Cast iron and gluten cleanup

[Darla-in-Houston]

I read some old post that is now closed to replies that said we should use oven cleaner on our cast iron and then self clean in the oven to remove the gluten. Oven cleaner is ridiculously toxic. Why on Earth would we do that and then have that residual in our food? Isn't that just as, if not more dangerous to our health?

[Scott Adams]

I’ve personally never worried about cleaning my oven to avoid gluten, but clearly some celiacs do. I agree that commercial oven cleaners can be toxic, especially to the environment.

[kareng]

I think he was talking about his cast iron pans.  I have just put them in the oven on clean and then Re- season them.  

[Ennis-TX]

Cleaning cycle on the oven, 500F+ can destroy the gluten proteins, scrub with dawn repeat if you wish then rinse and re-season.
I would not use oven cleaner on cast iron, the pours surface could retain the chemicals, and I am unsure how they burn off. If you really gotta clean cast iron I might say a sandblaster/beadblaster, then wash and oven method for residual protein destruction.

[Scott Adams]

I’ve never done this and doubt it’s necessary.