How to clean cast iron cookware sets?
Many housewives have a headache because the cast iron pans have rusted and cannot be used after a period of use. But, do not worry, let us show you how to clean cast iron cookware set right below!
Advantages of cast iron cookware you need to know
Cast iron pan is heavy but durable, very good heat retention so it helps cook very delicious and reduce cooking time. In addition, cast iron pans, if properly seasoning, will have a non-toxic natural anti-stick layer, which other non-stick pans today cannot do.
In fact, unlike cast iron pans, non-stick pans hold toxic chemicals. Waterproof coatings that keeping food from sticking to the pan contain PFCs (perfluorocarbons) – a chemical related to liver disease, cancer, body development cycle, early menopause (according to research in the journal Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2011).
PFCs can be released as gas from a non-stick pan when the pan is heated at high temperatures. Similarly, they easily cling to food, penetrating the body when the pan surface is scratched.
As you might know, Iron deficiency is a worldwide phenomenon, especially for women. Cast iron pots/pans do not absorb chemicals, and they also add a small amount of iron to your food.
Tips to clean cast iron cookware sets in a snap
When your thick, smooth, shiny and non-stick cast-iron pan surface is covered with rust, it’s time to know you need to replace a new pan now. However, this will not happen and you do not need to spend a lot of money on buying a new pan thanks to the following tip.
Preparing materials:
- 1/2 potato
- 1 little vegetable oil
- White salt (can be used with baking soda)
- Dishwashing soap
- Hot water
- A scrubber
- Dry towels
Instructions:
- Step 1: Soak the pan in salt
You should use crude salt if your pan has lots of rust stains. This will help get rid of the stubborn rust stains on the pan’s surface.
- Step 2: Cut the potato in half
You will use the potatoes to scrub your cast iron pan, so you should buy a very big potato and cut them in half.
- Step 3: Rub the potatoes on the surface of the pan
Then, take the potato plane to rub the cookware surface. The mixture of the salt and the potato’s resin will help get rid of stubborn rust effectively.
- Step 4: Scrub with a scrubber
Use hot water and a scrubber to remove residual rust. Then, wash and dry with a clean towel.
How to season your cast iron cookware sets
Seasoning cast iron cookware is the creation of a protective layer, external natural nonstick for the pan by using cooking oil. The oil layer has the ability to protect the pan from rust at the same time, helping the pan’s anti-stick ability be optimal.
There are two ways to season cast iron pans, based on the available cookware. The first and most optimal way is to use the oven. The second way is to use the cooker.
Seasoning by the oven
- Step 1: Wash the pan
For new pans, use warm water to rinse the pan. For used pans, you can use the mentioned above method to clean the cast-iron pan.
- Step 2: Dry cast iron pan
Dry the pan completely by boiling the pan on the stove or drying it in an oven to ensure the removal of moisture on the pan.
- Step 3: Cover the cast iron with oil
Add a small spoon of cooking oil to the pan, using a towel to apply the oil to the entire pan (both inside, outside and handle)
* Note: Use cooking oil with a fuming temperature not too high to ensure maximum oil adhesion to the pan surface to create the best natural anti-stick layer. The recommended cooking oils are soybean oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil.
- Step 4. Dry the pan in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour
Put the pan lying face up in the oven. Turn on the oven at 180 – 230 ° C for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour. Then turn off the oven, let the pan cool down in the oven.
* Note: High temperature helps cooking oil combine closely with cast iron to create a natural anti-stick layer. If the temperature you set is not hot enough, the oil will not stick closely with the pan, making the seasoning process unsuccessful (if this happens, you just need to rinse the pan and apply oil again).
Seasoning by the cooker
If you do not have an oven, do not worry because we can fully season cast iron cookware sets by cookers like the gas cooker, the electric cooker,…
After rinsing and drying the pan thoroughly, you add a small spoon of cooking oil to the pan, cover well oil on the whole pan bottom. Then cook the pan on the cooker until the pan is really hot. Until the oil is dry and smoke, you turn off the heat.
Conclusion
After this article, hope you will know how to clean cast iron cookware sets. Although it takes a little more effort to care, the cast iron cookware really conquered users.
Nowadays, it has become an indispensable part of any housewives’ kitchen.
