Cleaning the wok properly can save its natural non-stick coating and will help it to last longer. It’s always recommended to make a habit to clean your wok immediately after each and every use. This helps to preserve the natural non-stick coating and will prepare the wok for the next use. But how to clean carbon steel pan or wok? Does it require any special equipment or action?
Well, in this post, you’ll get all the answers that you ever need to know about the cleaning process of the carbon steel wok. Here, you’ll also get some more informative points that’ll help you to keep your wok safe and always ready to use. So, let’s begin it.
Steps on How to Clean Carbon Steel Pan or Wok
Cleaning carbon steel pan or wok is not a complicated process if you know the way how to do it. It doesn’t require any special tools and should not take more than 15 minutes. There’s a step by step cleaning process right below, check it out so that you can clean your wok without any problem.
- Allow the Pan to Cool to Warm
It’s very important to let your carbon steel pan or wok to cool before you start your cleaning process. Be careful not to put a hot wok or pan straight into the cold water as it can cause damage.
- Soak your Pan in Hot Water
Once your pan is warm soak it in hot water for a few minutes. Fill your sink with warm water and place your carbon steel pan or wok into it. Wait for a few minutes or up to 30 minutes if you have difficult stains on your pan. This simple step will loosen any food remains, making it easier to remove.
- Scrub it with a Sponge
Use a wok cleaning brush, kitchen sponge, or scrubber to scrub away any food residue or remnants from the pan. It’s always better to clean the pan using only warm or hot water and a soft sponge. However, you can use a bit of dish soap on your sponge pad if needed while you scrub the pan.
- Rinse it Thoroughly with Hot Water
Once you’ve scrubbed away any food remains or built-in food, rinse the pan completely with hot water. Check the pan for any food remains and rinse it again if needed.
- Dry your Pan Completely
You’ll need to dry your carbon steel fry pan completely, otherwise, it will rust very soon. To dry the pan, wipe it with a tea towel to remove excess water. Now place the pan on the stovetop over medium to low heat to dry up any remaining moisture. Keep the pan on the stove until all the moisture has evaporated.
- Rub the Pan with Oil
Pour a small amount of neutral oil like vegetable oil or seasoning spray onto the surface of your pan or wok. Rub the oil over the entire cooking surface of the pan with a paper towel. However, you can skip this step if your pan is already perfectly seasoned or gets lots of use.
Things you must Avoid while cleaning a Carbon Steel Pan
There are some most important things that you must avoid while cleaning or washing your carbon steel pan. Let’s check the following points to know more.
- Do not put an extremely hot wok into cold water as it can damage the wok.
- Avoid using soap while cleaning your carbon steel pan since it can damage the non-stick coating or seasoning.
- Never soak your carbon steel pan overnight as it can cause it to rust.
- Be aware not to use any kind of abrasive sponge or metal scrubber since this can damage any protective layer of your wok.
Effective Tips and Tricks for Carbon Steel Pan Care
A carbon steel pan will last for generations if you can take proper care of it. There’re some essential tips and tricks right below check them out so that you can make your pan last longer. 
Always clean your new and uncoated carbon steel pan before you use it for the first time. An uncoated pan usually comes with a thin coating of oil on its surface to protect it from rusting or tarnishing. Scrub the pan gently with a soft sponge and hot soapy water.
Rinse the pan thoroughly and dry it with a soft clean cloth or paper towel. Now set the pan on the cooktop over high heat until it begins smoking. Pour a little amount of vegetable oil on a paper towel and rub it over the pan.
Use a little oil instead of non-stick spray while you’re cooking with a new carbon steel pan.
Whether or not you are using an uncoated or non-stick wok, it’s suggested to avoid metal utensils in your wok. Since metal utensils can scrape the bottom of the wok, it’s better to use bamboo or wooden utensils for cooking with your wok.
Acidic foods such as vinegar, lemon juice, or tomato sauce can damage the seasoning of your wok. So, it’s recommended not to cook any kind of acidic food in your wok or it can cause the seasoning to come off.
To remove difficult stains from your wok you can apply a lightening paste making with baking soda and water. To make the paste, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of water. Now apply this paste to the stain when the wok is a little warm.
Last Words
It might sound like lots of works to clean and take care of the carbon steel cookware. Yes, there’re some important facts that you need to concern about but with regular practice, it’ll be easier for you.
However, the best way to keep your wok in excellent condition complete with a natural non-stick coating is to use it frequently. Regular cooking at higher heat with oil plus cleaning and rubbing oil keeps a wok in superexcellent shape for a long time.