Crust over my cast iron?

Question

I bought 2 cast iron grills from Macys. I have seasoned them. One of them (the other not used yet), continues to have crust of food after I use the iron for grilling purposes (chicken, meats, etc). I believe they are the food residue from the spices, and it's a pain to take them out.... how does one get rid of... ? Is it part of the 'new use'? Shouldnt cast Iron pots/pans/griddles/grills be smooth after seasoning them? I tried hotwater to wash the crust off but it seems stuck! Help please... I really like using it.

Answer 1

Cast iron does not get smooth immediately...it takes years of cooking on them for them to turn a shiny black.

I have my grandmother's cast iron fry pan that's been in use for over 75 years...its very smooth and shiny. (But it doesn't take that long...but a couple of years.)

To clean the food crust...heat the pan over low heat. Take the pan off the heat. Then pour over a generous amount of kosher salt and a little bit of white vinegar. The vinegar will make some fumes, so keep your face away (don't stick your nose directly over the pan.) Then use a dish cloth to scrub the pan with the salt and vinegar. Then rinse with hot water.

To dry the pan, put it back on the stove over a very very low flame. When the pan is dry, take some Crisco on a paper towel and rub it on the pan. This will make it nice and smooth for the next time.

It sounds like alot of steps, but it only takes a few minutes.

PS: NEVER use soap or brillo on the pan.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Adding to the previous answer-- after drying over a low flame-- I store my cast iron upside down in the oven-- checking ahead when I'm about to bake of course--- A really aged fry pan will get crusty on the outside-- the simplest way to clean it is in a camp fire-- I've used an electric self cleaning oven-- putting the pan inside- also upside down-- ashes the crust.
The previous answer is correct-- takes just a few minutes to clean and "re" season the skillet-- and well worth it. OH-- if the pan was not hot enough when the food was placed on the pan-- it will stick even if seasoned.
ps-- my skillet has been in continous use since 1890.
good luck

Answer 3

Have you tried putting the grills on the stove burner to heat and therefore dry after using them. It takes a long time to season them. Do not wash them with much soap and never with a steel wool.

Answer 4

leave your grill on until the crust turns to ash and then wire brush it. avoid using water on the cast iron it will cause rusting.