intend to use for cooking food!
     
  2. Please do not do this, cast iron can crack and also warp from this treatment (as well as with throwing in the fire). Cast iron is wonderful for retaining heat, but it has never been meant to withstand a temp of 500 and in some of the more modern ovens 1200. There are many wonderful resources out there for care of cast iron, spend a half hour and research the one best for you.
     
  3. My best friend cleans her cast iron cookware and ALL of her oven safe cookware, bakeware, utensils and even the burner grates this way. She swears by it and has done this for several years.
     
  4. Thank you for opening up the floor to discuss the best method for cleaning cast iron. Recently, I've done the clean it with a paper towel, pour in salt and rub with a fresh paper towel, heat to remove excess food and oil it lightly method. It does work well. My cast iron has to be cared for as one piece belonged to my great-grandmother!
     
  5. Deep is so correct, you should NEVER EVER use dish soap to clean your cast iron skillet.
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p>I love all animals, but can't have them all! Cats are so easy to live with because they are like little gypsies (Notice my kitty, Jasper, in my pictures, can you spell SWEET and ADORABLE?). He really is the strong silent type! He's 16 years now, from our local Humane Society, a 2x repeat offender who picked us when he was 2ish, being his 3rd family, he's truly our charm! You can take cats anywhere you need to live. I adore dogs, especially large dogs and I love horses. <br /><br />*Photo credits: The crochet blanket Jasper is sleeping on is the Red Heart ripple pattern. My Mom used to do this one alot and my friend Paula does this pattern and helped me learn it. You can't see all the colors but there are a few! It's my first ripple blanket and I must admit, I really like it! I found my quilt online, through a catalog (I recieve alot of those), it reminds me of the quilts my Auntie taught me to make and was the inspiration for my ripple colors.~ <br /><br />LOVE southern food, it is soooo addictive and so satisfying to make and eat! I also love to make desserts, although we don't really eat that much dessert at home, so I make the desserts for our potlucks at work! Nobody gets to diet at a potluck! ~ <br /><br />I am pure Finn, 100% American. Both my parents are Finn, my Da has found the ship's manifest for his grandparents and my Mom's father came in 1905 as at the tender age of 5. My Dad loves family tree research so he does this for us! You can sure tell a Finn, but you can't tell 'em much!. So, Kissa is Finnish for cat, and, of course, they Mew, a deciding factor in what chef name I chose. ~ <br /><br />My Mom loves Southern cooking, from the time I could see into a Dutch Oven or Skillet this is how she taught me to cook! My Daddy made bread but I confess I am NO GOOD. Help! ~ <br /><br />I realized in my adult life that I had been raised old country and I have been fascinated with culture since. My Dad is retired Air Force. We've met alot of stranger's who have become friends from many regions, hence my love for diversity among people. I would say at least 85% of the men in my family have served this country with honor and Thank You to every brother and sister in the U.S. Military for your heart felt service! Nothing like a man in uniform!!! ~ <br />My son has served in the United States Navy and has been deployed several times. He is often thought of as older because of the maturity our military has to experience and become. I am so proud to be an American! And I am so proud we have a voluntary military! There is true devotion in the hearts of these men and women! ~ <br /><br />I have three daughters also. They are admireable young women who do what it takes to survive this world and retain the ever male-challenging feminine mystique while they are at it. My eldest daughter works for a Dentist, my middle daughter teaches Kindergarten and my youngest daughter works with home phone services. All of my children are adults, although no grandbabies as of this time. I don't mind because I need me time too! ~ <br /><br />Three chef's on Recipezaar that seem to cook like I like are MeanChef (now adopted out, but I saved recipes!), NurseDi and MissNezz. Lots of homestyle and Southern cooking! I have also enjoyed perusing Iowahorse's recipe's because there are so many for wild game and just plain good cooking! I have become a fan of Mama's Cookin too, great baby recipes, big and small! There are so many terrific cooks on 'Zaar that you can't just pick just one! I love collecting all the recipes and techniques! Thank you ALL for being here! <br /><br />How do I rate? Well, If I try and love it I go five and up and if I think it looks delish, I give a four, only because I want to try it and then I can change ratings. Really though, I look for recipes that stick to the insides and look like you want to eat them. I've noticed alot of visual eaters in the world of mine and they head right for home cookin'! I save drink recipes just for the fun of it I guess, because I would need to be a bartender to make all of them! <br /><br />I have been getting emails from the 'Zaar letting me know about reviews and realize I have not been enjoying it like I should! I have been so busy with family obligations that my cooking has been minimal and I miss being here! Tinkerbell has kindly adopted me and I need to add something to my page for that. That is so ironic in so many ways, Tinkerbell! :&gt;</p>
 
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