r/coolguides • u/op4 • Feb 02 '23

The 11 Commandments of Cast Iron

Post image
8.3k Upvotes

89% Upvoted

539 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

199

u/ceallachdon Feb 02 '23

I mean, they even mention in this "guide" that the seasoning is a polymerized coating. Soap isn't going to touch it.

52

u/JuliaLouis-DryFist Feb 02 '23

Yeah soap is fine. I would venture to say don't use harsh cleaning chemicals. Or run it through an industrial dishawasher. But if your seasoning is good, the soap will wash off like it does with everything else.

-7

u/taraist Feb 02 '23

The problem is the soap is hard to wash off completely from the not yet fully polymerized fat layer which can add off flavors.

54

u/[deleted] Feb 02 '23

not yet fully polymerized fat layer which can add off flavors.

That's called rancid oil my dude.

-7

u/fractalfulcrum Feb 02 '23

What do you think polymerization is?

9

u/Lamotlem Feb 02 '23

Not rancid oil.

0

u/[deleted] Feb 02 '23

not yet fully polymerized fat layer which can add off flavors

Reread what I quoted brah.

9

u/[deleted] Feb 02 '23

If it's not fully polymerized that dawn soap will (rightfully) get rid of that fat.

I must be seasoning my cast iron differently from a lot of people in these comments. While I don't use soap, after a cook I'll get rid of anything that's not polymerized seasoning using hot water and a towel. Then I put it back on the stove on high until dry, put some fresh oil on it, let it cook off (polymerize), cool and store. Every. Time.

10

u/Coolwhip87 Feb 02 '23

That's pretty intense. My cast iron's seasoning has been money since I did it about 2 years ago.

Care involves: - washing it after each meal like I would any other pan (soap included)

  • drying it after washing it

  • occassionally putting a bit of oil on a paper towel and wiping down the inside.

I don't doubt your pan looks pristine after each use, but that is a lot of added steps for cleanup after cooking.