Will Baking Soda Clean Cast Iron?
If your cast iron is rusty, a nylon brush and some water may help remove it effectively. By creating a paste with these ingredients and using this technique, rust removal should usually occur quickly.
For heavily rusted cast iron, soak it in vinegar and baking soda to remove all rust. This may take some time, so repeat soaking sessions may be required until all rust has been eliminated.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an affordable and natural product found in most homes. A form of sodium bicarbonate with the chemical formula NaHCO3 for which is best known for its alkalizing effects; for centuries this compound has been utilized for cleaning, deodorizing, healing and soothing purposes. Most often employed as leavening agent in baked goods products and proven anti-fungal, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory benefits. Baking soda also can be found as a component of teeth whiteners as well as fabric softener to eliminate unpleasant odors.
Baking soda has multiple applications beyond its more conventional uses; one being cleaning cast iron cookware. Applying it with a brush will remove food that has become stuck to the surface, prevent rusting and help preserve seasoning – without needing to soak or wash with water which could corrode metal surfaces over time.
Baking soda can be used to quickly clean cast iron grit, just apply a thick layer and let it set for one hour before applying a brush to scrub clean any leftover food and residue build-up on your grates afterward. Rinse off using warm water before wiping dry. Repeat this process if any residue remains, as the baking soda should help dislodge and eliminate food debris on its own.
Kosher Salt
Although salt may not have the same abrasive qualities of baking soda, its coarse granules still provide sufficient traction to break up and remove food particles from a cast iron skillet. Chef Adjepong of Food Network’s Twitter account demonstrated how salt could provide this traction by covering his cast iron skillet generously with coarse kosher salt before using a clean kitchen towel or paper towel folded to protect his hands to work the salt into all nooks and crannies as well as between its ridges – using only his hands when necessary!
After cleaning is complete, any food debris should come off easily with some vigorous scrubbing. He then discards the salt and rinses the pan in hot water to eliminate any remaining food or residue before finally applying vegetable oil to reseason it.
While most cast iron dishes can be cleaned using only hot water, there may be times when burnt-on food remains stubbornly adhered. This is particularly true of older pans left unattended which may become susceptible to rusting over time.
To prevent rusting, keep cast iron away from acidic substances like vinegar or lemon juice which can discolor it. Furthermore, do not store them near an open flame oven as this can damage or warp its surface. Furthermore, it’s crucial that after cleaning them they be properly seasoned so the surface holds onto food without rusting or corrosion occurring.
Cornmeal
No matter the occasion or purpose, seasoning your cast iron skillet is key for maintaining its condition. Seasoning involves covering it in protective oil that helps prevent sticking, while most cooks agree soap can strip your pan of its natural seasoning and ruin its appearance. Instead, a non-abrasive scraper or bristled scrub brush should be used to gently scrape away caked-on food before wiping clean with paper towel afterwards.
Lard is one of the most popular oils used to coat cast iron skillets. High in fat content helps lard form an impregnable barrier on its surface while its antifungal properties also offer additional protection from fungal infections.
Butter can also be an effective coating solution for cast iron skillets. Like lard, butter contains lots of fat which not only protects it against rust but helps preserve its natural seasoning as well.
If you don’t have either lard or butter available, semolina, ground oats or breadcrumbs could provide similar results and should work perfectly in most recipes. These alternatives should provide similar textures similar to cornmeal for optimal results.
Dehydrator users can also make homemade cornmeal at home by dehydrating dried corn kernels. This method provides similar results to store-bought varieties while being much less costly; just ensure it’s stored in an environment free from mold and mildew as warm, damp conditions could result in mold or fungal growth.
Canola Oil
Have you seen photos online of old cast iron pieces with beautiful, even black hues and wondered how they came about? That answer lies within seasoning: an unsaturated cooking oil such as canola can be applied directly onto the surface to season the cast iron and prevent further rusting.
Season a new piece by applying a small amount of oil across its surface – either flaxseed oil, vegetable oils without an overwhelming flavor, or any neutral-flavor vegetable oils are suitable options. Once applied, use a paper towel to wipe across its entirety to spread out and spread out the oil into all crevices – this step allows the oils to bond with iron to form an impervious protective coating and coat every crevice in which there might be imperfections in its coating.
There are various other methods for cleaning cast iron pans, including using molasses as a scrubber pad or the “Ringer.” This tool is popularly used when restoring iron automotive and machine parts as it converts rust to more manageable coating that can then be easily brushed away by hand – though it can be messy and labor intensive.
As an alternative, try using a commercial oven cleaner spray containing lye. These can usually be found at most grocery stores and should say “lye-based” or “Easy Off Heavy Duty.” Lye will break up crud into an easily rinsed off goo that you will just have to scrub away with elbow grease – although some elbow grease is necessary too!
One alternative is to choose a natural oil with a high smoke point, like grapeseed oil which offers both neutral flavor and an affordable price point. Lard also boasts an extremely high smoke point while adding rich, umami notes to food dishes.
Olive Oil
Olive oil may be useful in initial seasoning cast iron cookware, but should not be used regularly due to its lower smoke point compared with other oils; thus when heated it can burn and leave behind sticky residue that’s difficult to remove. Instead, use vegetable or canola oil for future re-seasoning or use vegetable or canola oil for cooking in general.
Re-seasoning cast iron requires washing it with hot water and mild soap, along with using a steel wool pad to remove any stuck-on food debris. Rinse, drain and dry completely after each step – taking care not to over-scrub as this may strip away its protective layer of oil. Upon drying and being clean and dry again, coat a thin coating of vegetable oil over your clean pan in order to re-season it properly.
Use bacon grease to initial season your pan and create a slightly smoky flavor, perfect for creating succulent steak and burgers. However, remember that its scent will remain in your food so a more neutral oil may be best when cooking other meals.
To properly season a new cast iron pan, first use a paper towel to evenly apply a very light layer of vegetable oil, canola oil or melted shortening to all surfaces inside and outside of it – inside as well as out. Next, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F before placing your pan inside for one hour before turning it off and allowing it to cool in place for one more hour before unplugging it and cooling the pan completely in your kitchen.
