Directions: |
Directions:1. RESPECT IT: You are its steward, and it's your duty to pass it on to the next generation.
2. USE IT OFTEN: The more you use your cast-iron skillet, the better it will work, and the more you'll care for it.
3. SAVE THIS PAGE: Tear it out and tape it to the inside of your pantry door.
4. CLEAN CAST IRON AFTER EACH USE: Wash with hot water while pan is still warm.
5. DON'T USE SOAP. EVER!: And no matter what, don't ever put cast iron in the dishwasher.
6. SCOUR SMARTLY: Use coarse salt like Morton's Kosher Salt for scouring stubborn bits of food without damaging the seasoning. Use a paper towel to rub the salt into the bottom and around the inside edges of the pan. A stiff bristle brush also works well. Still sticking? Loosen residue such as caramel by boiling water in the pan.
7. DRY IT IMMEDIATELY: Wipe dry after washing and heat over low flame for 2 minutes to open the pores of the iron. Use a paper towel and tongs to apply an even, light film of vegetable oil or flaxseed oil on the inside of the pan.
8. STORE IT IN A COOL, DRY PLACE: for pans with lids, add a paper towel wad, and keep ajar to let air flow.
9. UNDERSTAND "SEASONING": For cast-iron cookware, this is the polymerization of fat bonded to the surface of the pan. In layman's terms, seasoning is the flossy sheen that gives cast-iron cookware its nonstick properties and keeps it from rusting. Protect and maintain the seasoning and you skillet will last forever. See below to learn how.
10. BUST THE RUST: Rust cast iron with steel wool. For the seriously stubborn rust on old. neglected pans, take the cast iron to a machine shop and ask someone to pressure blast it with air or sand. Then start the seasoning process to build a protective coat.
11. RE-SEASON IT: Here's the best way to rebuild the seasoning and bring your skillet back to life.
*Wash Vigorously- After busting the rust, wash cast iron with warm and- just this once-soapy water. Dry well.
*Rub With Vegetable Oil- Use a paper towel to rub oil inside, outside, and on skillet handle. Wipe away any excess.
*Bake at 400º for an Hour- Place upside down on oven rack;line bottom rack with foil. Bake. Repeat oiling and baking until seasoned. |
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