How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet
Updated: Mar. 29, 2024
Can you use soap on cast iron? We break down just how to clean a cast iron skillet and address everything you should and shouldn't do while taking care of your precious pan.
For some people, prized possessions come in the form of cars or fancy electronics. For me, it’s a fire-engine red 12″ Le Creuset cast-iron skillet. Since I acquired this powerhouse pan, it’s helped me whip up veggie-packed frittatas, pan-seared scallops, homemade rolls and countless chicken dinners. I’m working my way to master cast iron cooking with our guide.
The all-in-one pan has been my go-to kitchen tool, so I’m sure to treat it with extra care. This includes learning how to properly clean my cast-iron.
What Makes Cleaning Cast Iron Special?
Part of what makes cast iron so great for cooking is that layer of seasoning it gets after regular use. Seasoning is basically a layer of oil baked onto the pan’s surface. Each time you cook with oil or fat, the seasoning will build. Eventually, it makes the pan nearly nonstick.
Unfortunately, that hard-earned seasoning can come off in the wash, so it’s important to be gentle when cleaning up. Here’s how to clean a cast iron skillet—plus a few do’s and don’ts as you go.
How to Clean a Cast-Iron Skillet
Step 1. Rinse your skillet after use
After your cast iron has cooled down a little bit (you don’t want to burn your hands!), rinse your cast iron in the sink with warm—never cold—water to dislodge clingy food scraps like eggs, and prevent them from hardening and sticking to the pan. If you don’t want to wait, you can pour a glass of hot water into the pan while it sits on the stove.
Yes—it’s OK to get your pan wet! But do not soak the cast iron skillet. It is not rust-proof! Minimize the amount of times it comes in contact with water. (This means no dishwasher, either!)
Step 2. If you need, use soap, water and a scrubber
Contrary to popular belief, if plain water isn’t doing the trick, you can use a little bit of dish soap to help loosen the stubborn scraps. A little soapy water now and then will help banish stuck-on food and reduce the elbow grease. Use warm water and gentle dish soap and scrub your pan where it needs it.
However, don’t use abrasive scrubbers like scouring pads or steel wool, because it will take off your hard-earned seasoning. Instead, use a brush like a pan scraper or a nylon scrubbing brush. If you’ve got tough residue, using kosher salt as a natural buffer or one of our editor-tested products for cleaning cast iron pans will get those difficult bits right off.
Step 3. Dry your cast iron skillet
Instead of leaving your pan in the rack to dry, wipe it down with a clean rag or paper towel right away. (Don’t use a light towel—the cast iron can stain it.) This will prevent rusting. You can even let your pan dry in the oven.
Editor’s Tip: Reinforce your seasoning after a wash. While the pan is still warm, apply a light coat of vegetable oil with a paper towel. However, don’t let the oil pool! Use another paper towel to soak up the extra liquid.
How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet
Whether you just bought a brand-new cast iron skillet or had to scrub off the rust on your pan, you need to season or re-season your pan before you use it. (Watch this video on how to restore a rusted cast-iron skillet.)
Start with your clean, rust-free pan, and apply a thin coat of vegetable oil to the whole pan—outside and handle included. Bake your cast iron skillet upside down in the oven at 350°F for 1 hour (lay a sheet of aluminum foil on a lower rack to catch potential drips). Once your timer goes off, leave it in the oven to cool. Now you’ve got a seasoned pan! Get more tips on how to season a cast-iron skillet.
When to Replace Your Cast Iron Skillet
The only reason you should consider replacing your cast iron is if it cracks or has chips or holes in the surface due to corrosion or improper cleaning techniques.
But once it is time to replace your cast iron skillet, go for one of our picks for the best cast-iron pans under $50. Or, check out these other pieces of cast-iron cookware, such as Dutch ovens, grill pans and woks.
By following our tips, you’ll take perfect care of your cast-iron skillet pan. These pans are extremely durable. With a little care, they’ll last you a lifetime!
