Cleaning an Iron Skillet

RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By Buz Moxon (Guest Post) (08/15/2008) Wow! I just received a iron skillet and it is a mess. However, as I read the above I am confused. I have read that you should not clean the skillet by boiling water in it 'cause it unseasons it. I have read that you should never use brillow, steel wool or anything that abrasive. I have heard that the use of course salt, like kosher salt or probably sea salt is the best way to clean because it does not unseason the skillet. The oven cleaning is only for very badly abused skillets and should be allowed to cool to cold before being taken out of the oven. Now remember I am just starting to use an old skillet which was passed down to me by my late mother-in-law. The Lord only knows how long she had it. I think I will use the corse salt method and a little olive oil after I dry the old pan. Have a good day. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By Fran Marie (Guest Post) (07/11/2005) If you have a self-cleaning oven put the pan in for the whole cycle. It will burn off anything in it. All you will be left with is ashes. Rinse off, dry well and season with oil. Preferably olive. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By Cindy Lou-Houston (Guest Post) (06/27/2005) The best way to clean your cast iron skillet, is to put tap water in it and put it back on the burner. Once the water starts to heat , just use a spatula or a like utensil to start scrapping off the grease and food...it works like a charm...drain and rinse...drying with a good terry cloth towel, Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By Allena (Guest Post) (06/25/2005) After you have your iron skillet seasoned and ready to use, always heat the skillet BEFORE putting in the grease, butter, or whatever you are using to fry with, and stuff doesn't stick to the skillet. I make my gravies in my iron skillet and as soon as I take the gravy out, I clean the skillet with hot water and a nylon scrubber while it is still hot, and dry it right away, and it is very easy to clean. They say that cooking in an iron skillet is healthy, cause you get a little iron in your diet, don't know if it is true, but it won't hurt. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By Donna (Guest Post) (06/24/2005) The next time you have a live fire in a barbecue or fireplace, carefully put the pan directly in the flames upside down so the fire hits the crusted-on food. The food will burn off. Don't forget to use an oven mitt on your hand when taking the pan off the coals. Once the pan is cool, rub the pan, inside and out, throroughly with a vegetable oil, and bake it in a warm oven for about a half hour to season. Let it cool in the oven. Once the pan is seasoned, wash it after every use with only water, using an UNSOAPED scrubber such as plain steel wool to clean it. Dry the pan thoroughly; hang it to dry if possible. Use a paper towel to rub a thin layer of vegetable oil over the dry pan after every use, and repeat the full seasoning with baking every six months, or sooner if needed. When the pan is seasoned well, very little food will stick to it, and only a little bit of oil is needed to cook. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By siris. (Guest Post) (06/24/2005) I wash with the dishes and rinse well.(No dishwasher though). Every few years when it gets too heavy I put it in a bonfire to burn off the outside coating,and season by rubbing with fat and placing in the oven a while. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By (Guest Post) (06/24/2005) A little Pam, or other no-stick spray works wonders before heating....It sounds like your fire is too high....Be very patient with eggs. Personally, I LOVE eggs...I think that they may be my favorite food item...Lower your temp to medium and you will be happier. Also...I'm afraid that I NEVER use Brillo or SOS pads on iron skillet!!! Mild detergent and a plastic scrubber, and then season a few times after using a new iron skillet, or an ill used one. Season by rubbing a bit of oil in the skillet and baking in the oven for an hour or so...but it may take a few times. I've just been using Pam to cook (use oil, also if needed for recipe) and I don't think I've used anything but warm water and a nylon scrubby for years. I asked for an iorn skillet for a wedding gift...35 years ago!!! I know what a real blessing they can be...ever tried "REAL" fried chicken in one????? Coat chicken in just flour, or add a little paprika and poultry sealoning in the mix, in a plastic bag, and shake chicken and fry in iron skillet with three or four tablespoons of shortening and an equal amount real butter (medium heat!!!), brown, lower temp. cover for fifteen, or so minutes, and uncover and crisp on medium for a few minutes on each side...use the drippings for gravy for mashed potatoes and, maybe a few biscuits. Hope this helps. PS...I have a recipe for "killer" gravey, too!!! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By Annette (Guest Post) (06/24/2005) after you cook something and it leaves a mess in the skillet, just fill about half full of water and boil for a few minutes, then wash it and use an sos pad, always set it on the burner to dry, then spray a little cooking oil and wife it with a paper towel do this every time you use your skillet and you will see the difference. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By Rev Alex (Guest Post) (06/24/2005) Having used iron skillets for many years, maybe this will help -- I use soap and/or Brillo pads for scrubbing. When clean, rinse well, and dry. Then coat inside with Crisco or other shortening and put your pan in a warm oven for 15 or 20 mins. This will "season" the pan and your eggs won't stick. It seasons better the longer you have it, so do it every time. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Cleaning an Iron Skillet Post By terry (Guest Post) (06/24/2005) you can use soap as long as you reseason skillet afterwards i use a scratchy pad, works great to reseason just coat in oil and then bake in oven about an hour good luck Report Spam or Abuse