How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet (and Keep It Seasoned)

To clean a cast iron skillet, wash it while it is still warm with hot water and a brush or sponge. A small amount of mild dish soap is fine on a well-seasoned pan. Scrub stuck food with coarse salt, dry the skillet completely on the stove, then rub in a very thin layer of cooking oil. Never let it soak or go in the dishwasher.

Quick Summary

• Clean while the pan is warm, not scorching hot.
• Use hot water, a brush, and a little soap if needed.
• Scrub stuck bits with coarse salt or a chain-mail scrubber.
• Dry immediately and completely, ideally over low heat.
• Wipe on a thin coat of oil, then wipe off the excess.
• No soaking, no dishwasher.

What Is Seasoning?

Seasoning is a layer of oil that has been baked onto the iron until it bonds to the surface. It gives cast iron its natural non-stick quality and protects it from rust. Regular cooking and proper care help maintain that layer.

Can You Use Soap on Cast Iron?

Yes, a little mild dish soap is fine on a well-seasoned pan. The old rule against soap dates back to when soaps were much harsher. Today’s dish soap will not strip polymerized seasoning with normal use. What does damage cast iron is soaking, the dishwasher, and leaving it wet.

Everyday Cleaning: Step by Step

1. Let it cool slightly. Warm is ideal. Pouring cold water on a very hot pan can cause cracking or warping.
2. Wipe out excess food and grease with a paper towel.
3. Rinse with hot water and scrub with a stiff brush or non-scratch sponge. Add a drop of dish soap if it is greasy.
4. Tackle stuck bits (see below).
5. Rinse and dry right away with a towel.
6. Heat dry. Put the skillet over low heat until the moisture is gone, then turn off the burner. Use an oven mitt for the handle.
7. Oil lightly. While warm, add a few drops of neutral cooking oil and rub it all over the cooking surface with a paper towel. Then wipe it again until it looks almost dry. Too much oil turns sticky.
8. Store in a dry place. If you stack pans, put a paper towel between them.

How to Remove Stuck-On Food

• Coarse salt scrub: sprinkle kosher salt in the pan with a little water or oil and scrub with a paper towel or brush. Rinse.
• Chain-mail scrubber: use gentle pressure on stubborn bits; follow the pan maker’s care instructions.
• Simmer water: add a little water to the pan, bring to a simmer for a few minutes, then scrape gently with a wooden spatula.

Avoid steel wool for routine cleaning. Save it for rust removal.

How to Fix Rust

Rust happens if the pan stays wet. It looks bad but is usually fixable.

1. Scrub the rusty spots with steel wool until you reach bare metal.
2. Wash with warm, soapy water and dry completely on the stove.
3. Rub a thin layer of oil over the entire pan, inside and out, including the handle.
4. Wipe off the excess so it looks almost dry.
5. Bake it upside down in the oven at a high temperature, around 450 to 500°F, for about an hour. Put foil or a sheet pan on the rack below to catch drips.
6. Let it cool in the oven. Repeat once or twice for a stronger coat.

Open a window. Seasoning can create some smoke.

How to Fix Sticky Cast Iron

A sticky surface means too much oil was left on. Bake the pan upside down at a high temperature for an hour to finish curing the oil, or scrub it back and re-season with thinner coats.

Best Oils for Seasoning

Common choices include vegetable oil, canola oil, shortening, and flaxseed oil. Neutral oils with a higher smoke point are easy and affordable. The thin application matters more than the specific oil.

Cooking Tips That Protect Seasoning

• Cook fatty foods like bacon, cornbread, and seared meats often in a new pan to build seasoning.
• Limit long simmers of acidic foods like tomato sauce in newer pans.
• Preheat the pan gradually.
• Use a little oil when cooking.

What Not to Do

• Do not soak it in the sink.
• Do not put it in the dishwasher.
• Do not let it air dry.
• Do not store food in it.

Love cooking in cast iron? Plan ahead with our guide to meal prepping for the week. And if your kitchen sink is draining slowly after all that cleanup, try these tips on how to unclog a drain without chemicals.

FAQ

Does soap ruin cast iron?

No. A small amount of mild dish soap is fine on a seasoned pan. Avoid soaking.

How often should I re-season cast iron?

Wiping on a thin layer of oil after each use maintains it. Do a full oven re-seasoning if you see rust or dull, patchy spots.

Why is my cast iron sticky?

Too much oil was left on during seasoning. Bake it again at a high temperature to finish curing it.

Can I cook eggs in cast iron?

Yes, once the pan is well seasoned. Preheat the pan and use enough fat.