I love cooking in this 10 inch black cast iron pan. I know that people have questions about how to keep the pan "Seasoned" and also how to keep the pan clean. Once seasoned this pan can be used as you would a Teflon pan and that is why so many people like it.
The first thing that I would recommend is washing the pan when you bring it home from the store.
You can also wash the pan whenever you feel it is necessary.
A little warm, soapy water and a green scrubbing pad is all you need.
To season the pan:
Place the dry, clean pan over high heat on the stove.
Let the pan heat for a couple of minutes.
Pan should be very, very hot; you may want to put on an oven mitt.
Remove pan from heat and rub or spray with a thin coat of oil.
Let pan cool off and then wipe out any excess oil.
Pan is now ready to use.
You don't need to wash the pan as often as you think.
This is what the pan looks like after cooking steak.
You can clean the pan as shown in the photos below.
Wipe the oil and grease out of the pan.
You can use a paper towel or a rag.
Pour a half a cup of Kosher salt into the pan.
Place the pan over high heat on the stove.
Heat the pan until it starts smoking.
You need to use a cloth towel or rag, not paper.
Use the towel and salt to scrub the pan all over.
The salt will absorb any grease from the pan and also act as an abrasive to clean off any crusty residue.
The salt will turn grey from the grease.
Remove pan from heat.
Pour hot salt out of pan and into another pan to cool.
When salt is cool, toss it in the trash.
Wipe all of the salt from the pan and place back on the stove.
Heat and re-season the pan; as shown in the top photo.
