In the course of long-term use, reliable cast-iron pans are covered with a layer of soot, which gives the product far from the most aesthetic appearance. And before going to the store for new dishes, you can try to deal with the problem. Let’s consider several effective methods of how to clean a cast iron pan easily at home.
Internal soot
There are two reliable ways to clean a cast iron pan from the embers formed inside:
- Pour common salt or soda into the pan. Leave on medium heat and roast for three hours. After that, all the soot should be saved by itself. However, if this did not happen, rub a little with sand.
- Half of a standard package of baking soda should be poured into the pan and filled with water. Then you need to wait and let it boil for 30 minutes. After the time is up, drain the water and thoroughly clean the surface using a metal brush. This is done under a stream of cold water. If there is no soda at home, you can use salt and vinegar.
Secret method
There is another tool that our grandparents used at home. Thanks to it, you can tidy up any dishes, not just pans.
We need the following:
- Volumetric metal container. It can be a basin, a strong bucket or a decoction.
- It will be very good if you can get hold of caustic soda, or as it is also called, sodium hydroxide. Calcined soda and regular soda are also suitable. We need a medium pack. But be careful: these are strong meadows that require accuracy and caution. If you will use food, then we need double the volume.
- Take several packages of silicate stationery glue. Two or three bottles will be enough.
Now put cast-iron dishes in the container, add soda and glue, and then fill with water.
Then you need to turn on the gas and wait until the water starts to boil. When this happens, measure 30 minutes and after this time, turn off the gas and drain the water.
Importantly! When you start boiling, it is better to close the door to the kitchen, open the window wide and turn on the hood.
The plus of this method is that you don’t have to wipe everything with a special metal brush or mesh. Now you can remove the soot even with an ordinary sponge. After washing, you need to wipe everything dry, grease well with oil and fry for a while.
Clean the outside
If the cast iron pan already emits a bad smell or even emits soot during burning, then it is definitely time to clean it.
Roasting
One of the most popular methods is firing. It is especially popular among summer residents and owners of ovens equipped with pyrolytic cleaning . The method is based on the fact that fat deposits will burn out under the influence of high temperatures. And then it can be removed with a metal brush for dishes or another similar thing, returning the burnt cast-iron pan to its original appearance.
Those who have a pyrolysis oven probably know the acrid and unpleasant smell that quickly fills the entire room. Therefore, if you decide to try this method, immediately open all the windows and turn on the hood: there will be far from the most pleasant smell.
- Roast the old cast iron pans for 2 or 3 hours over the burner. After this “operation”, it will be much easier to scrape off all the soot, because all the grease will lose its adhesion to the surface.
- When roasting is finished, you need to thoroughly clean the surface with a metal brush. Do it over the sink.
Pay attention ! There is no need to burn dishes made of aluminum or with Teflon and ceramic coating . Aluminum can simply melt, and ceramics can crack. The Teflon layer will become unnecessary, because it will lose all non-stick properties.
Bonfire
There is another method that is quite simple if you have room for a campfire. You need to put the dishes in the fire and wait for some time until all the fat burns out. Then you can quickly remove the dirt using a metal brush.
Importantly! This cleaning method causes the cast iron pan to lose its entire protective layer. Because of this, all products will burn on it and, perhaps, rust will appear quickly. And that’s why you need to restore the cast-iron pan in the way that is indicated at the very bottom of the article.
Mechanical cleaning
If other methods do not suit you, and the old soot does not allow you to use your cast-iron cookware for its intended purpose, then you will have to clean it mechanically. This can be done with a few things.
Try using a small sandpaper or a reliable washing powder. Everything becomes much easier if you have special tools, for example, a drill or a sander.
Mechanical influence is necessary in any way. After roasting and other operations, the pan will still have to be cleaned. A special metal brush can be an excellent helper in this. It should be used very carefully, because it can leave scratches and other unattractive marks. But with careful use, you will be able to get rid of many years of soot.
You can buy a special nozzle on the drill. With such a brush you will lose much less time and effort.
Chemical means
Chemistry can be used only when cleaning the outer surface of the pan. This is due to the fact that the substances used will clog the pores of cast iron. You can’t just wash them off, they get into the food itself, cooked in the dishes. And in addition, they will easily destroy the protective layer, and as a result, the food will burn. But it is better to read the manufacturer’s instructions or get detailed information from a sales consultant. And be sure to use rubber gloves to protect your hands.
“Shumanom” (made in Israel) is a popular and effective tool that can be used to clean even the oldest dishes. You only need to use the product on the outside of the product and leave it on for an hour or two. After that, you will be able to quickly get rid of soot and disgusting fat. It is advisable to open the windows when working.
“Antinagar” is a fairly common name for means of the most diverse production. It is used like this:
- First, you need to heat the pan on the fire.
- Apply the purchased liquid and leave for a couple of hours.
- The effect, of course, is not the strongest, but with a few procedures you can restore the appearance of the dishes.
To wash the cast iron pan from fat, you can use products from the nearest supermarket.
What to do if the pan is rusty
Rust appears due to improper use of dishes. If cast iron cookware is not dried in time and placed in a place with high humidity, it can quickly form. To prevent this, do not leave food residues for a long time and wipe the dishes after any contact with water.
To get rid of rust, take coarse-grained sandpaper and walk over dry dishes.
Restoring the pan after cleaning
The pan must be restored after you have used any of the cleaning methods described above. This is necessary so that the products do not stick. Do the following:
- The dish should be heated over high heat.
- Take a brush and cover the surface with oil.
- Wait until it slowly cools in the air. Now just wash it under warm water, without using any products and wipe thoroughly with a towel.
Now you know how you can quickly clean your favorite cast iron pan from soot and fat. And thanks to good care, your dishes will serve you for a very long time.