Instructions

1. Make sure your cast iron cookware is seasoned properly. This is the key to prolonging the life of your cookware indefinitely. Begin by scouring the inside of the pot with steel wool and then coating the inside with vegetable oil or grease. Bake it in a warm oven for 2 hours, and wipe off any excess grease. Repeat the process after every thorough cleaning, or about once a month, to keep the non-stick properties of your cookware.

2. Add a little water to the pan. If you do happen to burn food in your cast iron cookware, the first thing you should try is adding water to the pan while it's still warm. It should help the baked-on bits loosen up, so they'll be easier to remove.

3. Wash with warm water and soap. Scrub and scrape the inside of the pot with steel wool and a wooden spoon to remove all debris. Clean the inside thoroughly, and then rinse it until the water runs clear.

4. Put it through the self-cleaning cycle in your oven if none of the above steps work. The high temperatures may be enough to bake off the offensive food and leave your pot looking new again.