Remove Stuck-On Food From Cast-Iron Pans Using A Basic Pantry Staple

Maintaining a cast iron pan can be difficult, especially if you're dealing with burnt, stuck-on food, since scrubbing too hard can damage the pan's protective layer of seasoning.

As it turns out, a bit of kosher or sea salt makes short work of stuck-on food. These spices are abrasive enough to break food away from the pan without damaging it.

Simply dust the interior of your pan with a couple tablespoons of salt, then fold up a rag or paper towel and start scrubbing around the salt. You shouldn't have to work too hard.

When you're done, toss the salt and give the pan a quick rinse, then dry the pan with a towel so it doesn't rust. You can also dry it over a stove set to low for a few minutes.