Cleaning Cast Iron

[gus030]

First I'd like to say sorry I know this was probably posted a thousand times already.

But I just want to make sure I am doing things correctly.


I have been using a cast iron pan and cleaning as others have recommended with no soap, using only hot water, paper towel with salt and if really messing using a scotch bright dobie pad.

However even if I clean it for a while still when I wipe the bottom of the pan with a paper towel it, the towel is light brown or medium brown. Is this to be expected? Should the paper towell be spotless for it to be clean?

I am concerned because I am not using soap and I don't want to have bacteria in food that I am cooking. How clean do you need to get the cast iron pan and how can you tell it is cleaned?

Please help a cast iron newb out.

Thanks

 

[Wyogal]

You know, I try not to use soap on mine, but I will, on occasion, use a soapy scrubby pad. if it's been messed up, and has soaked or have to really scrub it, I dry it on a low burner, then add a light film of vegetable oil. Wipe with a paper towel. I have no worries about bacteria build up on the pan. The paper towel may have a light color on it afterwards.

 

[getoutamykitchen]

You know, I try not to use soap on mine, but I will, on occasion, use a soapy scrubby pad. if it's been messed up, and has soaked or have to really scrub it, I dry it on a low burner, then add a light film of vegetable oil. Wipe with a paper towel. I have no worries about bacteria build up on the pan. The paper towel may have a light color on it afterwards.

What Wyogal said...

 

[Selkie]

Me three....

 

[jennyema]

You know, I try not to use soap on mine, but I will, on occasion, use a soapy scrubby pad. if it's been messed up, and has soaked or have to really scrub it, I dry it on a low burner, then add a light film of vegetable oil. Wipe with a paper towel. I have no worries about bacteria build up on the pan. The paper towel may have a light color on it afterwards.

Exactly.

The heat from the burner will kill bacteria.