Cast iron

[minniemoo]

I have just had a new kitchen installed and the black 'thingies' that are on a hob that the pans go onis made of cast iron (sorry don't know what they are called). I have tried to clean them once with soap and water and dried them with a tea towel and kitchen roll but both leave white bits on it. Does anyone know what I could clean them with?

[Ethel]

They are called pan supports.

They can be cleaned in a dishwaser.

I clean mine with a stainless steel scourer and soapy water, rinse them in hot water and leave them to drain.

[minniemoo]

Thanks I'll give that a go.

[Clanad]

Additionally, if you're oven happens to be a self-cleaning one, just place them in there on the next cleaning cycle... they'll come out exceptionally clean...

[angeldraws]

On Aggie n Kim (How Clean is Your House?) they soaked em in Biological Washing powder/soap......