Even though cast iron skillets are not found in many kitchens and are considered outdoor cooking utensils, there are multiple benefits to using them for cooking indoors as well. They are great for frying and do not need to be replaced as much as the non-stick pans that most people use. They can also be used for baking, roasting, etc. and are available in many sizes to suit each person's individual needs.
But, if you do not take care of your skillets properly, you could find them rusting very soon. Here are a few tips for keeping your cast iron skillets clean and protected at all times:-
1. Firstly, you should realize that these skillets are usually covered by coatings when you purchase them. This coating usually is either of wax or plastic and it's important that you remove this coating before you start cooking as it isn't meant for consumption. The purpose of this wax or plastic coating is to ensure the skillet does not rust. You can get rid of it by rubbing steel wool over the skillet. After that, all you have to do is wash it with soap in hot water & then heat it over a stove until dry. It is also very important for you to condition your skillet before you start using it.
2. If your skillet has already been affected by rust you can simply clean it off with some steel wool as well. Using this method, almost all cast iron skillets can be reconditioned. After cleaning it using steel wool, you have to wash it as in step 1 and you will have a usable cast iron skillet with you. Again, don't forget to condition the skillet prior to use.
3. In order to condition the skillet, what you can do is place it over a hot flame and add some cooking oil to it. Let the oil heat on the skillet itself and then leave it to cool. After cooling, spread the oil over the skillet and then wipe off the oil that is left, if any. You should now have a properly conditioned skillet.
4. There are many ways in which you can clean a skillet. Perhaps the best way of cleaning it though does not involve soap. When you use soap, the oil on the skillet is removed. The oil reduces rusting of the cast iron and without it you are prone to the cast iron reacting with your food. Instead of soap, you can use salt for cleaning skillets. Kosher salt is very good for cleaning and it's relatively cheap as well.
5. Lastly, it is very important for you to remember to wash your skillet every time after use. Use some salt for cleaning along with water. Heat the skillet on a stove to dry it before storing it. There should be some residue of oil left on the cast iron skillet and that's good because it means you will be able to use the skillet next time without needing to go through the process of conditioning it again.
But, if you do not take care of your skillets properly, you could find them rusting very soon. Here are a few tips for keeping your cast iron skillets clean and protected at all times:-
1. Firstly, you should realize that these skillets are usually covered by coatings when you purchase them. This coating usually is either of wax or plastic and it's important that you remove this coating before you start cooking as it isn't meant for consumption. The purpose of this wax or plastic coating is to ensure the skillet does not rust. You can get rid of it by rubbing steel wool over the skillet. After that, all you have to do is wash it with soap in hot water & then heat it over a stove until dry. It is also very important for you to condition your skillet before you start using it.
2. If your skillet has already been affected by rust you can simply clean it off with some steel wool as well. Using this method, almost all cast iron skillets can be reconditioned. After cleaning it using steel wool, you have to wash it as in step 1 and you will have a usable cast iron skillet with you. Again, don't forget to condition the skillet prior to use.
3. In order to condition the skillet, what you can do is place it over a hot flame and add some cooking oil to it. Let the oil heat on the skillet itself and then leave it to cool. After cooling, spread the oil over the skillet and then wipe off the oil that is left, if any. You should now have a properly conditioned skillet.
4. There are many ways in which you can clean a skillet. Perhaps the best way of cleaning it though does not involve soap. When you use soap, the oil on the skillet is removed. The oil reduces rusting of the cast iron and without it you are prone to the cast iron reacting with your food. Instead of soap, you can use salt for cleaning skillets. Kosher salt is very good for cleaning and it's relatively cheap as well.
5. Lastly, it is very important for you to remember to wash your skillet every time after use. Use some salt for cleaning along with water. Heat the skillet on a stove to dry it before storing it. There should be some residue of oil left on the cast iron skillet and that's good because it means you will be able to use the skillet next time without needing to go through the process of conditioning it again.