Tips for Caring for Non-Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

Don't put in the dishwasher

The abrasive dishwasher soap will scratch the cooking surface of the cookware. Washing the cast iron cookware in the dishwasher will remove the seasoning inside the pan as well as the build up on the outside. Both things is what keeps your cast iron cookware ready for frying, soups, and baking.

Hand wash with warm water and a soft cloth

Lightly wash out any food particles in your cast iron cookware with warm water with a mild detergent. Do not use any type of scratcher while washing. By using a scratcher of any kind, it will remove the oil seasoning and buildup on the outside.

Hand or stove top dry

I normally dry any of my cast iron cookware on the top of the stove. This prevents rusting from water sitting on the cast iron. It also prevents dried out spots.

Seasoning the cast iron cookware

At any point during the drying phase you notice spots that are no longer coated with oil, pour oil on a paper towel or cloth and wipe around the entire interior surface of the piece and don't remove the oil from the surface. Each time you cook in the cast iron piece, be sure to have enough oil or grease in your pan to prevent sticking. Wipe out loose food particles and check for a dull surface area when finished cooking. Reoil areas that still dull.

Bacon grease is the best seasoner of fixing your non-coated cast iron pieces. Fry a pound of bacon in your piece that is in need. If you have a lid in the same predicament, put the lid on the piece while the bacon is frying. Cook the bacon as you normally would.

Removing rust from your cast iron cookware

Gently wash out the piece until rust is gone. Rub oil on the interior of the piece as if you were seasoning the pan. If you see rust on the towel or cloth rewash and season again until no signs of rust when hand seasoning.

You can also put your cast iron in a self cleaning oven to burn off the rust during the cleaning process of your oven. You can use your grill by placing the rusted cast iron pieces in it while the fire is burning on the coals to remove the rust. Using a fire pit will also remove the rust and other crud if you are needing to reseason after misuse.