Cast iron skillets are one of our absolute favorite pans to cook with when we’re in the kitchen. They’re affordable, they can be used for nearly any recipe, they’re kitchen powerhouses that last FOREVER, and you don’t have to worry about any weird chemicals getting into your food from using the pan (in fact, it can even ADD nutrients to your food!). Whether you’ve just purchased a brand new cast iron pan or are looking to revive a family-favorite and well-loved skillet that’s been passed down to you, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate cleaning and care guide to clean a cast iron skillet!
In This Post: Everything You Need For Cleaning a Cast Iron Skillet
Why Cast Iron? How to Clean and Care for Your Cast Iron Skillet How to Season Your Cast Iron Skillet Preventing Rust on Your Cast Iron Skillet Favorite Recipes That Use a Cast Iron Skillet Best Products for Cast Iron Skillets
Why Cast Iron?
That’s fair – it’s a legitimate question! Especially in the age of easy, non-stick, non-toxic, beautiful Instagram-worthy cookware. It might be old-school (like, maybe you literally got a cast iron skillet handed down from your grandmother?), but there’s a reason why it quite literally stands the test of time. Here’s why we love our cast iron:
Versatility: It can go from stovetop, to oven, to grill, to campfire, making it a real one-pot champion. Flavor: We call it “seasoning” for a reason! Over time, your cast iron will only become more and more delicious with every meal. Sear-ability: It’s good for a lot of things, but when you want a good sear on your thinly-sliced meat or sturdy veggies? This is your gal. Longevity: It’s the pan we’ve had the longest relationship with, and it’s never been too far gone in needing a little spiff-up.
How To Clean and Care For Your Cast Iron Skillet
There always seem to be lots of dos and don’ts when it comes to caring for your cast iron pan. Here are some of the best practices for cleaning your cast iron skillet.
How To Clean a Cast Iron Pan After Cooking (Go-To, Everyday Method)
How To Clean A Cast Iron Pan with Crusty Food Stuck On
How To Clean A Cast Iron Pan That is Very, Very Far Gone
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How To Season Your Cast Iron Skillet
Seasoning Your Skillet
To do a thorough seasoning of your cast iron skillet, we suggest the following about 1x/month, depending on how often you use your pan.
A Note on Buying a Pre-Seasoned vs. Unseasoned Skillet
Both pre-seasoned and unseasoned skillets can be purchased when buying your pan. It should clearly list on the packaging what type you’re buying, but you’ll know a cast iron skillet is seasoned when it has a shiny coating on the pan. A pre-seasoned skillet is ready to use straight from the package. An unseasoned skillet should be seasoned before its first use.
Preventing Rust On Your Cast Iron Skillet
Rust! grimaces inside. It can happen when you have a pan made from iron. Here are some tips to prevent that orangey foe from hanging out on your skillet.
Put your cast iron pan away thoroughly dry. Any wetness can lead to rust. Avoid soaking your pan in water for long periods of time. Season your pan with oil after each use. Minimize cooking highly acidic foods in your pan, like tomatoes, lemon, or vinegar.
If you have rust on your pan you’re looking to do away with, go through a full skillet cleaning and deep seasoning. When cleaning your pan out with salt, it can help to use a cast iron chain scrubber* to remove really stubborn rust.
Products We Love When Using a Cast Iron Skillet
Cast Iron Skillet* (the queen herself) Cast Iron Pan Scraper* (to help get those caked-on bits off your pan) Cast Iron Brush* (an alternative to the scraper above) Cast Iron Chain Scrubber* (helps remove stubborn rust and food) Coconut Oil* (to help season your pan)
Favorite Recipes That Use a Cast Iron Skillet
5-Ingredient Spicy Pork 5-Ingredient Lemon Chicken with Asparagus One Ingredient Socca Sweet Potato Tater Tot Hotdish Greek Baked Orzo Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie with Caramel and Sea Salt
So tell us – what do you love to make in your cast iron skillet?
