How to Clean a Cast Iron Grill Pan (4 Easy Ways)

Cast iron grill pan is an essential tool in every kitchen. But do you know how to clean a cast iron grill pan?

 There some ways to clean it. First, you can clean cast iron grill pan with soap and water. If you don’t like water on your pan when cleaning it then you can use salt alone. Another way of cleaning your pan is by the use of classic duo of soap and water or if you’re really tightening your belt then, boiling hot water is the best option for you.

There are lots of ways on how to properly clean and preserve your cast iron grill pan, check out the list of tips below and the directions on how to do it.

How to Clean a Cast Iron Grill Pan

4 Ways on How to Clean a Cast Iron Grill Pan

Here are some ways on how clean your cast iron grill pan:

1. Clean the Cast Iron Grill Pan with Salt and Water

Most chefs prefer to use kosher salt over the detergent soap when cleaning the seasoned surface of their cast iron grill pan. Kosher salt’s roughness helps removes the dirt or excess food particles that stuck on your pan.  Here are the steps on how to properly use salt and water when cleaning your cast iron grill pan.

  1. After cooking, let the pan to cool down a little bit enough to touch.
  2. Put a large amount of kosher salt over your pan.
  3. Make a paste-like texture by adding a small amount of hot water on your pan.
  4. With the use of sponge, thoroughly scrub the salt all over the pan making sure that all the dirt in the surface and sides are completely remove.
  5. Using hot water, rinse the pan to remove all the salt and dirt. Repeat if you see necessary.

2. Clean Cast Iron Grill Pan with Salt

Cleaning your cast iron grill pan with just salt is also a good decision. This method is somehow the same with the previous way mentioned above, but if you are not fun of using hot water, then this method must be taken into consideration.  You can follow the steps below on how you can clean your cast iron grill pan using salt.

  1. Get a large amount of kosher salt then sprinkle it on the top of your pan.
  2. Rub the salt all over the surface of the pan, you can use folded kitchen towel to rub the salt. You can also use tongs to grip the towel if you don’t like the grime will go all over your hands.
  3.  If necessary, you can add more salt and scrub the pan until the stuck-on food is completely remove.
  4. Grab a new kitchen towel to wipe down the dirt that stuck on your pan.
  5. Repeat the whole process when needed.

3. Clean Cast Iron Grill Pan with Hot Water and Soap

Since cast iron grill pan is not recommended to put in a dishwasher, the classic tandem of soap and water is another way to clean it. Even though most of the chefs don’t like to use soap and water when cleaning the cast iron grill pan. However, when done it right, it will also give an extreme result. Here are the steps on how to use hot water and soap when cleaning your cast iron grill pan.

  1. Put  a small amount of non-abrasive soap or detergent onto your grill pan.
  2. Scrub the pan with soap and small amount of hot water. When scrubbing, you can use a steel wool, sponge or any non-abrasive pad available in your house.
  3. Rinse the pan with hot water.
  4. With the use of non-abrasive pad or sponge, repeat scrubbing the pan with soap until no more stuck on food left.
  5. Rinse the pan to make sure that the dirt and soap is completely remove.
  6. Repeat all the steps if deemed necessary.

4. Clean Cast Iron Grill Pan with Boiling Water

If you don’t have any resources then using boiling water is best choice. This is the most affordable and the simplest way to clean your cast grill pan, however this method is highly effective only if your cast iron grill pan has elevated sides to contain the water. You can follow the steps below.

  1. Fill the cast iron grill pan with about 2 to 3 inches of water and then set it in the stove.
  2. With a short while of boiling, expect that the food particles will soon float towards the surface.
  3. With the use of spatula, scrape the ridges to remove any burnt grease or excess food that stuck on your pan.
  4. Let the cast iron grill pan to cool down for a few minutes, then throw the water along with the food particles the float straight down the drain.
  5. Use hot water to rinse the cast iron grill pan.
  6. Wipe the pan using the kitchen towel.
  7. Repeat the whole steps if needed.
How to Season a Cast Iron Grill Pan

How to Season a Cast Iron Grill Pan?

Another way to clean and preserve your grill pan is through seasoning it. Cast iron grill pan seasoning is a layer of carbonized oil that has been baked in the pan,  which is called polymerization.  This process will give the pan an extra layer on the top of it. As you cook with your cast grill pan, the oil gets thicker and thicker which enhance the flavor of your food making it tastier, with smoother and darker looking. Follow the steps on How to Season a Cast Iron Grill Pan listed below.

  1. Make sure the you clean your cast iron thoroughly.
  2. When you are done cleaning your cast grill iron pan, make sure the it is completely dry. Use paper towel to wipe the remaining water on it or you can put on the stove for a few minutes to ensure the dryness of the pan.
  3. Spray a very thin layer of oil onto your pan. Be careful with oil because we don’t want too much of it on our grill pan. If you accidentally add a lot of oil in your pan. You get some paper to wipe the excess oil.
  4.  Before putting your grill pan on the oven, put some aluminum foil on the rack of the oven, this will catch the oil that might drip from the pan.
  5.  Place your grill pan upside down and then set your oven at least 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Then bake it for about an hour.
  6. Turn off the heat but don’t get the pan out from the oven immediately, just leave it there allowing the skillet to cool down inside the over for about an hour.

How to Properly Care and Maintain a Cast Iron Grill Pan?

Whatever method or ways you use in cleaning your cast iron grill pan, taking precautions at all times is a great help to increase the lifespan of your grill pan.

Here are some tips on how to increase the lifespan of your cast iron grill pan.

  • After using your grill pan, make sure that you clean it immediately. It will help you remove the food particles in a short period of time.
  • Avoid leaving the pan with water because it will cause moderate to serious rusting.
  • Always make sure that the pan is fully dry before putting it away on your storage.
  • Do not let your hot cast pan be close to cold water. This will cause the pan to warp badly.
  • Always let your hot pan to cool down first before cleaning it. If you will use water to clean it, always use hot water.
  • When seasoning your pan, you should always wipe the extra oil to prevent the sticky coating and opt for solid seasoning whenever possible.
  • If your cast iron grill pan has a lid or comes with lid, never store your pan with its lid on. It will trap the moist of the air between the lid and pan which can cause rusting or worst damage it.
  • When you are cleaning your pan in the sink, get some paper towels and line it up on your sink. It will prevent the bottom your pan from possible scratches.
  •  When re- seasoning the grill pan, be sure the oven is as hot as possible.
  • Avoid using a steel wool on your cast iron grill pan unless otherwise it is highly needed.
  • Use non-abrasive soap, whenever you will use soap for cleaning your cast iron grill pan.

Conclusion

Foods that stuck on your pan are sometimes very stubborn to remove especially on the cast iron grill pan. You can choose some ways or methods on how to clean it. But whatever method you think that works best in cleaning your cast iron grill pan, it is important to know that the before and after care of the cooking tool is very essential to long-last in your kitchen. Maintaining the cleanliness of your cast iron grill pan will also help prevent the rust and the unnecessary dirt that might affect the taste of your food. Remember that everything will work at its best only if is properly cared and preserved.

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