Cleaning Cast Iron Skillet

Cleaning a cast iron skillet can seem quite difficult but it is actually quite easy and if you take good care of it, it will last you many life times.

I received my first cast iron skillet as a wedding gift. I thought it would be great because it was not seasoned and I was so excited to season it myself. I followed the instructions and and failed miserably. For some reason it came out sticky and stayed sticky. No matter what I did I couldn't get the sticky substance off. I got fed up and gave it away and stayed away from those pans for a very long time.

About 8 years later I went to the Martha Stewart Show and they allowed the audience to ask questions. I asked what I did wrong with seasoning my cast iron skillet and she said why would you ever buy one not seasoned. That wasn't exactly the answer I expected but I realized then I need to go and get a seasoned one immediately.

I received one as a gift last year and absolutely love it. It makes the best burgers and steaks. If you don't have one you should get one. They are inexpensive and perfect pan for heavy duty cooking.

Here are my tips on cleaving them. I watched an episode on Martha Stewart of a man showing how to clean them and now I am no longer afraid. I used to clean it with kosher salt because I was afraid soap would ruin it.  Well he used soap on his and he makes these pans for a living so I figured he must know.

Step 1. After you soaked the pan with super hot water take a brush and a little soap and scrub off all the bits stuck on the pan and rinse with hot water. 



Don't be shy it is a very sturdy pan and can handle quite a bit. 

Step 2. Rinse all the soap and bits off with very hot water.

Step 3. Dry it immediately and thoroughly. Water will rust your skillet so it is essential to dry it.

Step 4. Add a little vegetable oil in the pan to season it. It is important to season it after every wash so it stays nice for you for years to come.

Step 5. Use your paper towel and rub the oil into the pan thoroughly. It seems strange and once rub in all the way it is not sticky and ready to use for your next use.

Voila!!! 

Cleaning Microwave

I don't think anyone likes cleaning a microwave. Let's face I don't like cleaning anything. If you are as busy as me you don't get the chance to wipe it down every time you use it and it starts to get splattered and smell like the food, then this is the best trick for you. I bought a book a long time ago called the Queen of Clean and learned a very cool trick to cleaning my microwave easily and it smells wonderful when I am done.

1st cut a lemon in half and stick it in about 2 cups of water in a microwave safe bowl. I added another old piece of lemon just because I was about to throw it out anyway. 2 nd put the bowl of water and lemons in the microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes. Sometimes 3 minutes is just enough depending on how dirty the microwave was. If it is very moist inside and all the stains look wet then you are done. If not do it for another 3 minutes. 3 rd remove the bowl and plate and spray with a mild cleaner. You don't need the cleaner but makes it just that much easier to wipe. I have used cleaner on the tougher messes but most of the time you don't even need a cleaner. 4 th wipe with a sponge and clean your plate and it should turn out sparkling and smelling like lemons or no scent at all.

Try it and let me know what you think.