Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Christine Carey on 12/02/2009 12:30:04

Title: What makes cast-iron cookwear 'non-stick'?
Post by: Christine Carey on 12/02/2009 12:30:04

Christine Carey  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
I was just cleaning my cast iron skillet when it occurred to me that when I originally "cured" it I was doing the same thing as when you ran the coffee mug over the candle flame in "Kitchen science" and got a build up of carbon that was hydrophobic and hard to wash off.  

Is that true, and thus is that what makes the cast iron "non-stick" and also why you should not use soap to wash it?

I love your show (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/) and listen to it regularly up hear in NH, USA.

- Christine

What do you think?

Title: What makes cast-iron cookwear 'non-stick'?
Post by: JnA on 13/02/2009 11:32:38

IF your first assumption is true then soap will make the skillet less hydrophobic.. breaks the surface tension I guess.