Why do you not use soap on cast iron?

So here you go, once and for all: Yes, you can use soap on cast iron. It's totally fine on enameled cast iron, and on plain cast iron, too. It's not going to destroy your seasoning. With enameled cast iron, you're done: Wash and dry.
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Can you use soap on a cast iron?

Contrary to popular belief, you can use a small amount of soap to clean cast iron cookware! Large amounts of soap can strip the seasoning off your pan, but you can easily re-season your pan as needed.
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Why do people not wash cast iron skillets?

"You can't clean cast-iron the same way you clean stainless steel," kitchen expert and author of "Kitchen Matters," Pamela Salzman says. "It's very porous," Rach adds. "That flavor will stay in there and literally bake into the pan."
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Should you wash cast iron after every use?

Cast iron skillets should be cleaned after each use. Some clean their cast iron skillets by wiping them with a little salt and a paper towel. Others rinse them with warm water, with or without a squirt of dishwashing liquid.
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Is Dawn safe for cast iron?

But stay away from Dawn. It will remove your seasoning and make it harder to keep your pans in good shape. So, bottom line, never use Dawn on your cast iron pan. You might think your getting your pan cleaner, but in fact, you're making it harder to create and maintain your seasoning.
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Is it Bad to Wash My Cast Iron Pan with Soap?



Do French not wash their pans?

Gabe is referring to the oft-repeated advice that one should never wash their cast iron pan because it will ruin the “seasoning,” or layer of polymerized oil that will coat a well cared-for pan, which gives it its non-stick qualities and, so the legend goes, improves the flavor. The problem? This advice is a myth.
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Do cast iron skillets grow bacteria?

Won't bacteria grow on your cookware and make you sick? Cast iron pans are sanitary if cared for properly. After each use, wipe or rinse out the skillet. Then, heat it on the stovetop or in the oven for three to five minutes to kill bacteria.
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Can you ruin a cast iron skillet?

Famously durable, these pans are often passed down through generations. With proper reseasoning care, years of frequent use can actually improve the pan's “seasoning”—its natural nonstick coating. But sadly, cast iron skillets can indeed break.
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Can you use olive oil on cast iron?

You can generally use whatever oil you prefer, as long as the cooking temperature is below the smoke point of the oil. Olive oil, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, and grapeseed oil are all great multipurpose cooking oils—you can use them for everything from sautéing to baking.
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How do you clean a cast iron skillet after use?

Clean cast-iron skillet after every use

Wipe interior surface of still-warm skillet with paper towels to remove any excess food and oil. Rinse under hot running water, scrubbing with nonmetal brush or nonabrasive scrub pad to remove any traces of food. (Use small amount of soap if you like; rinse well.)
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Can I use butter on cast iron?

Yes, you can cook with butter in your cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. Keep in mind that butter burns at temperatures above 350°F (177°C), so you shouldn't use high heat when you're frying foods with it. Either turn down the heat or substitute it with an oil that has a higher smoke point.
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What you should not cook in cast iron?

4 Things You Should Never Cook in Cast Iron:
  • Smelly foods. Garlic, peppers, some fish, stinky cheeses and more tend to leave aromatic memories with your pan that will turn up in the next couple of things you cook in it. ...
  • Eggs and other sticky things (for a while) ...
  • Delicate fish. ...
  • Acidic things—maybe.
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Why is my cast iron black when I wipe?

They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils. Using an oil with a low smoke point will carbonize at high temperatures and cause residue from the pores of your pan to rub off onto your food. While unappealing, they won't hurt you in such a small amount.
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Does salt ruin cast iron?

First, let's address any concerns: is salt bad for your pan? (The answer is no, but let's dive a little deeper.) Although salt is hard, it's still softer than cast iron, so it doesn't risk scratching the surface of your skillet.
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Why do cast iron pans have short handles?

Cast iron pans are known for being heavy-duty, so this pan's handle holder helps ease tension on your wrist by making it easier to grab with two hands.
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Should you wash frying pan after each use?

You should wash your frying pans after each use. Not doing so will allow for the buildup of bacteria. You can also harm the non-stick coating on the pan itself.
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Why does food taste better in cast iron?

The Bottom Line

One of the significant advantages of using cast iron skillets is that it retains the heat for a more extended period of time, so you can keep the food hot. Also, these are non-sticky and help infuse the flavor of your food.
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Does cast iron actually taste better?

I like pretty and easy-to-clean pots too, but cast iron is the healthiest cooking utensil and adds a depth of flavor that no other cookware can. My children can tell the difference between a chicken cutlet pan-fried with olive oil in a well-seasoned cast iron pan and the same chicken prepared in any other cookware.
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Why do French chefs use copper pans?

Because copper cookware warms quickly and cools down fast, giving you unparalleled control over your food's temperature as you cook. This means that you can quickly stop a sauce from scorching or reach that exact consistency that you need.
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Can you use dish soap on cast?

Essentially, the molecules in the fat are cross-linking with the cast iron. This forms a hard layer, one that isn't easily broken or stripped away, not even with dish soap. So, as long as the pan is seasoned correctly, dish soap won't hurt it.
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Can you cook eggs in cast iron?

With a few simple tricks to choose the right oil and get your pan to that just-right temperature, you'll get eggs with crispy edges and runny yolks every time (if that's your jam). But don't worry, cast iron makes the perfect egg no matter how you like them done!
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Can I use Pam on cast iron?

Do not try to use nonstick sprays like Pam to season your cast iron skillet, as they contain other ingredients that aren't good for your pan.
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What is the first thing you do on a cast iron skillet?

How to Season a New Cast Iron Pan
  1. Step 1: Wash and Dry Your Pan. ...
  2. Step 2: Rub It All Over With Oil and Buff Well. ...
  3. Step 3: Heat It in the Oven. ...
  4. Step 4: Repeat 3 to 4 Times.
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