Cast Iron Skillet Care
Every skilled cook knows that a cast iron skillet is an essential tool in the kitchen. That's why we offer a Cast Iron Skillet, our Cast Iron Soap and Cast Iron Oil, and a video tutorial to help you care for it well. Scroll to the end to watch!
One of the most important aspects of owning cast iron is proper maintenance and care. Properly maintained cast iron gets better and better each time you use it, and is durable enough to last your lifetime. We recommend a few simple steps for cleaning and seasoning your cast iron skillet.
Almost any cast iron skillet is beyond saving. Even if it is crusty, rusty, and covered in gunk, even if you forgot it in the sink filled with water overnight, even if you husband fried eggs in it without any oil (*ahem*), it can restored pretty easily. You'll need a few household items and our cast iron care products, like an abrasive dish pad, cotton cloth, and kosher salt. You'll also need plenty of elbow grease.
1. The first step for taking care of any cast iron skillet is proper cleaning. Start with warm water and a little bit of cast iron soap. Using a scrubber sponge or abrasive dish pad, apply a small amount of our Scotsman Co. cast iron soap and thoroughly scrub your skillet's entire cooking surface, making sure to remove any stuck-on food until the pan is completely clean.
2. After thoroughly rinsing the cast iron skillet, making sure that all of the soap has been removed, wipe dry with a lint-free cloth to remove excess water. Place your skillet in an oven preheated to 350º for 10 minutes to remove any moisture that may be trapped in the cast iron. After 10 minutes, use a pot holder to remove your skillet from the range and allow it to cool to room temperature.
3. Once the cast iron skillet has cooled, use a lint-free cloth to apply our cast iron oil to the front and back of the skillet. This will create a seal that will prevent moisture from being absorbed into the cast iron. Once you have applied the oil, place your cast iron skillet back in the oven at 350º for 1-2 hours. Once this is done, turn off the oven and allow your cast iron skillet to cool to room temperature inside the oven.
Once this process is complete, your restored cast iron skillet should be well seasoned and ready to use for everything from ribeyes to hash browns. Each time you use it, make sure to remove any stuck on bits and season the dry skillet with a bit of oil. You'll develop a smooth, non-stick surface on the inside that gets more durable each time you use it.
It is important to note the one exception to this is the Southern Lady's Cornbread Skillet. Every Southern Lady has a skillet designated for cornbread and cornbread only. This skillet should only ever be used for cornbread, despite your best intentions. In fact, to use it for any other reason is most likely a mortal sin. Hot cornbread should be turned out on a plate and the skillet left to cool. It should be wiped or rinsed, dried on a medium flame burner, thoroughly oiled and set back on the stove or in the oven waiting for the next pone and NEVER, EVER washed with soap.