Very moldy cast iron cookware - what's the best way to clean it?
Returning home after using cast iron cookware on a camping trip, I forgot to clean the cast iron in the midst of much unpacking and other matters. As a result of A) leaving any cookware with food in it for almost a week, and B) leaving a cast iron pot sealed with its cover on it, there was more mold in that cast iron pot than I'd ever seen on any cookware before.
My main priority was to clean all the mold ASAP. I put the pot and pan (lid) outside in my yard, poured bleach on it, then followed up with boiling water. That seemed to kill all the mold, and nearby grass. After that, and rainy weather the following day when I intended to leave it outside to air out and dry in the sun, the cast iron became very rusted.
Now I embark on the task of scraping off all the rust using steel wool, scrubbing the cookware with soap, rinsing it in hot water, drying it, then reseasoning it. This all has me wondering: when cast iron cookware gets very moldy, what's the most efficient and accessible way to make it hygienic and usable again?
Best Answer
The most efficient method would be to skip the whole bleach step, and start right in on burning the mold (and seasoning) off either in a fire or in an oven on the self-clean cycle. Then proceed to re-seasoning.
Taking the bleach side trip adds the joy of rust removal, which you can avoid if you don't let the cleaned (by fire/heat) cast iron get damp before oiling it and starting the re-seasoning process.
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Quick Answer about "Very moldy cast iron cookware - what's the best way to clean it?"
Killing the mold with hydrogen perioxide works better than bleach. Wash thoroughly with the peroxide and then put in the oven to reseason. Let it sit for a week...if the mold persists, repeat the process.How do you get rid of mold on cast iron?
Problem 4: Mold on Bare Cast IronClean the pan in warm water with mild soap using a nylon scrub brush. Dry thoroughly, and then heat the pan on the stovetop over medium heat for four minutes. Coat the inside of the pan with a small amount of vegetable oil and wipe out excess with a paper towel.How do you clean a heavily soiled cast iron pan?
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 you clean black crud off cast iron?
Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils (including can openers) with hot soap and water. Rinse and then sanitize them by boiling in clean water or immersing them for 15 minutes in a diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per 1 gallon of drinking water).The Easy Guide On Seasoning and Restoring Cast Iron
More answers regarding very moldy cast iron cookware - what's the best way to clean it?
Answer 2
You have done it. Remove rust with fine steel wool (XXXX) and then wash with a mild dish soap, then re-season. Dry thoroughly.
Answer 3
Killing the mold with hydrogen perioxide works better than bleach. Wash thoroughly with the peroxide and then put in the oven to reseason. Let it sit for a week...if the mold persists, repeat the process.
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