Cast Iron..Epic Debate

[Nick Flores]

When I got married my wife hated three things about my bachelor life. Number one was ex-girlfriends, number two my well seasoned cast iron pans and number three was my never washed hand hammered steel wok.

I gave up the ex-girlfriends and moved my cast iron to the cabin but couldn't part with my wok. I keep it hidden so she doesn't wash it and use it when home alone. Married men will understand what to others may seem crazy.

I've always believed that cast iron cookware doesn't need to be washed with soap. I only use a bamboo scrubber to remove loose debris and then wipe a light coat of oil with a paper towel.

 

[Doc4]

I gave up the ex-girlfriends and moved my cast iron to the cabin but couldn't part with my wok. I keep it hidden so she doesn't wash it and use it when home alone. Married men will understand what to others may seem crazy.

 

[Acmemfg]

Well, my Griswolds (Lodge, Wagner, and deBuyer carbon steel for that matter) don’t see soap. Boiling tough residue that is chain-scrubby resistant really is all which is necessary. Speaking of all that, cast iron is great for roasting vegetables. These whiskey glazed carrots will go perfectly with tonight’s Flemish Carbonnades.

 

[alpster]

I have this old garage sale cast iron pan. I like to make videos dipping it in soapy water and squirting liquid detergent all over it and them placing it in the dishwasher. Post the video on a cooking message board and just watch. It's hours of fun.

 

[Esox]

View attachment 836246 View attachment 836247 I have been using cast iron cookware for probably more than a half century; my ancestors (with some of the same pans I use today) were rocking cast iron for many, many decades before me. Here are two of my older pieces, owned and used by my Mother and Grandmother. Odd how such simple items can foster such heated debates....Soap or no soap!!
Both of these skillets have seen dishwashing detergent...guaranteed. However they hold their own on the stove or in the oven without a worry. Seldom do they need more than a wiping out with a sponge. If required to scub out some cooked on stuff, I use one of those chain mail things...works great.
The use of soap (or not) has spawned spirited dialog worthy of topics pertaining to Government, constitutional, and Ford/Chevy issues. So, that being said..who’s a soap guy? Who is not? Why?

No soap. Scrape if needed and rinse/wipe. I have my great grandmothers cast iron pan and I know it hasnt seen soap in at least 40 years.

 

[danek]

My pans are well seasoned, but still get soap occasionally. Try starting a duck breast, bacon, or whatever in a cold pan (to render fat) and NOT leave schmutz in the pan. Soap isn't Satan, just dry over heat and bring a film of oil to smoking to replace seasoning lost due to soap.

 

[Tannhauser]

Clearly, some of you truly don't know how to care for cast iron.

 

[Acmemfg]

I have this old garage sale cast iron pan. I like to make videos dipping it in soapy water and squirting liquid detergent all over it and them placing it in the dishwasher. Post the video on a cooking message board and just watch. It's hours of fun.

You are truly my hero!!!

 

[Mick]

If the dishwasher don't get er done, grab the next best tool on the shelf

 

[troy]

I don't find soap necessary for cleaning, but if I bring a new (to me but actually old) pan home. I usually wash it with soap. Sometimes it gets a complete strip and re-seasoning depending on condition. I don't freak out if I catch my wife cleaning it with soap, as long as see remembers to heat it up to dry and add a little oil.

 

[chente12]

I don't use soap. If anything sticks to it, I use a wok brush to remove it along with some water. I do the same for my carbon steel woks.

 

[Mick]

Soap will not hurt any cookware.

Don t let a pan soak in soap as it might impart a soapy taste to the next food cooked in it.

 

[Fordfather]

If you ever saw the condition of pans in a restaurant kitchen you'd stop eating altogether.

Probably where the term "seasoned" comes from

 

[Esox]

Probably where the term "seasoned" comes from

A friend was a cook in a restaurant here and when they got a new cast iron pan in, they washed it thoroughly and dropped it in the deep fryer and left it there for the shift. When the shift was over, the pan came out seasoned and ready for use.

 

[danek]

A friend was a cook in a restaurant here and ... dropped it in the deep fryer and left it there for the shift.

"Excuse me waiter, but my french fries taste a little rusty."

 

[natenaaron]

I want this stove.

 

[Climb14er]

I've got very old Griswold, Wagner and Lodge cast iron, different shapes and sizes, Dutch ovens and pans. All are blackened by use, all get heat and oil after each use. On occasion will use light soap and because of the coating, soap has zero effect on finish. Just heat and oil and let cool. Cast iron and Old Le Creuset, French Blue Carbon steel skillets... there's nothing better!

 

[Esox]

"Excuse me waiter, but my french fries taste a little rusty."

"But sir, Iron is good for you" lol

 

[Mick]

I want this stove.

It's an old one. 30" DCS gas with cast iron burners. Been in our cabin for almost 20 years now. I've got a better photo of it somewhere... I'll keep looking. There's a "piece of iron" siting on the stove in this pic. Looks like a #12.

 

[Mick]

I want this stove.

Photo of it when we were putting the kitchen together... When it was new new