Today we are going to detail how to clean and care for your Lodge Cast Iron Cookware.
If you haven't visited our InRugCo Studio & Gift Shop, you might be unaware that we carry the full line of Lodge. We are huge believers in the versatility and ease of use with Lodge Cast Iron Cookware! On any given Sunday, in our respective kitchens in the wee hours of the morning, there is a high probability a member of the InRugCo family might be making a breakfast skillet in a Lodge...
(doesn't that look delicious? Good news, we posted the recipe here.)
Some people might claim cast iron is hard to clean, or difficult to cook with, however, I tend to disagree. Sure, the cleaning procedure is different than standard cookware, but it's still incredibly easy. 
Seasoned Cast Iron
All the Lodge Cast Iron sold at our Studio & Gift Shop comes seasoned and is ready to cook with straight from our store. A "seasoned" cast iron means that oil has been baked into the pan. That's all. That layer of oil gives the cast iron cookware a natural finish that improves upon use.
Lodge uses 100% vegetable oil to season their cast iron cookware right in the foundry. The best way to maintain the seasoning on your pan is to use it. This builds up layers of baked on oil to improve the natural, easy-release surface. Over time, all the savory flavors and spices you use cooking add to the character of your cast iron!
Learn more about seasoning direct from Lodge
Cleaning
Now that you understand how Lodge seasons their cookware, we can move onto cleaning. Let's say you had a dinner party and made everyone carne asada tacos. The party was a great success & everyone was enamored with the delectable steak you cooked in your Lodge. Now that the party is over and it's time to clean the cast iron cookware, do not wry in fear!
- Wash your cast iron by hand in the sink. Use hot water and a teeny amount of soap. You can use a pan scraper for food that is stuck on. If the food is really stuck on, simmer a pinch of water for several minutes, then use the scraper.
- Dry the cast iron with a paper towel or lint-free cloth immediately after washing. If the cast iron shows any black residue, do not be alarmed, that is just due to the seasoning and is perfectly ok.
- Wipe cast iron down with a light layer of cooking oil or coat with Lodge Seasoning Spray (available at our Studio). Remember you just want a light coat, so wipe off excess with a paper towel.
We do sell the official Lodge Seasoning Spray and the Lodge Pan Scraper at our Studio to make cleaning easier!
Common Concerns
Issues such as rust, flaking, or stuck on food are all easy to solve issues! The bulk of those concerns can be remedied by using hot water, soap, & oil to reseason the cast iron.
Rust
Rust can form when cast iron is subjected to moisture for lengthy periods, such as cast iron left in the sink to soak, or cast iron put into the dishwasher. Although rust isn't pleasant to look at, it is harmless to your cast iron and easy to remove. Remember, it is important to dry the cast iron immediately after cleaning with a paper towel or lint-free cloth.
- Using a metal scouring pad and scrub the surface with warm, soapy water. Don't worry about using soap since you are preparing to re-season the cookware. Rinse and hand dry thoroughly.
- Spread a thin, evenly distributed layer of cooking oil on the outside and inside of the cookware. Be careful not to use too much oil, or your cookware could become sticky.
- Heat your oven to 450-500 F degrees and bake the cookware for one hour. Turn the cookware upside down and place it on the top rack, excess oil may drip off the cookware, that is normal. This process reseasons the cookware.
Stuck-On Food
Food, marinades, and sauces can burn and get stuck to the surface if you accidentally leave your cast iron cookware on any heat source for too long. No worries, stuck-on food is easily to clean.
- Scrap the pan with a food scraper, while running warm water over the pan.
- If the food cannot be removed with a scraper, heat water in the cookware on the stove for about 5 minutes, then use scraper.
- After scraper use, be sure to hand dry with a paper towel and then apply thin layer of oil.
Still have questions?
Lodge does a fantastic job detailing how to care for your cast iron cookware.
View their troubleshooting guide
Come view our Lodge selection today!