Our Favorite Recipes to Cook in Cast Iron
I found this strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe on a box of Quaker Oats about 20 years ago. It's quick, and easier to make than pie. It's versatile, too, because you can add strawberries in spring or apples in fall. I usually pop it into the oven shortly before we sit down to eat so it's still warm for dessert! —C.E. Adams, Charlestown, New Hampshire
One-Skillet Pork Chop SupperMy husband, Clark, and I reserve this recipe for Sundays after the grandkids have gone home and we're too tired to prepare a big meal. It's comforting and quick. —Kathy Thompson, Port Orange, Florida
Skillet Banana FrittersThis delicious banana treat is sure to be a hit in your home. They are so yummy served with ice cream on the side. For an extra special treat, add chocolate syrup!—Sharon Yonts, Scottsboro, Alabama
Sicilian Brussels SproutsI love to make this dish because the flavors jumping around in your mouth keep you coming back bite after bite. Other nuts can be used in place of the pine nuts. — Marsha Gillett, Yukon, Oklahoma
Apple TartFor 15 years my husband, daughter and I owned and operated an apple orchard, where we raised 27 variations of apples on 2,200 trees. This easy apple tart recipe is my personal favorite. My family even prefers this wonderful dish with tart apples over traditional apple pie. I hope you enjoy it, too. —Marilyn Begres, Dexter, Michigan
Classic Red Beans N RiceAfter living where Cajun cooking is common, we rely on this staple dish. Even If you've never tried red beans and rice, you'll like this recipe! —Jackie Turnage, New Iberia, Louisiana
Farmhouse Pork and Apple PieI've always loved pork and apples together, and this recipe combines them nicely to create a comforting main dish. It calls for a bit of preparation, but my family and I agree the wonderful flavor is well worth the effort. —Suzanne Strocsher, Bothell, Washington
Banana Skillet Upside-Down CakeMy grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee
Berry Bliss CobblerA little bit sweet, a little bit tart, topped off with golden, sugar-kissed biscuits, this cobbler is summer perfection. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Fried Sweet Potato PiesWith my dad being a farmer who grew them, sweet potatoes have graced our table for as long as I can recall. This recipe, however, resulted from an experiment for a church bake sale when we had excess pastry. People couldn't get enough of these pies! —Marilyn Moseley, Toccoa, Georgia
Turkey Biscuit StewThis chunky stew makes a hearty supper, especially in the fall and winter. It's also a great way to use extra turkey during the holidays. —Lori Schlecht, Wimbledon, North Dakota
Milk CakeThis is a simple recipe—and especially easy in a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. The result is a deliciously light, airy cake. —Suzanne Coelman, Rabun Gap, Georgia
Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted PotatoesA few ingredients and 30 minutes are all you’ll need for this incredibly satisfying meal. A simple basil butter gives the steaks a very special taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Country Potato PancakesThese potato pancakes are really versatile. They can be a side dish for just about any meal or the main course for a light meal. Potato pancakes go particularly well with pork. We have them often at our house. —Lydia Robotewskyj, Franklin, Wisconsin
Pinwheel Steak PotpieOn cool nights, nothing hits the spot like a steaming homemade potpie—especially one you can get on the table fast. The pinwheel crust on top has become my signature. —Kristin Shaw, Castleton, New York
Caraway Seed Rye BreadMy parents were immigrants from Czechoslovakia and my mother would pull out this rye bread recipe when guests came over for dinner. Every time I bake it, I get nostalgic for those days. —Millie Feather, Baroda, Michigan
Country Ham and PotatoesBrowned potatoes are a simple but perfect side for country ham. Not only do the potatoes pick up the flavor of the ham, but they look beautiful! Just add veggies or a salad and dinner’s done. —Helen Bridges, Washington, Virginia
Apple-Honey Dutch BabyI love to make this treat on Sunday morning. It's so impressive when it's served warm right out of the oven, and the honey and apple filling is yummy. —Kathy Fleming, Lisle, Illinois
