My husband goes nuts when he see me with the cast iron skillet and a dish cloth. That is a big no NO no NO no. We don't fight over money, just kitchen implements. :)
My mom and I did an experiment a few years ago, washing one cast iron skillet regularly, and only rinsing out/wiping out the other. We did it for a little over a year, and alternated uses on them. There was honestly zero difference in taste or slipperyness, until the seasoning regularly wore off on the washed one. Our conclusion was that if you are willing to reseason a cast iron pan once every 3 months or so, you can wash it all you want.
Ok, so just exactly how DO you care for a cast iron skillet? Is there something you need to do before you use it the 1st time? Before every use? and what do you do when you're done using it? Just wipe it down, no washing?
dburr - Just scrape/wipe off solids, re-oil and heat so it's relatively sterile. I also like to re-heat and oil just prior to use. Just to be on the safe side since I have kids.
mikezworld - cleaning it with water and especially with soap and water removes the oily coating (seasoning) which protects it from rusting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castironcookware
29 comments so far
thats right, you have to throw it out if you do!
2 years, 6 months ago by Bruuuce
that's a vital rule. good cast iron can be a hell of a heirloom to pass down
2 years, 6 months ago by corwin
Besides fried Chicken tastes better the next day!
2 years, 6 months ago by Bruuuce
what kind of a cretin would do such a thing?
2 years, 6 months ago by archer
Um. Me.
2 years, 6 months ago by ChiefTWiT
Leo, it's better to be a teflon man!
2 years, 6 months ago by decjr
If you ever find that you have accidentally washed the skillet you could always hide up on the roof.
2 years, 6 months ago by Pierce81
uhh oops
2 years, 6 months ago by Bruuuce
you could "reseason" it! go here leo and you might get "saved"
2 years, 6 months ago by Bruuuce
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/373112
2 years, 6 months ago by Bruuuce
Rub salt in the skillet, not the wound.
2 years, 6 months ago by CookieDuster
Cast Iron can be re-seasoned but it's like starting the process all over again. Best stuff ever for beach bonfire cooking.
2 years, 6 months ago by PodcastJunkie
So umm..when do you start divorce proceedings?
2 years, 6 months ago by Y83ross
Oh dear.
2 years, 6 months ago by merwolf01
Never get between a woman and her cast iron...
2 years, 6 months ago by kalidor
Dutch ovens are the same way. I really need to get a new one.
2 years, 6 months ago by krisguy
Consider le Crueset enameled cast iron for mothers day.
2 years, 6 months ago by MotivatedTurnip
Here at the B&B we don't wash omelet pans in soap and water, but Dutch Ovens can be cleaned quite nicely in a self cleaning oven
2 years, 6 months ago by buffalodavid
Agreed, I get seriously pissed when The Boss goes and washes the cast iron, *with soap*!! I'm the cast iron nazi in my family...
2 years, 6 months ago by randyhall
If I'll ever find my good knifes in the dishwasher, I'll might commit hara kiri.
2 years, 6 months ago by rincewind
Further proof that I don't belong near a kitchen - I have no idea why soap & water cleaning a cast iron anything is bad.
2 years, 6 months ago by kasnj
My husband goes nuts when he see me with the cast iron skillet and a dish cloth. That is a big no NO no NO no. We don't fight over money, just kitchen implements. :)
2 years, 6 months ago by computerwheelie
/agree Something I learned at a very young age, along with how to use it to properly cook blackened catfish.
2 years, 6 months ago by JimMoreno
My mom and I did an experiment a few years ago, washing one cast iron skillet regularly, and only rinsing out/wiping out the other. We did it for a little over a year, and alternated uses on them. There was honestly zero difference in taste or slipperyness, until the seasoning regularly wore off on the washed one. Our conclusion was that if you are willing to reseason a cast iron pan once every 3 months or so, you can wash it all you want.
2 years, 6 months ago by ClunkClunk
I'm allowed to wash the cast iron skillet, but only after a full training session on the proper procedure.
2 years, 6 months ago by solak
Ok, so just exactly how DO you care for a cast iron skillet? Is there something you need to do before you use it the 1st time? Before every use? and what do you do when you're done using it? Just wipe it down, no washing?
2 years, 6 months ago by dburr
dburr - Just scrape/wipe off solids, re-oil and heat so it's relatively sterile. I also like to re-heat and oil just prior to use. Just to be on the safe side since I have kids.
2 years, 6 months ago by PodcastJunkie
What exactly is so bad about cleaning a iron skillet?
2 years, 6 months ago by mikezworld
mikezworld - cleaning it with water and especially with soap and water removes the oily coating (seasoning) which protects it from rusting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castironcookware
2 years, 6 months ago by PodcastJunkie