Why You Should Store Your Cast Iron Cookware With Coffee Filters

Cast iron pans are great for everything from making deep dish pizzas to perfectly searing steaks, but one disadvantage they have is they are prone to rusting. There are specific ways you want to clean and dry these versatile cooking vessels to keep this from occurring, but sometimes moisture finds its way to the pan, and before you know it, your trusty cast iron is pocked with rust marks. However, if you want to ensure it stays rust-free, the solution is simple — all you need is a coffee filter.

A coffee filter placed inside the pan will absorb any rogue moisture that attempts to settle on the surface, which is what creates rust over time. You still want to lightly oil your cast iron pans after every use, but placing a coffee filter inside will further prevent any moisture from ruining your cookware. If you save space in your cupboards by stacking other dishes on top of your cast iron, the paper filter also acts as a protective liner that prevents those dishes from scratching the pan.

Sometimes rust happens, but that doesn't mean it is time to throw your prized cookware out. If your pan does become rusted, it is going to require some elbow grease to remove it. Grab some steel wool and go at the rust with soap and water. This will remove some of the seasoning, but that's fine because once it is clean, you are going to re-season it.

After it is washed, you can use Martha Stewart's favorite way to season a cast iron pan by lathering it up with Crisco and placing it in the oven face down at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour. When it comes out, it should look just as good as the day you bought it, and you can store it with a coffee filter to ensure it won't rust again.

Whether cooking perfectly seasoned roasted vegetables or making a savory deep-dish pizza in a cast iron skillet, the end result is a dirty pan. However, with cast iron cookware, you have to be careful about the method you use to clean it so you don't remove the seasoning if it isn't rusted. Using a dishwasher or detergent to help remove grit and grime can cause the seasoning on the pan to come off. Wash the cast iron pan with only hot water and a non-abrasive scrubby. A coffee filter will help keep moisture away once it dries.