Cleaning cast iron pans can be an arduous process, especially when food stubbornly becomes stuck. To help rid your kitchenware of any unwanted stuck-on food, the culinary experts at Delish shared a simple way to resolve the issue.

Cast iron pans may get dirty for a multitude of reasons, as sometimes leftover residue from various seasonings and oils cling to the surface. One of the most common reasons for stuck-on food is using a heat setting that is too high and overheating the pan, according to Le Creuset. To help solve the problem, Delish recommended a simple method ‘loved’ by grandmas, using baking soda.

How to clean cast iron pans

The expert said in a recent TikTok video: “There is nothing worse than seeing this at the bottom of your beautiful, expensive enamelled cast iron Dutch oven.”

When dealing with stuck on leftover food, one of the best ways to lift off unwanted grime is to use a  method loved by grannies. Firstly, pour around four cups of water into the pan.

Place the pan onto the hob and heat it until the water comes to a boil. Add in two tablespoons of baking soda, letting the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes.

Or you can leave the water sitting in the pot overnight for a “deeper clean”. Once the water has cooled down enough to touch it, pour it away.

Follow with warm water and a soapy sponge, scrubbing away at any excess dirt.

The expert continued: “Hardly any elbow grease. Now your mother-in-law has to find something else to judge you for.”

Baking soda helps clean cast iron due to its mild abrasive nature and its ability to react with acids, effectively loosening and removing stuck-on food. It also has alkaline properties that can neutralize acidic burnt food.

Stanley suggested in the comments: “I do the same thing but add salt and then let it sit and then add dishwashing soap. It’ll make it spotless.”

Le Creuset explained that although enameled cast iron items are dishwasher-safe, it’s always better to hand wash them instead.

Over time, constant dishwashing may lead to some dulling of the enamel finish, however, this won’t negatively affect the cooking process.