How to clean iron tawa?

Asha Bogenfuerst Asha Bogenfuerst
homify Kitchen
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The tawa is an essential part of every Indian kitchen, it is the hot pan of our staple – chapatis, rotis and dosas. Thus it is important that the tawa or cast iron skillet be maintained properly in order to cook the best rotis. The tawa is unlike any other cooking pan and requires a different cleaning and maintenance regime to keep it clean, rust-free and well-seasoned. In today's idea book we will provide you with some simple guidelines for cleaning and re-seasoning the tawa. Some of the materials you will require for this are a sponge or stiff brush, clean dry cloth or paper towels, vegetable oil or ghee, and salt. Let's get started shall we?  

1. Clean it right away

The best time to clean the tawa is right after you've used it and while it's still hot or warm. Make sure not to soak the pan in water or leave it in the sink as this can cause it to become rusty. It is not recommended to put it in the dishwasher either. 

For more ideas like this, you can have a look at dynamic kitchen ideas.

2. Gentle scrubbing

It's best to gently scrub the tawa by hand with a sponge or stiff brush under and hot water. Most importantly, do not use any type of soap or dishwasher. Don't worry if you scratch off some of the tawa's smooth seasoning as you can always re-season it after cleaning. 

3. Salt and water for the stubborn bits

Sometimes you still might have stubborn bits that stick on to the pan even after you've scrubbed it in hot water. The best way to get rid of stubborn food residue on a tawa is to scrub it with a paste of salt and water or by immersing it in boiling water. 

For more related DIY tips, you can refer to what can I use for cleaning the drain pipe.

4. Dry it well

It is very important to dry the tawa really well to prevent it from rusting. The best way to do this is to thoroughly dry it with a towel or by place it on the stove over low heat. 

For more inspiration, check out 9 kitchen tips to make cooking easier.

5. Oil it

After the tawa has been cleaned and dried, it needs to be oiled again. You can oil the tawa by applying a light coat of vegetable oil or ghee with a cloth or paper towel. If you're very particular, you can oil both sides of the tawa. Oiling the outer part of the tawa can help to remove some of the excess buff too. 

While we're on the subject of Indian kitchens, it might also be worth checking out 10 fantastic Indian outdoor kitchen ideas.

6. Store it in a dry place

Last but not least, make sure you store the tawa in a dry place so that it doesn't accumulate moisture and rust. Ideally, the tawa should be stored in a closed cupboard which is easy to reach. 

We hope the cleaning tips here have been helpful. For more ideas like this, please refer to 11 cleaning tips for a spotless kitchen.

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