I have left my cast iron pan on the heat for 2 1/2 hrs. How do I stop the release of black on paper towel and when first cooked onions? [duplicate]

I have left my cast iron pan on the heat for 2 1/2 hrs. How do I stop the release of black on paper towel and when first cooked onions? [duplicate] - Cast Iron Skillet on Table With Species

I left my empty cast iron pan on the stove top for 2 1/2 hrs. My problem is not a rusty residue, but black that continues to wipe off. What can I do? I have washed with steel wool, rinsed well, but when I wiped with oil, the paper towel continues to wipe black.



Best Answer

Fully clean it

The residue is burnt seasoning (fats) that you haven't fully removed yet. It takes a surprising amount of effort, but this article describes how to completely strip your pan so that you can re-season it.




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I have left my cast iron pan on the heat for 2 1/2 hrs. How do I stop the release of black on paper towel and when first cooked onions? [duplicate] - Three Black and Gray Pots on Top of Grill With Fire on Focus Photo
I have left my cast iron pan on the heat for 2 1/2 hrs. How do I stop the release of black on paper towel and when first cooked onions? [duplicate] - Selective Focus Photography of Burnt Charcoal
I have left my cast iron pan on the heat for 2 1/2 hrs. How do I stop the release of black on paper towel and when first cooked onions? [duplicate] - Juicy cutlets topped with aromatic rosemary frying in hot pan with metal tongs during cooking process in kitchen while preparing for lunch



Quick Answer about "I have left my cast iron pan on the heat for 2 1/2 hrs. How do I stop the release of black on paper towel and when first cooked onions? [duplicate]"

One of the simplest ways to remove the residue is by using salt. Yes, that's right, salt. Take an oily paper towel (it's best to use the same type of oil you season the pan with) and use it to rub salt over the bottom of the pan.

How do I get the black off my cast iron skillet?

2 Ways to Remove Black Residue
  • Pour 1-2 cups of water into your skillet and bring it to a boil. ...
  • Use a paper towel or a clean dish rag to dry off the cast iron. ...
  • Once it's dry, put on a quarter to a half cup of salt. ...
  • Then, wash the skillet with warm water. ...
  • Once you rinse off the skillet, dry it off.


  • Why is my cast iron black when I wipe?

    They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils. Using an oil with a low smoke point will carbonize at high temperatures and cause residue from the pores of your pan to rub off onto your food. While unappealing, they won't hurt you in such a small amount.

    Can cast iron be damaged by heat?

    There are several ways a piece of cast iron cookware can be damaged, as noted above: chipping, cracking, warping, and pitting. The first two can be caused by physical impact; the second two by improper rapid heating or cooling, also known as thermal shock.

    What happens if you overheat cast iron pan?

    3 | Don't overheat your cast iron. Don't overheat it. Sticking your skillet into a roaring fire might seem like a good way to heat it up in a hurry, but overheating or uneven heating can cause your skillet to take on a permanent warp, or even crack.



    Why is My Cast Iron Sticky? And How to Fix It!




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Engin Akyurt, Clem Onojeghuo, Lukas, Katerina Holmes