Skillet Zucchini and SausageI lived on the Oregon coast for 20 years and had plenty of guests dropping by. I often turned to this quick and easy dish, serving it up with skillet cornbread or garlic bread. Judging by the requests for the recipe, everyone loved it! —LaBelle Doster, Vancouver, Washington
Grandma Pruit's Vinegar PieThis historic pie has been in our family for many generations and is always served at our get-togethers.—Suzette Pruit, Houston, Texas
Country CorncakesAlthough we live in a suburban area, we are lucky to have plenty of farms nearby where we can purchase fresh corn. But, when it's out of season, I substitute canned or frozen corn in this favorite recipe. —Anne Frederick, New Hartford, New York
Meatball Chili with DumplingsMy family enjoys this delicious recipe—it's like a spicy meatball stew with dumplings!—Sarah Yoder, Middlebury, Indiana
Baked Peach PancakeThis dish makes for a dramatic presentation. I usually take it right from the oven to the table, fill it with peaches and sour cream and serve it with bacon or ham. Whenever I go home, my mom (the best cook I know) asks me to make this. —Nancy Wilkinson, Princeton, New Jersey
Grandma's Cornbread DressingGrowing up, we didn’t have turkey. We had chicken, chopped and baked in my grandmother’s dressing. Now we leave out the chicken and keep the cornbread dressing. —Suzanne Mohme, Bastrop, Texas
Kielbasa Cabbage SkilletSpicy kielbasa sausage and plentiful cabbage and potatoes give this dish a pleasing Old World flair. My husband never liked cabbage before I made this, but now he does! —Romaine Wetzel, Ronks, Pennsylvania
Skillet Steak SupperWith all the ingredients cooked in one skillet, this steak dish couldn't be quicker to prepare—or to clean up! But the wine and mushroom sauce makes it seem special. —Sandra Fisher, Missoula, Montana
Spiced Pineapple Upside-Down CakeI often bake this beautiful cake in my large cast-iron skillet and turn it out
onto a pizza pan. —Jennifer Sergesketter, Newburgh, Indiana
Farmers BreakfastStart off your day on a hearty note. This one-dish wonder will easily keep your busy family satisfied until lunch. —Jeannette Westphal, Gettysburg, South Dakota
Cinnamon-Sugar Apple PieCinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York
Country-Style Scrambled EggsI added a little color and flavor to this country scrambled eggs recipe by adding some green pepper, onion and red potatoes. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio
Oven Swiss SteakI was really glad to find this recipe since it's a great way to use round steak and it picks up fabulous flavor from one of my favorite herbs—tarragon. I am a homemaker with three children and enjoy cooking tasty dinners like this one for my family.
—Lorna Dickau, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
Apples 'n' Cream PancakeThis cozy recipe is delicious for breakfast or brunch. I usually make a double batch because everyone wants more! With our own orchard, we have plenty of Delicious and Winesap apples—they make this a true midwestern meal. —Ruth Schafer, Defiance, Ohio
Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with PotatoesThis is a meal I have my students make in our nutrition unit. It has a delicious lemon-herb flavor and is simple to make. —Mindy Rottmund, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Herbed Rice PilafThis savory side dish has been a family favorite for years. Our 12-year-old daughter, Jennifer, is an expert with this recipe, which is a great help for a busy working mom like me. We sure enjoy this rice dish in the summer with a grilled entree. —Jeri Dobrowski, Beach, North Dakota
Mom's Fried ApplesMom often made these rich, cinnamon-sugar apples when I was growing up. It's a trip down memory lane when I make them. The recipe is very dear to me. —Margie Tappe, Prague, Oklahoma
Skillet Herb BreadWe had a lot of family get-togethers while I was growing up. My grandmother, aunts and mom were all good cooks, and each had her own specialty when it came to bread. Mom's was my favorite—she created this recipe more than 40 years ago. The flavors call to mind the taste of cornbread stuffing! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California
Originally Published: October 20, 2021
