Bacon Grease: To Wash Or Not?

Whether you need to rewash your pan after cooking bacon depends on your personal preferences and the type of pan you're using. Some people choose to let the grease cool and then clean the pan, while others prefer to clean it right away. If you're using a cast iron pan, it's recommended to avoid using soap and instead clean it with coarse salt and a small amount of water. For non-stick pans, hot water, detergent, and a non-abrasive sponge should do the trick. Ultimately, it's up to you whether you want to rewash your pan after cooking bacon, but keeping your cookware clean and well-maintained is always a good idea.

How to clean a cast iron pan after cooking bacon

The process of cleaning a cast-iron pan after cooking bacon can be a bit tricky, but it's important to do it properly to maintain the pan's seasoning and prevent rust. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to clean your cast iron pan after cooking bacon:

Step 1: Let the Pan Cool Slightly

Don't put your cast iron pan under cold water immediately after cooking, as this can cause thermal shock, leading to warping or cracking. Let the pan cool down slightly, but not completely. Cleaning the pan while it's still warm will make the process easier.

Step 2: Pour Out Excess Bacon Grease

Before cleaning, carefully pour the excess bacon grease into a small jar or cup. You can strain the grease through a small sieve or coffee filter to remove any burnt bacon pieces. This strained grease can be saved and reused for future cooking.

Step 3: Clean the Pan

There are a few different methods you can use to clean your cast iron pan:

• Hot Water and a Scrub Brush: Use hot water and a long-handled scrub brush to clean the pan under running water. Make sure the pan is not too hot to avoid damaging your brush.
• Coarse Salt and Water: Sprinkle coarse salt onto the pan and scrub with a small amount of water. This method is effective for removing stuck-on grease.
• Paper Towel or Kitchen Towel: If you don't want to use water, you can try soaking up the grease with a paper towel or a folded kitchen towel. Squeeze the towel and scrub the pan to absorb the grease.
• Dish Soap (Mild): Although some people advise against using soap on cast iron, a properly seasoned pan can handle a small amount of mild dish soap. Use a soft sponge, dishcloth, or stiff brush for gentle scrubbing. Make sure to dry the pan completely afterward.

Step 4: Dry and Re-Season the Pan

After cleaning, it's crucial to dry your cast iron pan thoroughly. Moisture can lead to rust, so make sure to wipe the pan with a clean cloth and then place it on the stovetop over low heat to ensure it's completely dry. Once dry, rub a thin layer of shortening, lard, bacon grease, or a neutral high-heat cooking oil onto the pan. Heat the pan until the fat just starts to smoke, then turn off the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Remember, properly seasoned and maintained cast iron cookware can last for generations. By following these steps, you'll keep your cast iron pan in excellent condition for years to come.

The best way to clean a cast iron pan after cooking bacon

It is important to clean a cast-iron pan after cooking bacon, as this will help to prevent rust and maintain the pan's non-stick surface. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning a cast-iron pan after cooking bacon:

Firstly, do not move your hot pan from the stove to cold water, as this can cause thermal shock and potentially warp or crack your pan. Instead, allow the pan to cool slightly, but clean it while it is still warm. This will make the cleaning process easier.

Next, pour the bacon grease into a small jar or cup through a sieve or strainer, such as a coffee filter or paper towel. This will remove any burnt bacon pieces and allow you to save the grease for future cooking.

Now, you can begin cleaning the pan. If you are against using soap on your cast-iron pan, you can try using coarse salt and a small amount of water to scrub the pan. Alternatively, you can use a paper towel or kitchen towel to wipe out as much grease as possible, and then scrub the pan with a stainless-steel chain-mail scrubber or a stiff brush under hot running water. If you are comfortable using soap, a gentle dish soap and a light scrubbing with a sponge or dishcloth will also work.

After rinsing, it is important to dry your cast-iron pan completely. Moisture is the enemy of cast iron and can cause rusting. Dry the pan with a clean cloth, and then place it on the stovetop over low heat to ensure it is completely dry. Once dry, rub the pan with a thin layer of shortening, lard, bacon grease, or a neutral high-heat cooking oil. Return the pan to the stovetop and heat until the fat just starts to smoke, then turn off the heat and let the pan cool to room temperature.

Finally, store your cast-iron pan in a dry place with the lid off to prevent rusting. Do not store food in the pan, as the moisture can cause rust.

