Cast iron is porous, meaning that long exposure to water can cause it to soak up the moisture and eventually rust. While a short soak won't do much harm, I avoid soaking the thing for fear of forgetting it and ruining the cure I've worked so hard develop.
You may have heard that you don't want to soak your cast iron pan in water for too long. Soaking the pan will wear down the seasoning and can cause rust to form. But, you can boil water for up to 10-15 minutes to loosen up baked-on food.
How to clean a cast-iron skillet after everyday cooking. The most important thing to remember about cast iron is that it can't go in the dishwasher or stay in a sinkful of water overnight, as it will rust. (All is not lost if it does—we offer some tips for removing rust below.)
Clean cast-iron skillet after every use
Wipe interior surface of still-warm skillet with paper towels to remove any excess food and oil. Rinse under hot running water, scrubbing with nonmetal brush or nonabrasive scrub pad to remove any traces of food. (Use small amount of soap if you like; rinse well.)
Dry your cast iron completely every time
After rinsing, dry your cast iron well with a clean cloth and then place it on the stovetop over low heat. Allow to dry for a few minutes, then use a cloth or paper towel to rub it with a thin layer of shortening, lard, bacon grease, or a neutral high-heat cooking oil.
NEVER allow cast iron to air-dry as this can allow rust to build. This is particularly important if you have just used soap. Remoisturizing your skillet with oil will be crucial in the next step.
Don't ever store food in a cast-iron skillet
Additionally, although the idea of getting iron toxicity overload from cooking in cast iron pans has been mostly debunked, (via Livestrong) any food sitting in the pan for a prolonged period of time can develop an off, metallic flavor.
How often should I season my skillet? — To get the best out of your cast iron skillet, it's recommended that you oil it after each use. However, depending on how frequently you use it, 2-3 times a year is sufficient.
Avoid using the dishwasher, soap, or steel wool, as these may strip the pan's seasoning. Scrub off stuck-on bits: To remove stuck-on food, scrub the pan with a paste of coarse kosher salt and water. Then rinse or wipe with a paper towel. Stubborn food residue may also be loosened by boiling water in the pan.
And in case you slept through chemistry, putting your pan in the dishwasher will cause your cast iron to rust over time. “Water and cast iron are not friends. Even the smallest amount of water will cause rust, which is why it's important to immediately dry cast iron after washing,” La Forge says.
Why can't you boil water in cast iron? When you have water at a constant boil in seasoned cast iron, the boiling causes the seasoning to release. This can leave patchy seasoning or an uneven layer of seasoning left on your cast iron.
In addition, old water inside your iron's water reservoir can begin to cause rust spots. While you may be inclined to toss your iron for a newer, cleaner model, regular cleaning is relatively easy. Learning how to clean an iron can make it work like new again.
Cast iron is a shade of gray in its natural state. Any exposure to moisture, whether it's a drop of water, condensation, dew or a humid day, is enough to start oxidation. You will see a significant change in color and texture within 24 hours of exposure.
Clean the pan just after use, while it is still warm or hot. Avoid placing the pan into the sink or letting it soak, as this may also cause rust to start to form. 2. Wash the skillet using warm water and a stiff brush or sponge.
You're going to have to give your skillet at least six coats of oil and baking to create a hardwearing non stick base. Basically, new cast iron needs some intense TLC for the first year or so of it's life.
Using too much oil, anything more than about the size of a quarter will just build up and cause an oil slick on your pan. When it's time to season your cast iron skillet, you simply can't do this with a cold skillet. This will cause build up of that oil residue, and cause stickiness.
Cast iron pans can leach a sizeable amount of iron into your food, exceeding dietary intake in some cases. Acidic foods will contribute to much more leaching while an old, heavily-seasoned pan will leach much less iron than a newer one.
1. Clean after every use: While skillet is still warm, wipe it clean with paper towels to remove excess food and oil. Rinse under hot running water, scrubbing with brush or nonabrasive scrub pad to remove traces of food.
Use a fine grade steel wool pad and scrub the pan surface, inside and out, to remove rust and debris. Wash the residue with hot water and mild soap if needed. Once you have cleaned all the residue off the cast iron skillet, wash and dry your skillet as noted.
Acidic ingredients like tomatoes, lemons, and wine can be cooked in a well-seasoned cast iron pan for short amounts of time. You can sauté cherry tomatoes in cast iron, but don't try making a long-simmering tomato sauce.
Even though a rusted cast-iron pan doesn't necessarily present a health concern, it's still not recommended that you cook on it. The rust might add an unpleasant metallic flavor to your food. Plus, it makes using the skillet much more difficult.
Season a cast-iron skillet regularly, and you've got a kitchen workhorse for a lifetime. Every time you use your cast-iron skillet, you're wearing some of the seasoning down, and eventually it won't function as well. So season it again whenever you see dull spots.