5 Easy Care Tips for Cast Iron
Maureen Murphy, Manager Consumer Trends, Nutrition and Lifestyles

- Cast iron can be washed – wash by hand using a nylon bristle brush, and if needed, use a pan scraper for any stubborn cooked-on bits.
- Do not: soak in water, use a dishwasher or metal scouring pads
- A mild detergent may be used, but isn’t necessary after each washing
- For particularly sticky food, simmer a little water for 1 minute, then use a pan
scraper after skillet has cooled.
- Dry immediately and thoroughly
- Rub with a little food-safe cooking oil/shortening (vegetable or canola oil recommended), preferably while skillet is still warm
- Use it frequently as the more often you use it the better it gets as the seasoning (oil) builds up on the pan creating a nonstick layer
- Scrub with a metal scouring pan
- Wash
- Dry
- Oil interior and exterior
- Place upside down with piece of foil or sheet pan underneath
- Bake in a 350° oven for 1 hour; allow to cool completely in oven
Get Your Grill On!
Maureen Rowan Murphy, Manager Consumer Trends, Nutrition and Lifestyles

- Gather everything up to avoid leaving food unattended on hot grill
- Wire brush
- Long-handled matches/lighter and charcoal for charcoal grill
- Long handled tongs
- Metal spatula
- Basting brushes
- Skewers
- Grill basket
- Meat thermometer
- Clean platters and utensils
- Heavy duty oven mitts
- Reduce food sticking by taking a paper towel dipped in a little oil, and using tongs, wipe evenly over the grates
- Preheat grill 10 to 15 minutes to ensure it reaches the proper temperature as well as kill any possible bacteria
- Grilling Temperatures – High: 400-450°F for high; medium-high: 350-400°F; medium: 300-350°F; low: 250-300°F
- A properly heated grill sears foods on contact, keeps the insides moist and helps prevent sticking
- Keep a spray water bottle for gas or charcoal grills nearby in case of flare ups
- Don’t use cooking spray on a hot grill
- Sear the meat to seal in juices and capture its best flavors
- Turn grill down after searing so food does not burn outside and remain raw inside
- Use tongs when turning meat or poultry to keep natural juices inside
- Turn food only once – the less you flip, the more the flavor develops
- Apply sauces and glazes during last 10 minutes to avoid potential flare-ups
- Close grill lid to enhance smoky flavor and keep moisture in
- Use a food thermometer to ensure a safe internal temperature
- Steaks, roasts and chops: 145°F with a 3 minute rest time
- Ground beef, pork, lamb and veal: 160°F
- Poultry, including ground poultry: 165°F
- Let meat “rest”, tented with foil, about 10 minutes before cutting
Keep Your Food and Family Safe This Summer!

- Keep food out of this range as foodborne bacteria can grow rapidly to dangerous levels that can result in illness
- Always keep cold food COLD, at or below 40°F, in coolers or in containers with ice or frozen gel packs
- Keep hot foods HOT, at or above 140°F, on the grill or in insulated containers, heated chafing dishes, warming trays or slow cookers
- Reheat foods to 165°F
- Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling food
- Clean kitchen surfaces, dishes and utensils with hot water and soap
- Have one cutting board for produce and another one for meat, poultry and seafood
- Use separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked foods
- Wash plates, utensils, and cutting boards that held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs before reusing
- Marinate in the refrigerator and not on the counter keeping raw meat/poultry separate from any veggies you might be using
- If you plan to reuse the marinade as a sauce be sure to boil it first to destroy any harmful bacteria or make extra to set aside before adding raw meat/poultry
- Cook: Cook to safe internal temperatures
- Use a food thermometer to ensure food is thoroughly cooked
- Whole cuts of meat (steaks, chops and roasts) – 145°F with a 3 minute rest time
- Ground beef, pork, lamb and veal- 160°F
- Poultry, including ground poultry- 165°F
- Fish – 145°F
- Leftovers – 165°F
- Refrigerate perishable food within one hour in hot weather (above 90°F) and within two hours if temperatures are below 90°F
- Place leftover foods in shallow containers for quick cooling