How To Clean A Cast Iron Pan (Without All The Mystery!)
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I love cooking in my cast iron skillets. Not only are they versatile, inexpensive and pretty, they last forever—in fact, the more you use them, the better they get. Well-cared-for cast iron pans have a natural, non-stick finish and, unlike most nonstick pans, you can use any utensils you like, even metal, as there is no chemical coating to damage. They can also be used on any cooking surface, even the grill. However, cast iron does require a little TLC when cleaning to maintain the non-stick coating, known as the “seasoning,” and also to prevent rusting. But if you take good care of your cast iron, it will perform beautifully and last long enough to pass on to the next generation, just like a well-loved family recipe. There’s a lot of mystery around how to clean a cast iron pan, but it really is easy—I promise!
What You’ll Need To Clean A Cast Iron Pan
To clean your cast iron pan, you’ll need a clean dishtowel or paper towel, a soft sponge, coarse salt (if necessary), and a bit of vegetable oil.
Step-by-Step Instructions
After you’ve used your skillet, use a sponge to scrub it with water. But don’t let it soak in water, as this can cause rusting.
If it still needs a bit more attention, add some kosher salt to the pan and scrub with a damp sponge. The salt acts an abrasive cleaner without disturbing the seasoning.
If there are still stubborn bits clinging to the pan, try bringing just a bit of water to boil in the skillet. Let it simmer until the water evaporates and then wipe out or scrub the pan again. Soap isn’t usually necessary, but contrary to popular belief, a little mild detergent won’t strip the seasoning. (Just stay away from dishwashers and metal scouring pads!) Once the skillet is cleaned to your satisfaction, rinse it well and then set it on the stove over medium heat for a few minutes to dry.
Finally, when the skillet is completely dry and still warm, use a cloth or paper towel to coat it very lightly with vegetable oil (you’ll need about 1/2 teaspoon for a 10-inch pan).
Continue to wipe the surface with oiled paper towels until it looks dark and smooth, and no oil residue remains (I rub the handle and outside of the pan too). You may notice some dark residue on your paper towel or cloth when cleaning. This is just the the baked-on cooking oil, or seasoning, reacting to foods — don’t worry, it will disappear with regular use and care. Let the pan cool completely before storing.
Note: Most new cast iron pans come seasoned and ready to use, so if you’re using your cast iron pan for the time, simply give it a quick rinse and hand dry with a dish towel. But older pans may need to be restored or seasoned before using.
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I, too LOVE my cast iron pans. And, similarly to Shakshuka, it is the ONLY way to prepare & serve Eggs in Purgatory (Italian Grandmom’s version)! My pans, with the exception of one squared-off Lodge Pan (which I quite like) were my mom’s from the 40s & 50s, tho her oldest one was from her mom, a Griswold. They have been used all of my life & longer, & I must confess to recklessness: I use Dawn for the grease & a Brillo pas as needed. The Griswold can show signs of rust sometimes. But, by drying them by hand right away (definitely no air drying & coating them with a bit of olive oil, then placing a paper towel inside while storing, they are fine. The Griswold is (interestingly) the lightest in weight & cooks the best, despite the small amount of rust it occasionally shows.
I use Bar Keepers Friend on my stainless steel pans and it works beautifully. Do you know if this would harm cast iron?
Thanks
Dave
Hi Dave, I use Bar Keepers Friend to keep my stainless steel pans shiny as well. I’ve never needed it for my cast iron and, unfortunately, I’m not sure if it’s mild enough to use (couldn’t find any info online, either). Sorry I can’t be more helpful!
Dave, I must confess to having done it. But, my pans are old & have had pretty much everything done to them through the years. I don’t think it did any damage (even to the newer Lodge pan), but I felt like a new, soapy Brillo or SOS pad got it cleaner overall. Once rinsed I dry them immediately. Sometimes I oil them & sometimes not, but I usually use a paper towel b/c I nest them & don’t want to cultivate rust.
We use a section of metal chain links that is sold specifically for cleaning cast iron pans. It does an amazing job.
My mother in law died recently at age 103. She nurtured her cast iron pan to perfection. I did not inherit it, but her great grand daughter who is setting up her first apartment may find that SHE leaves it for her grandkids.
BKF will not harm cast iron. It’s an effective way to clean cast iron, particularly if you need to remove any rust. I think it’s a much better alternative than putting your pan in the oven on the high-temp “Clean” cycle. Use BKF powder or liquid, warm water and a soft kitchen scrub brush. For tough rust stains you can use BKF with fine mesh steel wool (Brillo pad courseness).
