1.Wash the pot
Once you cook in a pan (or if you just bought it), clean the pan with warm, slightly soapy water and a sponge. If you have some stubborn, charred debris, use the back of a sponge to scrape it off. If that doesn’t work, pour a few tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil into the pan, add a few tablespoons of kosher salt, and scrub the pan with paper towels. Salt is abrasive enough to remove stubborn food scraps, but not so hard that it damages the seasoning. After removing everything, rinse the pot with warm water and wash gently.
2.Dry thoroughly
Water is the worst enemy of cast iron, so be sure to dry the entire pot (not just the inside) thoroughly after cleaning. If left on top, the water can cause the pot to rust, so it must be wiped down with a rag or paper towel. To really make sure it’s dry, place the pan over a high heat to ensure evaporation.
3.Season with oil and heat
Once the pan is clean and dry, wipe the whole thing down with a small amount of oil, making sure it spreads throughout the entire interior of the pan. Do not use olive oil, which has a low smoke point and actually degrades when you cook with it in the pot. Instead, wipe the whole thing down with about a teaspoon of vegetable or canola oil, which have a higher smoke point. Once the pan is oiled, place over a high heat until warm and slightly smoking. You don’t want to skip this step, as unheated oil can become sticky and rancid.
4.Cool and store the pan
Once the cast iron pot has cooled, you can store it on the kitchen counter or stove, or you can store it in a cabinet. If you are stacking cast iron with other POTS and pans, place a paper towel inside the pot to protect the surface and remove moisture.
Post time: Aug-25-2022
