Peculiarities of cleaning a frying pan from carbon deposits

A cast iron frying pan is a pretty functional thing in the kitchen. It is a favorite of many housewives, as this type of coating prevents food from burning when frying. This type of cookware is used not only at home, but is also actively used by famous chefs in popular restaurants. Cast iron has very low thermal conductivity and therefore containers made from it take a long time to heat up, but at the same time they retain heat for a long time.

They are durable and practical. The disadvantages of using such cookware include: its heavy weight, possible splitting upon impact, appearance of rust if used incorrectly. There is also another disadvantage - the appearance of a thick layer of carbon or black plaque on the outer side that comes into contact with the stove. Many housewives do not know how to clean household utensils from this type of dirt and therefore it is easier for them to throw it away. But this is very wasteful, because there are many ways to return an old frying pan to its original appearance.

Methods for cleaning a cast iron frying pan from black carbon deposits at home

Cast iron products are quite durable and practical, but they are also not cheap. So is such extravagance worth it?

There are several types of cast iron pans - these are dishes with a coating (special enamel for this type of metal) and without a coating. There are also types with a non-stick coating, but they are almost never produced and are quite rare. Most cast iron containers are heat-treated at the factory with special machine oil using high temperatures, which prevent rust from forming on the surface.

How to clean a cast iron frying pan from long-term carbon deposits at home? This question is asked by many housewives, for whom it is very important that this type of cookware continues to serve them in the kitchen.

Mechanical cleaning of cast iron cookware

The outside of a cast iron frying pan is constantly exposed to flame or other thermal effects, and black carbon deposits gradually form, which even proven detergents cannot handle. But what are the simple ways to remove such contamination and how to clean a cast iron frying pan from a thick layer of carbon deposits?

You can use the following means.

• Mechanical cleaning.
• Thermal cleaning of dishes.
• Cleaning with chemicals.
• People's councils.
• Other ways to remove carbon deposits.

To apply mechanical action on the dishes, it is necessary to apply sufficient force, so male support is needed. Using a metal brush, sandpaper - this requires a strong impact of these objects on the outer surface of the sooty frying pan.

Using a metal brush

Cast iron cookware is quite durable and is not afraid of any mechanical impact, so using a metal brush to remove a layer of carbon deposits from the outside of this kitchenware will not cause any noticeable harm to it.

How to properly clean a frying pan from a thick black layer of soot?

• To do this, you need to go outside or onto the balcony.
• Put on protective equipment on your hands and face.
• Prepare a drill and put a metal brush on it.
• If possible, secure the pan in a vice.
• Apply mechanical action to the heavily soiled side.
• After treatment, wash the surface of the treated item with warm water.

Sanding

The preparatory work for using sandpaper to clean carbon deposits on the surface of kitchenware should be the same as for removing dirt with a metal brush. To do this, put on protection and, having fixed the object to be processed, use sandpaper with a coarse or fine grain.

In addition to mechanical action to remove carbon deposits, you can also use a brush made of metal wire. This method may cause scratches, but they do not threaten significant damage to the surface of the frying pan.

Application of thermal cleaning

The following cleaning methods are fire hazardous and must therefore be used outdoors with all safety precautions required for this type of treatment.

Thermal cleaning includes: firing over a fire or coals, as well as calcination in an oven.

Open fire firing

This method results in the softening of the carbon deposits and subsequent ability to easily remove them using brushes.

Firing should be done on a fire, coals, with a blowtorch or on gas. Heat the cookware until the layer of carbon deposits begins to separate from the walls of the cast iron cookware.

Calcination in the oven

This method is also suitable for regular cast iron pans and does not require plastic handles. To do this, place the pan in the oven, turning it upside down and heating it at a high temperature.

Cleaning cast iron cookware with chemicals

If the housewife does not have the time and desire to clean using such unsafe methods, she can use purchased chemicals. This method is not complicated. But it also requires the use of hand protection, namely putting on rubber gloves and airing the room after finishing the treatment.

These products have the following properties.

• The presence of alkaline acids, which are designed to break down the carbon layer.
• Possibility of spraying onto the surface of the object being treated.
• Some products do not contain a pungent odor.

But there is also a disadvantage to this effect - the financial costs of purchasing such a drug.

Application of folk methods

How to clean a cast iron frying pan from long-term carbon deposits at home? For a long time, housewives have tried to clean their dirty dishes using affordable and inexpensive methods. Different means were used for different levels of plaque. Some were quite effective, others were not.

Cleaning with activated carbon

To use this method, you need to crush activated carbon tablets in any way. Sprinkle them on the surface that needs to be cleaned, leave the carbon there for a while, and then wash it off with water and detergents.

Treatment with washing powder

Another gentle process for treating kitchen items with dirt is to treat them with regular, inexpensive washing powder. To do this, you can apply it to the dirty surface and rinse with water or boil it in a large container. To do this, mix a few tablespoons of this product and sunflower oil, put it on the fire and boil for 5-10 minutes.

Uses of baking soda

With this method, you also need to place the object being treated in a container with water and boil it for several minutes with the addition of about 100-150 grams of soda. Continue cleaning with water and detergent.

After this, wipe these components with a hard brush or sponge and rinse with water. Such methods are used when kitchenware is not heavily soiled.

Use vinegar essence

This method does not require heat treatment. You need to sprinkle a small amount of soda on the contaminated area and dilute it with vinegar. A reaction will occur, which will be accompanied by hissing.

Other Methods for Cleaning Stains on a Cast Iron Frying Pan

It is possible to process this cookware in Coca-Cola, citric acid with the addition of vinegar. The cookware can be filled with this mixture and left for a while or boiled. It is also possible to boil a cast iron frying pan in a solution of table salt.

Preparation of adhesive solution

To do this, mix 150 grams of PVA glue + 1 piece of household soap, pre-crushed. Place all ingredients in a large container and boil. Place the cleaning item there and keep on low heat for about two hours.

Application of boiling

When boiling, you can use a large container with water, where the object being processed will fit freely. You can prepare the following solution: 1 piece of laundry soap + 1 glass of soda ash + 1 bottle of silicate glue. Grate the soap on a coarse grater or grind it in another way.

Preventive measures

After cleaning has been carried out using any chosen method, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance to prevent new plaque formation.

• Wash the frying pan every time after cooking.
• Use regular dishwashing detergents, but do not use abrasive ones for now.
• Wash dishes not only from the inside, but also from the outside.
• Wait until the frying item cools down.

Proper care of cast iron items

Cast iron cookware produces very tasty and healthy dishes, so it is important to monitor the condition of the frying pan used for cooking. There is no need to throw away old kitchen utensils if there are methods for cleaning them and the possibility of returning the product to its previous well-groomed appearance.

VIDEO: Proper care of cast iron cookware.