A cast iron skillet is a great tool to have in the kitchen. These skillets are durable and your food won’t stick to them. They’re a great choice for sears, scrambling, skillet-frying, and even making pizzas. The only drawback to a cast iron skillet is that some people don’t know to how to clean them effectively. Cast iron skillets are different than other types of skillets and also need to be cleaned differently.

The first thing you need to know is to never put your cast iron skillet in the dishwasher. Scrubbing the skillet with salt is the best way to clean it. First, pour one cup of coarse kosher salt into the cast iron skillet while it’s still warm. Next, use a folded kitchen towel to scour the pan.

Pour out the salt and then rinse your skillet with hot water. Use a kitchen towel to dry the skillet immediately, or you can opt to heat it over a medium to low flame to evaporate the moisture from it. Never use soap or steel wool to clean your cast iron skillet. You also don’t want to leave the pan in the sink to soak because it will likely rust.

After the skillet is cleaned and dried, you’ll want to re-season it. Rub a light coat (about one tablespoon) of flaxseed oil onto the cast iron. You can also use vegetable oil or rendered lard. Next heat the pan gently so the oil soaks in and it’s ready to go the next time you use it.

Cooking with a cast iron skillet is best when you have a nice spacious kitchen you can enjoy. Blue Water Kitchens & More can help you discover your new kitchen with several lines of cabinets and countertops to choose from. Call us today at 810-958-3193 for a free design quote.

There are plenty of sights and sounds associated with fall, but there are also certain smells as well. If you’ve never tried a simmer pot recipe, you’re missing out. You can create some great fall scents with natural ingredients to make your home smell great. Continue reading to learn how you can try it for yourself.

Some of the more popular items you can use for fall scents include:

• Cranberries
• Cloves
• Cinnamon
• Orange
• Vanilla
• Bay leaves
• Lemon
• Rosemary
• Apple
• Pine needles
• Lime
• Mint

You can mix and match any of these ingredients, but there are some quite simple ones you can try including orange peels and a few drops of vanilla or five bay leaves, one tablespoon of whole cloves, and two cinnamon sticks.

Rather than going out and buying all these ingredients, save your orange, lemon, and lime peels as well as apple and pear skins rather than composting them or throwing them away. To prepare your simmer pan, take a small saucepan and fill it with water.

Bring the water to a boil and then add in your desired ingredients. Allow them to boil for a few minutes and then lower the heat to a simmer. You’ll need to add more water about every 30 minutes so you can continue to enjoy the lovely fall scent.

Essential oils are now popular and can save you a bit of time if you prefer not to prepare your fall scents on the stove. If you’re looking for a new kitchen or to update your kitchen cabinets or countertops, contact Blue Water Kitchens & More. We would be happy to give you a free design quote and help make your dream kitchen a reality. Give us a call today at 810-958-3193 for more information.