We love cooking in our big cast iron skillet. I thought I would share how to easily clean a cast iron skillet (or any cast iron cookware). A lot of people are hesitant to use cast iron when cooking because they don’t know how to clean it, or they are afraid or ruining it. Hopefully, I can shed some light on these concerns as it’s actually REALLY easy to clean cast iron.
And it’s pretty indestructible, so it will likely last much longer than any non-stick pan with just a few simple tips.
Related: How to Clean Copper, How to Clean Brass, Cast iron skillet handle cover
Do you have to clean cast iron after every use?
No. This is a somewhat personal preference, but we only clean our cast iron skillet a couple times a month at the most. And we cook with it at least a few times every week.
The little bits of cooked food that build up on the pan between, so long as it’s not excessive, actually adds to the flavor and texture of meals we make.
We mostly make stir fry in our pan, things like shrimp, chicken, vegetables, rice, and savory seasoning and sauces that you might expect in a stir fry.
If we cook something with a very different flavor profile, we would likely go ahead and give our skillet a good wash before and/or after.
How to clean cast iron skillet:
- Scrub away any food residue.
- Rinse with water only.
- Wipe the surface until no residue remains.
- Rub with vegetable oil.
More Tips:
- Don’t put cast iron in the dishwasher.
- Don’t use soap ever (even a mild dish soap is not necessary).
- If you (or your partner/roommate) forget and use soap or put it the dishwasher just rinse well, and then season the cast iron again like you did when you bought it. Some come pre-seasoned, too.
- If you need a more powerful cleaning agent than just water, you can use course salt. You can use kosher salt, a scrubber and neutral oil to scrub away any mess.
- If your cast iron rusts, just scrub/rinse the rust off and rub with oil. It’s not ruined!
Scrub away any food residue. This is likely cooked food bits from previous meals, but it could also be dried sauces, gravies, etc. All you need is hot water and a scrubbing brush, steel wool or a copper cleaning cloth to do this. You can use kosher salt, a scrubber and neutral oil to scrub it.
Important- do NOT use any soap.
If you find it difficult to remove, you can leave water in the pan overnight to soften the debris. This can slightly rust the pan, but just scrub that away with the residue and it’s fine.
Another thing you can try for super stubborn bits is to add boiling water in the pan to loosen things.
Rinse the skillet well, and then pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. You don’t want to leave water droplets as it can rust the pan (which doesn’t ruin it, but you will have to clean it again).
I have one kitchen towel I use for this task as it gets pretty dingy, even after washing the towel. So, don’t use any fancy kitchen towels you like to use for decor or serving. This task is for your can-get-stained-forever kitchen towels only.
Rub the cast iron skillet with oil once it’s dry. I typically use olive oil as it’s what we usually cook with, but any food-safe cooking oil is fine to use. This will keep your cast iron skillet looking like new. Wipe away any excess oil.
Again, a can-get-messy kitchen towel or paper towel is best here, too.
How to season a cast iron pan:
- Begin by soaking, scrubbing or rinsing your pan with warm water. Make sure all food residue is removed. If you are seasoning a brand new pan, just rinse it with water.
- Dry your pan completely.
- Pour 1 teaspoon of oil (vegetable oil, canola oil or flaxseed oil) into your pan and run it into the surface of the pan evenly using a clean cloth or a paper towel. Keep rubbing and buffing until there is a thin coating of oil all over the pan and the pan no longer looks greasy.
- Peheat your over to 450 and bake the cast iron for 45 minutes. Then, turn the oven off, leaning the cast iron inside the over to cool slowly.
- Benefits of seasoning your pan- seasoning your pan creates a rust resistant, nonstick surface to cook with. A well seasoned pan will last indefinitely and become better with age. Seasoning increases the quality and longevity of your cast iron pan.
Can you ruin a cast iron pan?
Yes, but only if you break them or severely scratch them. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of cleaning (and if needed, re-seasoning them) if they have been washed in soap.
So, as long as you don’t break the pan (which is hard to do), it will last you for many years with heavy use. Cast iron skillets are a very safe and economical pan for cooking. We love ours! xo, Emma
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I accidentally used soap in my cast iron pan?
If you used soap or put it in the dishwasher- don’t worry! Just rinse well, and then season the cast iron again like you did when you bought it. Seasoning is baking a thin layer of oil into the pan.
What is the best cleaning solution for cast iron?
Water! You don’t need (and should not use) soap to clean a cast iron. Simply use water and a scrub brush, or for a big mess use some course salt and oil to scrub away to residue and then rinse with water.
How to fix a rusty cast iron pan?
If your cast iron rusts, just scrub/rinse the rust off and rub with oil. It’s not ruined!
More Cleaning Tips:
- How to Clean Brass
- How to Paint Plastic
- How to Care for Monstera Plants
- How to Clean Makeup Brushes
Cast Iron Recipes:
- Stuffed Crust Pizza
- How to Broil Steak
- Giant Skillet Brownie
- Skillet Cookies
- Cornbread
- Sweet Potatoes and Bacon Hash
