With cast iron pans one of the most popular cooking supplies it is no wonder that they have become a bit beaten with age. Yet a bit of proper maintenance can preserve a cast iron pan that has had some abuse, and return it to a near perfect state. By following a few tips, you will be sure to save and preserve your cast iron pans, which can be a significant savings for your budget.
The majority of consumers are not sure how to take care of their cast iron pans, which is where the problems arise. The best way to clean these pans is not by using traditional dish soap like most dishes are, but rather using salt and oil to scrub the pan clean, rinsing and then allowing the pan to dry in a warm oven. However, for those occasions when a pan has a significant amount of rust on it, it is necessary to use some special cleaning methods to treat the cast iron pans.
Your first step when trying to remove the rust is always cleaning the pan as usual. You would then need to assess the actual condition of the pan and determine if you needed to continue cleaning as usual, or switch to using a form of very fine steel wool to aid in removing the rust. Most occasions will find a need to use some fine steel wool at least for a few minutes. It is critical though that once the rust is removed that the cast iron pan be once again cleaned, seasoned and properly dried.
With the proper maintenance given to the cast iron pans it is possible that they will last for several years without any problems and without damaging the protective coating that cast iron pans have. Using all of the best cleaning and maintenance methods will allow you to purchase several pans at yard sales cheaply as well which can make them extremely affordable to pick up. With a wide range of prices and the proper techniques to keep them in good shape it is possible to fit a good set of cast iron pans into any budget. This can allow anyone to enjoy cooking with the pans, and be thrilled with the results.
