Before you know it, we’ll be elbows-deep in holiday cooking season—aka, the time of year our Roasting Pan was made for. Before you think about what sides to serve with your Hot Honey Glazed Ham, however, there’s one thing we wanted to touch on: how to clean your carbon steel roasting pan so that it’s primed and ready to go for next time.
Here, we have everything you need to know about cleaning your roasting pan, from how to remove stubborn residue and even how to keep your pan free from rust.
How to Clean a Carbon Steel Roasting Pan
Just like with any kitchen mess, there’s no one-size-fits-all method for cleaning your roasting pan. Here are a few options, ranging from a gentle rinse (for everyday messes) to steel wool (for messes that require a little extra elbow grease).
Level One: Used
Put down the dish soap—you won’t be needing it here. Because of the seasoning on your roasting pan (or any carbon steel cookware), it’s best to wash without dish soap to avoid stripping the layers of polymerized oil that create a non stick surface.
You can scrub with salt if it’s really dirty (we’ll get to that in the next step), but if there’s no burnt-on food or oil residue, a good wipe with a paper or kitchen towel is all you need to get rid of any leftover gunk.
Level Two: Stuck-on Residue
If you’re dealing with stuck-on (but not incinerated) food remnants, the next step is to scrub it out with a mixture of neutral oil like grapeseed—a couple of tablespoons or so—and coarse salt. Once you’ve created a paste, use a paper or kitchen towel to evenly coat the inside of the pan, making sure to get into the corners. Scrub well with the rough side of a sponge, then rinse well and dry.
Level Three: Burnt or Scorched Messes
If your roasting pan is looking like the aftermath of Pompeii, it’s time to crank the heat (again). Place your pan on the stove, pour in enough water to cover the burnt areas, and bring to a boil.
While your pan is boiling, use a wooden or silicone spoon or spatula to scrape up as much of the burnt residue as possible, then pour out the water, rinse, and return to the stove on medium heat to dry. We recommend adding a new layer of seasoning before putting your pan away.
Last Resort: Steel Wool
If somehow, inexplicably, your pan is still dirty, we have one final, last-ditch method to offer you. This method is steel wool, which—while it’ll most definitely get your pan squeaky clean—will strip the seasoning as well. Make sure to reseason it before the next use.
How to Care For Your Carbon Steel Roasting Pan
While carbon steel roasting pans are virtually indestructible, they’re still subject to issues like rust and ruined seasoning. Here’s how to prevent these pitfalls before they happen.
Seasoning (and Re-Seasoning)
While some carbon steel cookware comes pre-seasoned, most of the time, you’ll have to add an initial layer of seasoning before using it for the first time—not just to make it non stick, but to protect it from rust as well. You should also reseason periodically as needed, in order to maintain an even, non stick cooking surface.
Managing Rust
Like cast iron, carbon steel is made mostly of iron, which means that your carbon steel cookware is highly susceptible to rust. Proper seasoning is your first layer of defense here: the polymerized oil protects the raw metal beneath from oxidation. If your pan does rust, however, there are a few options for getting it clean.
Storing Correctly
Aside from seasoning, proper storage is key for preventing rust from forming on your roasting pan. After using your pan, dry it thoroughly before storing, and keep it away from moisture or humidity. Also make sure to reseason your pan as needed, since—as we mentioned above—the seasoning acts as a protective barrier against rust.
Cooking with the Right Ingredients
Acidic ingredients like wine, vinegar, and tomatoes can react with carbon steel and produce off flavors, as well as strip the seasoning, so you should try to avoid adding them to your roasting pan. If you do end up using them, be sure to reseason your pan afterward.
Ready to Clean?
Cleaning your roasting pan might not be the most fun activity (all that scrubbing and boiling!), but—like getting your car’s oil changed—it’ll make all your holiday cooking just that little bit easier. We promise you, it’ll be worth the effort—if only for the perfect roast chicken you’ll get to enjoy later.
