How to Care for Your Cast Iron Pots & Pans: Tips From Our Experts

How to Care for Your Cast Iron Pots & Pans: Tips From Our Experts

If you recently read up on the many different types of pan materials and are researching how long do pots and pans last, you might have decided to purchase cast iron pots and pans, then you're likely wondering how to care for them correctly. Whether your cast iron cookware is brand new, gently used, or has been sitting in your kitchen for a while, there are a few things you should know before you begin cooking with it. Cast iron cookware requires different care than other pots and pans and when cared for properly, it will last much longer too! To help you get started, the Bob's Red Mill experts have put together this beginner's guide on how to care for cast iron pots and pans. In this article, we'll discuss everything from cleaning cast iron to cooking with it. Let's get started!

Seasoning Your Cast Iron Pots and Pans

Cast iron cookware is not naturally a nonstick surface. Because of this, you'll want to add a seasoning coat to your pots and pans before using them. Seasoning your cast iron pans will make them non-stick and prevent food from adhering to the surface. Seasoning a pan is a bit different than seasoning your favorite food. Seasoning cookware is the process of applying multiple layers of oil onto the cast iron pot or pan and baking it into the skillet to create a naturally non-stick surface. Most would use vegetable oil or vegetable shortening for this, but any cooking oil with a high smoke point will do. Another option would be to use a seasoning spray. While some new cast iron cookware comes pre-seasoned, not all do. When purchasing cast iron pots and pans, you want to ensure that they are either pre-seasoned or seasoned yourself before the first use.

How to Store Cast Iron

Cast iron skillet on rustic wood table Knowing how to use a cast iron skillet is not enough, storing cast iron is also an essential part of properly caring for it. Well-stored cast iron pots and pans will last much longer than those simply placed in a cabinet. Where and how you store this kind of cookware matters. The number one rule of keeping cast iron is to make sure that it's completely dry before hanging or stacking it. Wet cast iron tends to rust quickly. Properly drying your pots and pans before putting them away will ensure that they remain rust-free and that the seasoning stays intact. Additionally, if you're storing your cast iron with several other pots and pans, we recommend slipping a paper towel into the pan before storing it. Not only will it help absorb any leftover moisture, but it will also protect the surface of your pan from the cookware it's being held with.

Maintaining Cast Iron

Now that you know how to season and store your cast iron properly, it's time to learn how to use it! Each time you use your cast iron pots and pans, it's crucial that you clean them immediately after. Cleaning cast iron with semi-warm is much easier than cleaning a pan with food baked into it.

How to Clean Cast Iron

  1. To clean your cast iron cookware, begin by rinsing with warm water and using a soft brush to remove any leftover food. If possible, we recommend skipping the dish soap and using water to wick the food away. But if you really need to, you can use mild dish soap.
  2. For tough to remove food bits, pour a bit of salt and oil onto a paper towel and scrub your pan in circular motions. The oil will help lift any leftover food and the salt will provide you with a bit of grit to scrub with.
  3. Continue scrubbing until your pan is clean and then rinse with water. After your pan has been rinsed, don't forget to dry it completely!
  4. Upon drying your cast iron pots and pans, coat the pan with a thin layer of oil and place over low heat for a few minutes. This will help reinforce the seasoning coat and create the ideal cooking surface.
  5. Once the coat of oil has been applied, store the cooled pan until you're ready to cook again.

Cast Iron Cooking Tips

Know Which Recipes to Cook

Pesto Shakshuka When using cast iron cookware, some recipes cook better than others. Because of this, you'll want to be mindful of what you first make in your pan. To ensure that your pots and pans are perfectly seasoned and remain that way, we recommend starting with foods like fried eggs and sauces. Recipes like this Pesto Shakshuka will help to season your cast iron skillet and, at the same time, create a delicious entree the entire family will enjoy!

Use Gentle Utensils

Using sharp utensils while cooking with cast iron pots and pans can damage your pans surface and seasoning layer. Instead of using metal utensils, try using soft cooking tools made of silicone, rubber and wood. This is especially crucial for new cookware, where the seasoning is still being built.

Avoid Soaking Your Pans

As we mentioned earlier, too much moisture and your cast iron pots and pans will rust instantly. When using cast iron cookware, be sure to wash it immediately after use and avoid soaking it at all costs.

Preparing New Cast Iron

Roasted Asian Style Vegetables with Quinoa If you purchased your cast iron cookware brand new, cleaning it before using it might not be your first thought. The truth is, once you find the right cast iron pan, no matter how great it is, you'll want to clean and season it before cooking with it. As an easy process, seasoning your cast iron pan will provide it with a protective oil-based coating that will help develop the non-stick features that make this type of pan so useful. Seasoning also helps protect your pan from rust and chemicals used in cooking sprays. After your cast iron pan has been cleaned and seasoned, the next step is to begin cooking with it! Recipes that include cooking with fat and oil are ideal for cast iron cookware, as they help reinforce the seasoning layer you've just applied. Seared meat, sauteed veggies and fried chicken are just a few of the many foods you can begin cooking on your cast iron pans. Each time you cook with an oil-based recipe, the layer of seasoning will build, allowing your pan to work better and better.

Cleaning Rusty or Damaged Cast Iron Cookware

If you purchase vintage cast iron cookware or have an item passed down to you, chances are the cookware wasn't cared for properly or hasn't been cared for, for some time. Whether your cast iron pan has been damaged or recently developed rust, you can probably fix it with a good cleaning. The good news is, cast iron is incredibly strong and because of this, with a little bit of effort, you can have your pots and pans looking new in no time. When restoring used cast iron, there are two main steps you'll want to take. First, you must remove all pre-existing layers of seasoning and check for any rust. By stripping your pan down and removing the old layers of seasoning, you can then build it back up from scratch. Secondly, if you notice that your cast iron pots and pans have rust on them, you must remove the rust before adding a new seasoning coat. Remove the rust on your cast iron by applying vinegar to the surface and letting it soak overnight. Next, begin to scrub it and ensure that all the rust is removed.

Caring for Your Cast Iron Seasoning Layer

You don't want to remove your seasoning coat each time. However, you do want to make sure you clean your cast iron pots and pans after cooking with them. So, how do you clean a cast iron cookware without removing the seasoning layer? It's easy. Contrary to popular belief, a seasoning coat is pretty hard to damage. Because seasoning coats are baked into cast iron pans, they aren't removed with a simple scrubbing. Additionally, they won't be washed away by soap and water either! If you want to remove the seasoning on cast iron cookware, you will either have to scrub your pots and pans with something rough like steel wool or a scrub brush, or it will need to be heated at an extremely high temperature for an extended time. Needless to say, it will require a bit more than simple scrubbing to remove your pots and pans seasoning layer. We hope that this beginner's guide to caring for cast iron has helped you better understand how to tend to your pots and pans. From applying a new seasoning layer to stripping an old one, the tips and tricks listed above will help ensure that your cast iron cookware remains in the top shop for all of your cooking needs. Know of a cast iron care tip that we didn't mention? We'd love to hear more about it! Let us know how you care for your cast iron cookware in the comments below. We wish you the best in all of your kitchen ventures from everyone at Bob's Red Mill!
Bob's Red Mill
July 16 2021

Comments

Bob's Red Mill Logo

Our Company

Customer Support

FAQ
Join our table

Get baking tips, exclusive offers and other things straight to your inbox.

Connect with Us
© 1978-2026 Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods
Terms of Use Privacy Policy Supply Chain Disclosure Cookie Notice Do not sell or share my info Manage Preferences