2022.10.25

Take care of your cast iron

— How to clean and care for your kitchen's most loyal servant

Cast iron pans have long been a fixture in Swedish kitchens. An inherited cast iron pot with hundreds of slow cooking times is said to enhance the flavors of your dinners and is likely to last for generations. Provided you take care of and clean your pan, of course. APPLiA gives you the best housewife tricks for the purpose.

To remove dinner residue from the pan as quickly as possible, it is best to rinse it immediately in boiling water. If the pan is still hot, warm water and a dish brush are usually enough to clean it. If the dirt has dried in a little, you can pour a little salt into it before scrubbing. Do not use detergent, do not wash it in the dishwasher and avoid hard utensils that can scratch the surface.

Once the pan is free of food residue, let it dry on the stove and then grease your cast iron with cooking oil. Let the oil dry into the cast iron on the stove before the pan is ready to be put back in the cupboard. Burning cooking fat into the pan should be done regularly to extend its lifespan and can also save your cast iron if you accidentally wash it with dish soap.

Test for ammonia

Another tried and tested trick for removing really ingrained dirt from your cast iron is to use ammonia. Place the pan in a plastic bag and pour ammonia over it. Tie the bag and leave it outside for a few days. The ammonia will loosen up both dirt and any rust. Then scrub the pan clean with sandpaper or steel wool if necessary. Finally, clean your pan as normal and grease it thoroughly with cooking oil before using it again.

Gentle cleansing with sugar

To remove burnt-on food, both on cast iron and other cookware, you can use a sugar cube and a little water. Dip the sugar cube in a little water and rub the burnt-on food until it comes off. Gentle, effective and environmentally friendly!

Text: Ellenor Österberg