Cast iron utensils are a staple in most households around the world. The best dishes that are cooked in your home have probably been stirred or fried in one of these cast iron pans. However, there are certain specific methods that you need to employ in your kitchen to keep your cast iron utensils in good shape. So let us debunk some of the myths when it comes to taking care of cast iron utensils and make sure it stays clean and seasoned properly for your next dish.
Seasoning
You need to season and re-season your cast iron pots and pans from time to time. The method is very simple and will only take few minutes of your time. Cover your pan with a smooth coating of oil. Spread it evenly over the surface of the utensil. Then heal it in the oven at 400 degrees temperature approximately. Then you have your cast iron utensil seasoned and ready to cook the next meal.
Your pan should not have any flavor
There is a prevalent belief that your non-stick utensils should not be washed with soap or detergents after it has been cooked in. This practice is as far from accurate as it can be. Your non-stick utensil should not have any flavour left in it from the last meal you cooked. It needs to clean after each use. Older generation people would be cautious about using soaps and detergents on their non-stick utensils. Even though their worry is not wrong but it is certainly misplaced in the 21st-century context. The strong and often damaging lye that was used in soaps decades ago is no longer used. So, using soap on your non-stick pan is safe and highly recommended.
How to clean your non-stick utensils
After you use your non-stick utensil, you should clean it with soap. However, sometimes you need to go an extra step to keep your non-stick clean. If something acidic like sour sauce, tomato sauce, or citrus has been cooked in the pan, cleaning it with just soap may not be enough. Take some salt and rub it well with a crumpled-up tin foil or aluminum foil. Scrape off any dried leftovers or scraps that might be left on the pan. Kosher salt might be a good option for this. Once most of the scraps come off the pan, wash it well with soap and water. Once your pan is clean, season it with oil. Put an oil coating over the surface of the pan and then heat it in the oven. This is how you re-season your non-stick pan and make it ready for your next dish.
You do not need to season your pan after each use. Doing it once in a while after cooking a heavy meal on it would be enough. However, you must clean it with soap after each use.
These are some of the basic steps that you need to follow to take care of your cast iron utensils. It is going to make every recipe you try on it come out tasting delicious and will ensure the longevity of your non-stick frying pan or other utensils. Happy cooking and cleaning!