The Cast-Iron Skillet Wars
Settling the dispute about washing iron skillets.
When I was a young father, raising two sons by myself, I did all my frying in a cast-iron skillet. I had instructed my sons that you should never wash an iron skillet as it looses its accumulated flavor. I demonstrated by cleaning it with salt.
One day I hired a sitter to mind the boys while I was away.
This young lady was washing the dishes when my five-year-old son David saw she was going to wash the iron skillet. He moved aggressively toward her and said,
“Do not wash that skillet!”.
The sitter ignored my son. Dave was mad and ready to fight when his older brother interfered, breaking them up just as the five-year-old was ready to strike.
When I came home Scott told me the story. I thanked David for his loyalty but told him that not everyone knew how to care for an iron skillet.
I asked Scott, now middle-aged, if he remembered the incident? He remembered it well. He said he still has the skillet.
“Well seasoned and I always clean with salt”.
I do not cook anymore; Now I have time to read and research. I know that salt only cleaning is a myth. There are several ways to do the job.
Instructions tell us after every time used to wipe the interior service while it is still warm to remove any food and oil. Rinse under hot running water and scrub with a non-metal brush or scrub pad.
Rinse well. Pour a light coating of vegetable oil and cover all surfaces with it. Never allow your skillet to rust.
I am not concerned if Scott uses just salt when cleaning the skillet.
He is an exceptional cook and frequently invites me over for meals. He is happy with the salt cure, so why should I interfere?