How to Clean Cast Iron Pan

‘How to clean my cast iron pan?’ is probably one of the most common questions asked when someone gets a new cast iron skillet or one that has been passed down. It really isn’t as complicated as everyone makes it out to be, and I promise, it won’t ruin the skillet to give it a good washing if it is done correctly.

Here are my simple steps and tips to keeping a cast iron skillet clean and ready to use.

cleaning a cast iron skillet with soap and water

Wash

Step one is to wash your pan. Whether you have just cooked a delicious, sweet skillet cookie, or a nice steak, give your pan a good wash in warm water and soap. Yes, I said soap. It is fine to wash a cast iron skillet with soap, I prefer Dawn dish soap. I really love this scrubber to get up stubborn food from the pan.

rinsing out a cast iron skillet with water

Rinse

After you get all of the leftover food cleaned out of your cast iron skillet, give it a good rinse with warm water.

drying a cast iron skillet with a paper towel

Dry

Next, wipe the cast iron skillet dry with a paper towel or clean, lint-free kitchen towel. Make sure to dry it on the inside, outside, sides, and handle.

Heat and Oil

Lastly, place your cast iron back on the burner over medium heat to get it completely dry and pour a small amount of oil (canola, vegetable, or avocado) into the skillet. Carefully rub the oil all over the pan with a paper towel.

⭐️ I like to keep my pan oiled for daily use, if you don’t use your pan often, you can oil before use.

FAQs

Can I use soap to wash my cast iron?

The quick answer is YES! It is ancient history that you cannot wash a cast iron skillet with soap. The soap made these days does not contain lye that would strip away the coating on cast iron, so it is safe and recommended to use soap to wash your cast iron skillet.

Should I soak my cast iron to get stuck food off the pan?

No, I do not recommend soaking your cast iron skillet. An easy way to get stuck on food out of your skillet is to place it on a burner over medium heat, then pour in enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bits of food from the bottom of the skillet. Once the food is loosened and the pan has cooled, pour out the water and continue to wash as instructed above.

What should I use to clean my cast iron?

I don’t recommend using steel wool or a metal sponge unless you need to remove rust from the skillet. I like to use a bamboo scrubber or a cast iron scrubber.

What kind of oil should I use?

I recommend using an oil that has a high smoke point like, canola, vegetable, grapeseed, shortening, or avocado. Only a small amount of oil is needed to season the skillet.

Watch as I Wash My Cast Iron in the Video Below

Things I Recommend for Cast Iron Cooking

12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet– this is my most used skillet in my kitchen, it is easy to cook in and clean.
Stargazer Skillet– this is a lighter weight cast iron skillet that is also utilized in my kitchen.
Fish Turner Spatula– this is a great spatula for everything from pancakes to fish.
Cast Iron Griddle– this is perfect for pancakes, hamburgers, steaks or really anything you are cooking.
Silicone Handle Cover– handle covers are great for covering the hot handles of your cast iron skillets.