cleaning after cooking ?

[Gary Buriani]

Ok im new to the cast iron cooking lifestyle. I love using it. After I cook I let the pan cool, than I clean it with water to make sure all the grim is off than I throw it on the stove heat it up and toss some Crisco in it and wipe it down with a paper towel. It has a nice gloss to it when im done. Is my method ok or is there something else I need to be doing? Is Crisco ok or is there a better product I could be using?

[C. B. Williams]

I think maybe you are using an extra step. Why let it cool and then reheat it? I put the water in when its still warm, wipe, dry, spray with Pam and wipe down. Depending on what was cooked, I might just wipe out with a paper towel and that's it. I don't put much importance on which oil to use, Crisco, Pam, whatever.

[Mark Zizzi]

I do it similar to Gary's method, except I hit it with pam instead of crisco. It's just easier... either one is good. I'll heat it to the point the pam starts smoking a little, then wipe out good with a paper towel. I think it adds to the seasoning, seems to anyway. And don't forget to do the sides and bottom too!  ;)

[Tom Penkava]

I do much like C.B., just be sure you are adding hot water to the pan, at least till you are used to judging if you might warp/crack a pan with cold water.

[Gary Salsman]

Depending on what is cooked, I usually wash mine out with soap and water, rinse, dry with a paper towel, heat it back up on the stove, spray with pam, and wipe it out

[Colin Crosby]

Using water is the last thing I ever do with my cast iron pan. I can always tell when my wife uses MY pan because she just doesn't get it!! Now again, depending on what I'm cooking, i clean it while its still hot. If it's seasoned properly, the food should wipe off very easy with a paper towel. I'll do it a couple times, then last one with a touch of coconut oil on and wipe dry. Takes no longer then a minute. With this said, I stay away from all sugary sauces that could and will burn on that pan. Cast iron is my searing pan, eggs, fish, steak, chicken or anything that needs a quick blast.