Bring your cast iron back to life with this simple cleaning hack

They are items found in most kitchens across the world, often used to cook up some of the most classic family recipes – from eggs for breakfast to a big steak for a family feast – but cast iron pots and pans can be a pain to clean.

While they are much sturdier and more reliable than flimsy frypans and saucepans, bits of food can get stuck to the bottom. However, with their ability to retain heat for longer, there are many benefits to be had from using the cooking utensils – so not only will your meal cook faster and with less energy, it will stay warm longer if you’re cooking in advance or serving straight from the pot or pan.

Amazingly, cooking in cast iron can also have health benefits. If your iron levels are low, cooking in them can actually help give your food an iron boost as the iron leeches out of the pan. With the many positives it’s no wonder they are a favourite household item and thankfully there is a way to clean them properly to avoid any annoyances.

First of all, pour some salt into your pan and set it over a high heat. Afterward, you should simply be able to wipe out the charred gunk with a cloth or some paper towel. The salt is abrasive enough to give the pan a good scrub without removing any of the seasoning.

Although it may be concerning to some, you can use a nylon scouring pad to help remove any stubborn chunks of food. Next, rinse the pan under some water to remove any excess gunk and salt. Once it’s washed, you need to make sure any moisture is removed to prevent rust. The best way to do that is, after drying with a tea towel, set it over a high heat to let any excess water evaporate. Once that’s done, it’s time to season.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celcius. Add some unsaturated cooking oil, like canola or vegetable, and rub it lightly all over. Place into the hot oven for around one hour to let the oil soak into the pan. Carefully remove the pan and let it cool slightly before buffing away any excess oil with a paper towel – you don’t want it to look greasy. And you’re done! If you take care of your cast iron pan, it will last you many years to come.

Over time you can test to see if your pan or pot has maintained its prime condition before going through the seasoning process once again. This can be done by heating a teaspoon of vegetable oil in the kitchen utensil for three minutes and then adding an egg. If the pan is well seasoned, it should not experience any major sticking and you should be left with a perfect egg to enjoy for breakfast.

As for storing, it it important to make sure the pots and pans are completely dry before packing the on top of each other to avoid any rust developing. To ensure no moisture occurs, a piece of paper towel can be placed into the kitchen appliance.

After it’s seasoned and cleaned it should be easy to remove any bits of burnt, stuck on food with paper towel, or for the more stubborn bits, carefully use a plastic spatula to scrape them off.