How to clean a cauldron at home

Food cooked in a cauldron, especially on a bonfire, is wonderful. However, after enjoying the meal, it is necessary to wash the dishes. Although cast-iron cookware is durable, if not properly cared for, it can quickly rust and burn. If this happened, then it’s time to solve the problem of how to clean the cauldron at home most effectively and not to damage the coating.

The easiest way is to go to the store and buy a cast iron cleaner, but who is looking for easy solutions? Especially if there are a lot of simple and effective ways that include handy tools from the kitchen. It is about them that will be discussed in this article.

Glue and soda

It will help to clean the cauldron from the old layer of soot without damaging the coating of the dishes.

1. Fill the cauldron with water up to the brim.
2. Add 100-200 grams (depending on the size of the cast-iron cookware) of silicate glue and soda ash.
3. Stir the “mash”.
4. Bring to a boil and keep on fire for about an hour.
5. After cooling, wash the cast iron with liquid detergent.

After such a stew, the soot layer will easily fall behind the walls, and cleaning will not require effort.

Importantly! With this method, a lot of harmful fumes are released, so you need to work in gloves, protect your face and hair, open the windows, and turn on the hood.

Glue and laundry soap

It will not only clean the cauldron from dirt, but also return the shine to the coating both inside and outside.

1. Take 72 percent laundry soap, rub it on a grater.
2. Choose a metal container that will fit the entire cauldron. Fill it with water.
3. Mix household soap and glue in equal parts with water.
4. Lower the cast iron cookware to be cleaned and cook for several hours.
5. Cool down.

Now wash the cauldron. Use a soft washcloth on the inside, trying not to scratch the coating, and on the outside, you can safely clean the cast iron with a metal brush until it shines.

Vinegar, salt and soda

Rust and dried burnt food can be cleaned in the following way:

1. Pour vinegar to the top of the cauldron.
2. Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt. Stir until completely dissolved.
3. Put to heat on the fire.
4. When it boils, add 2 tablespoons of soda. Reduce the heat so that the mixture is steaming but not boiling.
5. The solution should boil completely, make sure that the cauldron does not start to burn.

This thermonuclear treatment will clean the cauldron well from the inside, all that remains is to wash it under running water.

Sand

This option is suitable if you need to clean the cauldron outdoors.

1. Collect sand in the dishes.
2. Put it on the fire for 5-6 hours. For example, you can leave it on the bonfire for the whole night.
3. Remove the sand, and the layers of soot will fall off with it.
4. Wash as usual.

Rules of care

After washing, the cauldrons are thoroughly wiped or dried in the oven. Stored in a dry place. Increased humidity is harmful to cast iron.

Regular piercing will help prolong the life of a cast-iron cauldron, and the food will burn less. To do this, pour salt into the dishes and heat over low heat, stirring, until the salt turns brown. Remove the salt and you are ready to cook.

If the protective layer of the cauldron is damaged, it is important to restore it, otherwise the problem with soot and rust will not make itself wait for a long time. At home, you will need egg white and vegetable oil for this.

1. Mix the egg white with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
2. Lime the cauldron with mass.
3. Heat in the oven for half an hour.

Importantly! A lot of smoke will be released in the process. Be sure to turn on the hood and open the windows for ventilation.

After cleaning, your cauldron will return to its original appearance and will once again delight you with delicious food.