The bottom of your cast iron casserole burned?
The problem is that it's not easy to remove!
Especially when you don't feel like scrubbing like crazy....
Considering the price of a Le Creuset cocotte, it would be a shame to damage it.
Fortunately, my cooking grandmother gave me her technique to make it easier to clean even an old cast iron casserole.
Here are 5 simple and effective tips for effortlessly cleaning a cast iron casserole. Watch:
In the event of a burnt or blackened background, cleaning can be very complicated.
Fortunately, there is a natural trick to make this job easier.
Put 2 tablespoons of soda crystals and fill the pot with hot water.
Leave to soak overnight.
The next day, scrub and rinse.
It also works to degrease your burnt pans.
Did you overcook your meal?
Part of the food is stuck to the bottom of the pan.
To recover it, sprinkle it with salt and let it act for a few moments.
Then, rub very gently without scratching the bottom of the pan, and rinse with lukewarm water.
Salt helps unclog stuck-on residue.
And it also works with baking soda.
If your casserole is very greasy after cooking, there is a natural solution to clean it.
Just rub it with half a lemon before rinsing off with lukewarm water.
If it is very oily, you can even leave a little lemon juice in the bottom for 30 minutes.
It "eats" grease and facilitates cleaning.
If you observe rust on your casserole, soak a ball of newspaper with white vinegar.
Then lightly dab the rust.
Then sprinkle the area with salt and leave for 5 minutes.
Rub with the vinegared newspaper to remove the last traces of rust.
Rinse with clean water.
If the rust is very encrusted, steel wool can be used (or Jex pad) to peel it off.
Attention:after this operation, it is necessary to oil the cast iron.
Why ? Quite simply to keep the cast iron in good condition and to preserve the non-stick side of the coating.
In addition, it reduces the risk of having rust again and it erases the stained parts.
Obviously, the easiest way to wash an enameled cast iron casserole dish is to use soap.
Especially if you only did simple cooking.
To do this, put a little hot water in the pan and add a good squirt of liquid soap.
Leave on for a few minutes before wiping with a soft sponge. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Warning ! Do not use an abrasive sponge . It would scratch the material which is very fragile.
A cast iron casserole is "indestructible" provided you maintain it well.
First, use wooden or silicone utensils . Above all, no metal that will scratch the surface.
If the cast iron is damaged, the life of the casserole is suspended.
Similarly, avoid abrasive sponges for regular cleaning. Prefer a soft cloth or sponge.
Beware of thermal shocks on the casserole, it is to be avoided. Always heat the pan gradually.
The answer is:YES!
As long as you don't abuse it and do too many washes.
On the other hand, cast iron can very well be put in the dishwasher from time to time.
Make sure to protect it from blows and other objects that could scratch it.
