Posted by Occasionally, a stubborn buildup of food and oil on your cast iron griddle requires dry scrubbing. To remove these buildups, use food-based abrasives, such as cornmeal or coarse sea salt. Sprinkle the abrasive into the cookware and wipe it away with a paper towel. Follow up by rinsing the griddle with soap and water and applying a fresh coat of oil.
Contents
Cleaning a cast iron griddle
Cast iron griddles are a popular choice for home cooks, especially those who enjoy making hearty breakfasts. However, the griddle must be cleaned and re-seasoned after every use. Seasoning involves rubbing a layer of cooking oil into the surface of the pan. This process will make the griddle look new and will make it safe for use. Here are a few methods for cleaning a cast iron griddle.
First, pour hot water onto the griddle and wipe it down thoroughly. Then, make a paste out of kosher salt and vegetable oil. Rub this mixture into the griddle’s ridges with a nylon brush. After rinsing, dry it with absorbent cotton or linen dishcloth. After the griddle has dried, wipe it down with a paper towel or soft cloth to remove any residue.
The griddle’s surface is usually covered with a layer of rust. While this is a normal part of the cleaning process, removing rust and other particles is vital to keeping the griddle in good condition. After cleaning, re-seasoning should be done regularly to prevent rusting and preserve its dark glossy finish. You can also use a steel wool pad to remove stubborn bits of food and residue. Dry the surface thoroughly with a paper towel, after which you should place it on a rack.
Seasoning a cast iron griddle
You can improve the performance of your cast iron griddle by seasoning it. Generally speaking, seasoning your cookware is a must. Besides improving its overall performance, seasoned cookware will also require less scrubbing. Using harsh detergents and soaps on it may damage the seasoning. If you don’t want to face any problems with it, follow these simple steps. Keep in mind that the seasoning may need to be repeated if the surface becomes gray or if food sticks to the surface.
For rusty griddles, the first step is to remove the rust. First, wipe it with a paper towel to soak up excess grease. Then, use fine-grit steel wool to remove stubborn rust and marks. Don’t use soap to clean your cast iron cookware; it can weaken its surface. After cleaning, season it again with oil. It is better to use an old bath towel to clean it than soap.
Ensure that the seasoning is compatible with the type of food you are cooking. You should use unsaturated fats to cook your food, as they have a lower smoke point than saturated fats. If you don’t use vegetable oil, you can use grapeseed oil or avocado oil, as these have lower smoke points and can prevent oxidation. Lastly, avoid using foods high in acid, as these can break down the seasoning on your cast iron pan.
Cleaning stuck-on food from a cast iron griddle
If you’ve seasoned your cast iron griddle well, cleaning it should be simple. Sticky foods might require some elbow grease to remove. If you need to clean a griddle with stubborn staining, try using a non-metal scrub pad and salt. The salt will remove greasy residues without harming the seasoning. Once the griddle is clean and dry, use a paper towel to wipe the surface down.
After you’ve removed the food from your cast-iron griddle, place it back on the stovetop. Drizzle it with neutral-flavored cooking oil. Avoid using olive oil or bacon fat, as these can turn rancid. Then, fold up a small square of paper towels and wipe the pan’s surface with it. Then, use tongs to pick it up and remove any excess oil.
Baking soda is another option for cleaning stuck-on food on a cast iron griddle. This mild abrasive can soften stubborn food and remove odors. However, you should not scrub the pan too hard, as it will remove the seasoning. If you have already cleaned the pan with oil, you can skip this step. You can also use water to wipe off the remaining food.