How To Clean Cast Iron Skillet After Frying Chicken
If you’ve ever used a cast iron skillet to make some fried chicken, you know how amazing it makes the chicken taste. The natural oils in the iron leach into the chicken, which creates a rich and delicious surface. That is why people often say that cast iron skillets are great for frying chicken because they won’t react with acids or proteins like other pans do. However, after using your cast iron skillet to make that wonderful chicken, there might be some residue and excess fat left over inside of it. How do you get rid of that? Let us help you with a step-by-step guide on how to clean your cast iron skillet after frying chicken!
How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet After Frying Chicken
To clean your cast iron skillet after frying chicken, first let it sit undisturbed for at least 30 minutes. During this time, the excess fat and oil will naturally cool down. This will make it easier for you to remove the residue from your skillet. However, if you try to clean it too soon, you might scour the cast iron and risk it getting too hot or rusting. Most cast iron skillets are pre-seasoned, which means that they have been treated with oil to create a natural non-stick surface. However, as you continue to use your cast iron skillet, the oil will wear off and you will need to season it again.
Step 1: Let It Sit
Letting the cast iron skillet sit for about 30 minutes will give the oil inside of it time to cool down. This will make it easier for you to successfully clean the skillet.
Step 2: Scrape Out The Residue
After it has cooled, use a wooden spatula or a cloth to remove the residue from inside of the skillet. This will leave the skillet clean and ready for another use.
Step 3: Rinse And Dry Your Skillet
After you have removed all of the residue inside of the skillet, rinse it off with warm water. Avoid using soap unless necessary because it can ruin the non-stick surface on your skillet. Once the skillet has been rinsed, let it air dry.
Step 4: Season Your Skillet Again
If you have used your skillet for a long time and the oil has worn off, it will need to be seasoned again. To season a cast iron skillet, preheat it in the oven for one hour at 350 degrees. Once the skillet is hot, coat it with a thin layer of oil and let it cool. Your cast iron skillet can now be used for a variety of different dishes!
Conclusion
If you want to use cast iron skillets, you will need to clean them every time that you use them. To clean your cast iron skillet after frying chicken, let it sit, scrape off the residue, rinse, dry, and season it again. This will keep your skillet clean, ready to use, and tasty!
