I use cast iron for most of my cooking. There are a few times when I use other cooking vessels but for the most part . . it’s cast iron. I have one big pot . . not even sure when or where I got it, but it had gotten cruddy. I could no long scrub the outside and feel like it was clean. My preferred method of cleaning them is to spray them with oven cleaner, stick them in a plastic bag and let them sit for a few days.
Thursday I sprayed my pot with Easy Off and put it in a plastic bag. I had all intentions of sticking the pot in the plastic bag, then spraying it in there and never touching the pot so I didn’t put on my rubber gloves. As with most of my great ideas, this one didn’t go according to the plan. I ended up having to move the pot, after it was coated in oven spray. I came in and washed my hands and put lotion on them but they still ended up peeling and scaly.
Today is the day I need to scrub it down with a brush, and re-season it. Hopefully my rubber gloves will protect my hands and I’ll end up with a nice, clean, slick cast iron pot when all is said and done.
Claudia Wade says
If you have access, Alton Brown’s new show called Good Eats Reloaded on the Food Network or the Cooking Channel has an excellent detailed segment on how to clean and re-season cast iron that has become nasty.
Marie says
Judy, I would just put mine in a fire outside and it would just cook it off. Always had limbs off trees and such. Worked really good and then I wouldn’t have to deal with the fumes from cleaner.
Judy Laquidara says
People have used that method for years but it isn’t a good way to do it. If you put an unheated skillet on a super hot fire, it may crack. Chad had that happen to one he had taken camping. The “cast iron gurus” do not recommend that method. I stick my pot in a big black trash back and spray into the bag. When it’s time to clean it, I dump it onto the ground and with a high pressure nozzle, spray off as much as I can, then scrub with a wire brush or pad. I really am not breathing the fumes. It’s an easy way to take them all the way down to the iron . . so long as the weather cooperates. It was warm and sunny when I did it on Thursday but now it’s back in the 30’s/low 40’s for our high and not a great day to be outside playing in the water.
Marie says
When it’s warmer and no snow I am going to try your way.
Kathleen Schwitzner says
I have a cast iron skillet (Lodge brand) and I am terrified to use it. What do I do to the skillet before I cook with it? Assume the first thing I will make in it is cornbread. Help, Judy!
patti says
hubby has been caring for our cast iron for years now, i’ll ask him and find a link for you. so easy, and no scrubbing at all. best of all, you use washing soda (he used all of mine that i bought for laundry detergent) which i’m sure you’ll have on hand. cleans so well you will have to re-season, but that’s a snap too… more to follow!