How would you clean an old cast iron pan?
1probably not much difference since they both get recycled2Is your stove gas or electric? Where does the electricity to your house come from(coal, gas, hydro, wind, nuclear)?
Microwave ovens are very efficientBuying soda in recylcable containers is what countsIt takes a whole lot of energy to smelt aluminum from its ore and a lot less to recast itIt takes much less energy to make plastic bottles, but the process is very toxicThe only happy solution to this problem is to make soda bottles out of plastic that biodegrades easily and which doesn't come from petroleum sources.
Those directions are for a pan in really bad shapeIf yours isn't so out of shape, you can clean it with hot, soapy water and an abrasive brushBe sure to season it properly (rub the inside with vegetable shortening and place upside down on the middle rack in your ovenBe sure to place a sheet of aluminum foil on the lower grate to catch any drippingsThe oven should be preheated to 300Leave the pan in there for several hoursWipe out with a clean paper towel and let coolYou're good to goI use my cast iron pans for a lot of thingsThey provide good, even, constant heatThey're great for making fried chicken in or to bake/roast any kind of meat in the ovenPork chops turn out beautifullyThey are wonderful for fried potatoes, or for sauteing other vegetablesWhen well-seasoned, they're perfect for cooking eggsAvoid cooking foods high in acid in a cast-iron pan (tomatoes, citrus juice, etc.)The acid will interact with the iron and you'll get an unpleasant metal taste in your food.
