A cast iron skillet has long been a favorite kitchen staple for cooking steak and other meats. Its ability to create flavorful dishes with a crispy sear is difficult to match with other skillets. However, a cast iron skillet needs to be cleaned and maintained after every use to ensure that it can last for as long as you need it to. Improper care, such as scrubbing with harsh detergents or leaving it damp, can strip away its seasoning and even lead to rust, compromising its performance.
This guide walks through the must-know strategies for cleaning and oiling your cast iron skillet. We also highlight common mistakes to avoid and explain how proper maintenance can protect and enhance the natural non-stick surface of a cast iron skillet.
The Basics on How to Clean Your Cast Iron Skillet
It’s essential to clean and maintain your cast iron skillet to keep it in great condition for many years, or even several generations. Unlike other types of cookware, cast iron needs special attention to preserve its seasoning — a thin, non-stick protective layer that boosts cooking performance. If you don’t clean it properly, you risk losing this seasoning, causing rust, and having food stick to the skillet’s surface.
Taking care of cast iron involves three main steps: washing, drying, and oiling the skillet. Each step helps protect the skillet from rust and keeps the important seasoning layer intact. A quick wash gets rid of food particles without removing the skillet’s oils, thorough drying prevents rust, and a light coat of oil keeps the surface seasoned and ready for cooking. With regular care, your cast iron skillet will only get better over time, enhancing flavors and providing an easy-release surface.
Steps
Maintaining a cast iron skillet may feel different than regular cookware, but it’s surprisingly simple once you get the hang of it. Follow these steps to keep your cast iron skillet in A+ condition.
- Wash
After each use, wash your skillet while it’s still warm. This makes it easier to remove any food remnants that get stuck to the surface once they cool. It’s safe to use regular, mild dish soap and warm water to wash your skillet, just as you would other skillets, as long as you take the time to reseason the cast iron.
For more stuck-on bits of food, you can use a small amount of salt as a natural abrasive, which scrubs off food without affecting the seasoning or scratching the surface. You can even use a gentle scrubber, like the scratchy side of a sponge, to remove more stubborn particles.
- Dry
Cast iron skillets and water don’t mix well, so be sure to dry your cast iron skillet immediately after washing it. Use a clean, non-abrasive cloth or paper towel to remove any visible moisture from the surface. For added protection, place the skillet on a stovetop burner over low heat, just for a minute or two, to evaporate any remaining water and help prevent rust from forming.
- Oil
The final step is oiling your cast iron skillet, which helps keep its natural seasoning layer intact. While the cast iron skillet is still slightly warm from the last step, rub a small amount of canola or vegetable oil on the skillet’s inner surface using a paper towel. The goal here is to create a very thin layer of oil that builds up the skillet’s initial protective layer, so you shouldn’t have any excess oil floating around the pan.
Repeat these steps every time you use your cast iron skillet. Once you get the hang of it, the process should only take you a few minutes.
Things NEVER To Do When Cleaning Cast Iron
Now that you know what you should do to clean and maintain your cast iron skillet, here are a few things you should avoid to keep your cast iron skillet in the best shape possible:
- Overuse scratchy cleaners or scrubbing tools: While cast iron skillets can usually handle some scrubbing, especially if you routinely season it afterward, you should avoid anything overly scratchy, like steel wool pads or harsh, abrasive cleaners, to clean your skillet.
- Soak the skillet: Prolonged exposure to water can cause rust to form on a cast iron skillet, potentially damaging its surface and seasoning layer.
- Long cooks with acidic ingredients: Cooking acidic foods like tomatoes or vinegar-based sauces for long periods can erode the skillet’s seasoning, making it vulnerable to rust and reducing its non-stick quality.
- Stack them on top of each other: Place a protective layer, like a paper towel, between cast iron skillets or your cast iron skillet and other pans to protect it from scratches when you store it away.
- Store in a humid place: Humid environments promote rust on cast iron, so be sure to store your skillet away from places that might get humid or damp, like near the steam from a dishwasher.
Can You Ruin a Cast Iron Pan?
Yes, a cast iron skillet can technically be ruined, just like any other type of cookware. However, cast iron is one of the most durable materials for cookware. Proper cleaning and maintenance usually keep it in excellent condition for years to come, so you shouldn’t worry about ruining yours as long as you take care of it.
The main culprits of damage are rust and loss of seasoning. Leaving cast iron in water or a humid environment causes rust, while not remembering to oil the surface after cleaning and drying can lead to loss of the seasoning layer over time. Follow the recommended care steps to avoid future issues with your cast iron pan.
Conclusion
A cast iron skillet can become one of your favorite pieces of cookware when you take care of it properly. From cooking steak to roasting a chicken, a cast iron skillet can bring lots of versatility to your kitchen. Follow the cleaning and maintenance tips we’ve outlined above to prevent yours from rust and other damage and preserve its valuable seasoning layer.