Bar Keepers Friend will and does ruin a cast iron pans. It causes a chemical reaction with the surface, discolors them and prevents the pan from absorbing a seasoning. They will never cook right again. Collectors and those who know cast iron well wont use them or buy them. Use salt, soaking, scrubbing, dry well and oil it. Cleaning cycle is also not a good idea. Dont use BKF.
What is the source of the chemical reaction and can it be neutralized?
Not sure. The main ingredient in BKF powder is Feldspar (a type of rock), and the active ingredient is Oxalic acid. Not sure how either of these would be an issue. There are several vegetables that contain oxalic acid.
My mom used to give a quick spray of cooking oil spray such as Pam, and then stored her skillet in the oven. It seemed to work like a charm. No need to use paper towels or get your hands greasy.
Hi Jen. I love your website and all your recipes, but I have to disagree with you about the care of cast iron. It can be very straightforward. It does not have to be complicated. In general, I scrub the pan with a brush with dishwashing soap on it and then hold it under running hot water while continuing with the brush. If there is anything stuck on (sometimes if I sear steak) then I scrape or scrub it (usually with a plastic utensil, but with a metal scrubber or scraper, if necessary). I hardly ever have anything stuck on that is so stubborn. Once rinsed, I dry with a towel, then put in on the stove with the flame on, until the pan is hot. I turn off the stove, and then rub a little bit of olive oil all over the interior surface with a paper towel, and let dry. My pans all stay beautiful and with a great cooking surface.
you use soap on your seasoned cast iron??!
You can use soap on cast iron
Hi Jen,
I love my Lodge cast iron pans to the moon and back . They look as beautifully as the day I perchased them except one. That one is a “10 inch” skillet, I paid $3.00 for at a garage sale and it now looks better than the day I bought it. A little restoring is all it took. It is my go to skillet. Four years a go I baught the Lodge wok (pre-seasoned) on Amazon, it is truly the best wok I have ever owned and best of all, I’ll never have to buy another.
Hi Jenn, my son eats vegan and when he visits told me that he misses my meatloaf. Do you have a recipe for meatloaf, vegan of course? Thanks, doting Mom
I don’t, Dorothy– I’m sorry! You may want to browse some websites/blogs that specialize in vegan recipes to see if you can find an option that looks appealing.
Hi Jen –
I prepared your Moroccan chicken for one of our holiday meals last week and EVERYONE went nuts over it. We grilled it of course……it was SO delicious! Will surely become a summer go-to dish – outstanding! I’m always inspired by your recipes, please keep them coming!
Hello, even new preseasoned cast iron needs a little more seasening, I’ve had mine for years, many pieces, they work better than most non stick pans. I have learned that I should not use a high heat on those so called nonstick pans, plus they are so expensive. You gave the best info for the care of cast iron. I do the exact things to my collection of cast iron, thank you,Carol
Hello Carol, you comment even new preseasoned cast iron needs a little more seasoning! I just finished doing that to my new Lodge preseasoned skillet! I decided on Martha Stewart’s technique using Cristo and 1 (one) hour in the oven. My first experience with preseasoning! I was a little nervous but my skillet looks great!
Now I must learn the cooking techniques. I wasn’t in tune with this
site and I’m finding all these tips so beneficial. Thanks to all ❤️
Hi
The way I clean/season my cast iron is when they are still hot, I run them under water with while scrubbing with a stiff brush such as https://www.amazon.com/Caldrea-8-08E-11-Dishwashing-Brush/dp/B000RMU6UU/ref=pd_sim_79_12?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000RMU6UU&pd_rd_r=VQPGZ2QGBWCKYRB52Y4M&pd_rd_w=i5KEz&pd_rd_wg=0JZsF&psc=1&refRID=VQPGZ2QGBWCKYRB52Y4M — because the pan is hot it doesn’t absorb the water, almost repels it, and then put it right back on the heat to cook off any wetness. I rarely need to apply more oil after cleaning.
My cast iron pan has a little rust stain because I stupidly soaked it. Tried everything to get it out. I don’t feel
Comfortable using it again. What do u think?
Hi Kathie, You can restore it – see this tutorial to bring it back to life.
I soak mine all the time and never have a problem. Yes, it is soaked at least over night.