Food and Drink Cooking with Cast Iron

**gblowfish** · 12-02-2014, 04:39 PM

I recently was gifted with a very nice large cast iron skillet and cast iron flat plate that is like a griddle on one side, and grooved on the other for searing steaks and such.

I've never cooked on cast iron before. I know it's cool that you can put the skillet in the oven to finish off foods and such. But what about care and cleaning?

I've read always wash by hand, hot water and a nylon bristle brush, don't scrub too hard. Don't use soap of any kind, never put in the dishwasher or submerge cast iron in water. Make sure to dry the cast iron completely immediately after washing, then put it back on the fire for a couple minutes to make sure all the water is out, then either wipe it down with olive oil, or spray with PAM or other cooking spray and wipe down to keep the seasoning in tact.

Also heard store with a paper towel around the item to absorb moisture.

Others have said mild soap is OK, as long as you dry the cast iron immediately after washing. Soap will kill the bacteria from cooking.

Any thoughts? What has your experience been? And what do you like to cook most in cast iron? Eggs and bacon, steaks, chicken? Etc?

12-02-2014, 04:39 PM	Topic Starter
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17636178 VARSITY	Cooking with Cast Iron I recently was gifted with a very nice large cast iron skillet and cast iron flat plate that is like a griddle on one side, and grooved on the other for searing steaks and such. I've never cooked on cast iron before. I know it's cool that you can put the skillet in the oven to finish off foods and such. But what about care and cleaning? I've read always wash by hand, hot water and a nylon bristle brush, don't scrub too hard. Don't use soap of any kind, never put in the dishwasher or submerge cast iron in water. Make sure to dry the cast iron completely immediately after washing, then put it back on the fire for a couple minutes to make sure all the water is out, then either wipe it down with olive oil, or spray with PAM or other cooking spray and wipe down to keep the seasoning in tact. Also heard store with a paper towel around the item to absorb moisture. Others have said mild soap is OK, as long as you dry the cast iron immediately after washing. Soap will kill the bacteria from cooking. Any thoughts? What has your experience been? And what do you like to cook most in cast iron? Eggs and bacon, steaks, chicken? Etc?
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