Whether to clean the pan while it's still warm or wait until it cools down

Whether you're cleaning a pan after cooking bacon or another meal, it's important to let the pan cool down before cleaning it. Putting a hot pan under cold water can cause thermal shock, which can ruin pans over time, whether they are stainless steel, non-stick, or cast iron. Thermal shock can cause warping, shattering, chipping, or cracking. Warped pans don't sit flat on the stovetop, which can cause oil to pool on one side and make it difficult to cook evenly.

It's best to let your pan cool down naturally at room temperature on the stovetop. If you need to free up space on your stovetop, you can place the pan on a trivet or another heat-proof surface. Make sure to wipe off the surface and avoid letting the pan sit in a puddle of water.

Once the pan has cooled down, you can start cleaning it. For non-stick and hard anodized pans, it's recommended to hand-wash using liquid dishwashing detergent and a non-abrasive sponge or soft-bristle brush. If there are difficult residues, you can use a liquid cleanser or a stainless steel cleaner, and then hand-wash in hot, sudsy water.

If you're cleaning a cast iron pan, it's important to note that you shouldn't use soap as it removes the oil and seasoning needed for these pans. Instead, clean the pan with a stiff brush and hot water, and then towel dry immediately to prevent rusting. While the pan is still warm, you can apply a light coat of cooking spray or vegetable oil, wiping away any excess with a paper towel.

The best cleaning tools for a pan used to cook bacon

When it comes to cleaning a pan used to cook bacon, there are several effective methods and tools you can use to get rid of that stubborn grease and bacon residue. Here are some of the best cleaning tools and techniques to consider:

Paper Towels and Coffee Filters:

Before cleaning the pan, it is recommended to pour the leftover bacon grease into a small jar or cup for future use. Using a paper towel or a coffee filter as a strainer can help catch the burnt bacon pieces, ensuring that you collect clean grease for future cooking.

Hot Water and a Scrub Brush:

One popular method is to clean the pan while it is still warm. Fill your sink with hot water and place the pan under the running water. Let it cool slightly, and then scrub the pan with a long-handled scrub brush and hot water. This helps to prevent the grease from solidifying and makes it easier to remove.

Baking Soda and Vinegar:

For more stubborn grease and burnt-on bacon residue, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be very effective. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the stained areas, followed by vinegar. Let the pan sit for a few hours, and then scrub vigorously with a brush or pad. Rinse with hot water to ensure all the grease is gone.

Salt and Coarse Salt:

Using salt is another natural way to clean your pan. For a cast-iron pan, you can use coarse salt and a small amount of water to scrub away the grease. Alternatively, you can sprinkle table salt over the pan after soaking it in vinegar. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and scrub with a pad or brush to remove the grease.

Dishwasher:

If you don't have the time or energy for a deep clean, simply scraping off as much grease as possible and placing the pan in the dishwasher can be a quick solution. However, this may not always be completely effective, and you might need to rewash the pan by hand.

Remember, it is important to let the pan cool slightly before handling it to avoid burning yourself. Additionally, always dispose of the collected bacon grease properly, as pouring it down the sink can cause clogs over time.

How to store bacon grease for future use

Bacon grease is a precious ingredient that adds a savoury, smoky depth to recipes. It can be used as a substitute for butter or oil in many recipes, including roasted vegetables, fried eggs, and vinaigrettes. Here is how to store bacon grease for future use:

Firstly, you will need to collect the grease. You can do this by placing a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or fine mesh strainer over the mouth of a glass container, such as a Mason jar, or a heat-proof container. You can also use a paper towel as a strainer, which is easy to clean up. Then, pour the warm grease through the strainer, which will catch any remaining pieces of bacon. You should let the grease cool briefly before you start working with it, but not so much that it becomes a solid. If this happens, you can gently reheat it until it returns to a liquid state.

Once strained, transfer the grease to a heat-safe food storage container. It is recommended to use glass or metal containers, as the grease can pick up flavours and odours from plastic. Seal the container tightly and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Bacon grease can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three months and in the freezer indefinitely.

If you plan to freeze your bacon grease, you can portion it into small amounts by letting the grease cool slightly, straining it, and then pouring it into freezer-safe containers, such as ice cube trays. You can also freeze the grease in small silicone moulds and then transfer the frozen portions to a zip-top freezer bag for easy individual portions.

By following these steps, you can safely store and preserve your bacon grease, ensuring it stays fresh and flavoursome for future use.

Frequently asked questions