How To Clean and Season Cast Iron

Here's How:

1. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection while cleaning cast iron since the methods require using caustic chemicals.
2. Begin by spraying the pan with oven cleaner and putting it in a plastic bag.
3. After a day or two, take it out of the bag and scrub it down with a brass brush.
4. If all the grease doesn't loosen up right away, repeat the process concentrating cleaner on stubborn spots.
5. If you have several dirty items, soak them in a solution of one and a half gallons of water to one can of lye mixed in a plastic container.
6. Allow them to soak for about five days, then remove the pieces and use the same brass brush method to scrub them clean.
7. Removing mild rust should be done with a fine wire wheel on an electric drill.
8. Crusted rust can be dissolved by soaking the piece in a 50 percent solution of white vinegar and water for a few hours.
9. Once the pan's clean, begin the seasoning process by warming it in the oven for a few minutes then applying a little shortenting, vegetable cooking spray, lard or bacon fat.
10. Put the skillet back into a 225 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove and wipe it almost dry to eliminate any pooled grease.
11. Place the pan in the oven for another half hour or so, completing the initial seasoning.
12. The seasoning process will continue with use, especially if you use it to cook fatty foods (bacon, sausage, fried foods, etc.) the first few times it hits the stove.
13. To clean after cooking, boil hot water in the pan. Let it soak for several minutes and then wipe dry with a paper towel.
14. Reheat the pan and apply just enough grease to wet the surface before storing.

Tips:

1. Use the methods above only for cleaning iron.
2. Don't soak pans in a vinegar solution more than overnight without checking them because the solution will eventually eat the iron.
3. After cooking, do not use detergent or scouring pads to clean a cast iron pan since this will destroy the seasoning.

What You Need:

• Rubber gloves
• Eye protection
• Spray oven cleaner
• Large plastic zip bag
• Brass brush