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We are going give you the right tips on How to Clean Cast Iron Skillet. So many do’s and don’ts that it can get confusing. Learn the step-by-step process to clean, dry, and season your cast iron so it lasts a lifetime.
These steps will give you the right way to clean your cast iron skillet. It can get confusing on how to clean your skillet. There are so many do’s and don’ts that it causes people not to use the iron skillet.
I have been loving my cast iron pan so we’re using it every day now, so it doesn’t take long for the cast iron skillet to show some wear and need to be re-seasoned to make it look like new again!
Make sure you check out how to properly season your pan so when it comes time to clean it, your skillet is ready to go.
What's in this post: How to Clean Cast Iron Skillet
Why Cast Iron Needs Special Care?
Unlike stainless steel or nonstick pans, cast iron has a porous surface that holds onto oil and seasoning. Soap can strip it, and water can rust it — but don’t worry! With a few quick steps, you can clean it without damaging the surface.
There really isn’t a wrong way to properly care for your cast iron skillet, other than putting in the dishwasher. As long as you have a good scraper to get the stuck on foods off and a little water, you cast iron will be good as knew.
This easy to clean cast iron cookware is very forgiving even if you do have a few rust spots. As long as you properly season it then you should be able to use it for many years to come.
Supplies Needed
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Scraper
- Paper Towels
How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillets

Step 1 – Remove any grease – Drain any excess grease from the pan.

Step 2 – Add water and heat pan – Add water in the pan and turn the burner to heat it over medium heat.

Step 3 – Scrape pan – Use a wooden spatula, scraper, scouring pad or scrub brush to scrape off any stuck-on food residue still stuck on the grill. You may need to use kosher salt or any coarse salt if the food won’t come off.

Step 4 – Let Pan Cool – Once everything is removed, remove from the heat, drain off the water and let the pan cool. Then rinse the pan thoroughly with cool water.
- Step 5 – Dry – Wipe Dry immediately with a paper towel or you can place on low heat on the stovetop. You skillet will look like a new pan. Place in storage so it ready to use.
Cast Iron Skillet Tips
- Using Soap – Use as little soap as possible when cleaning your cast iron every time you cook. Most times hot water and a scrubber will be sufficient to clean your cast iron skillet.
- Sticky Food – If you find that food is sticking to your skillet, that means that it is time to re-season it. Just follow the steps above regularly to enjoy your cast iron skillet.
- Adding Oil – Only add a thin coating of oil to the skillet with a soft sponge. If you add too much oil, it could cause the pan to be sticky.
What Can Ruin a Cast Iron Skillet
There are several ways that you can ruin a cast iron skillet. It doesn’t mean that it can never be used again. It just means that you will need to season it again thoroughly.
- Putting in the Dishwasher
- Letting the Skillet Soak
- Not using salt to scrub
- Leaving foods caked on
- Not oiling the skillet
- Storing it wet
What is the Best Oil to Season a Cast Iron Skillet
When seasoning your cast iron skillet it is best to season when it is completely cooled. Apply a light coat with about 1 tablespoon of Vegetable Oil. We recommend to not use excessive oil. Start with a small amount.
If you don’t have vegetable oil, you can use canola oil, grapeseed oil, lard or a high quality olive oil or cooking oil. You just want to make sure to use an oil that has a high smoke point, so avoid flaxseed oil and avocado oil.
Reasoning a cast iron skillet is a process called polymerization. When oils or fats are heated at a high enough temperature, they harden on the surface. Check out these helpful tips on what is the Best Oil for Cast Iron Pan.

Frequently Asked Questions
We have actually research this thoroughly and found that mild dish soap does not ruin your hot pan. If you season your cast iron skillet properly then you really won’t need to use a lot of soap. Just a good water no-soap scrub should work.
But if you do have a pan that is really grease, then a little soap and a good scrub is not going to hurt your cast iron skillet. You may need to go back through the steps of seasoning with oil to get it back to a usable skillet.
We recommend cleaning the skillet after each use. It may be as simple is wiping the skillet with a paper towel or rinsing with warm water. Just make sure before you store that it is dried completely.
Drying your skillet ensure that it doesn’t get rusty.
If you have a rusty cast iron skillet, no worries you can easily bring it back to life with these simple tips. First, scrub the rust off with a steel wool. Then run the skillet under water to rinse completely then dry. Coat the skillet with a thin layer oil, inside and outside and place upside down in a preheated oven at 450 degrees and bake for 1 hour. Place a baking sheet under the skillet to catch any excess oil. After an hour, turn the oven off and let the skillet cool completely. If your skillet is not good as new, you may need to repeat the steps.
Easy Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
Easy Stove Top
Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Fajitas
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Best One Pot
47 Best Cast Iron Skillet Recipes
If you try these tips to Clean your Cast Iron Skillet, please leave us a comment on how it turns out. We love to hear from you!
How to Clean Cast Iron Skillet
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 piece paper towel
- 1 scraper
Instructions
- Drain any excess grease from the pan.
- Place a small amount of water in the pan and heat is over medium high heat. Use a scraper to scrape off any food still stuck on the grill.
- Once everything is removed, remove from the heat, drain off the water and let the pan cool.
- Then rinse the pan thoroughly with cool water.
- Dry immediately with a paper towel.
To add to the Cast Iron tips. My grand mother gave me ALL of her cast iron skillets & griddles just before she passed away in 1984 at age of 91 yrs old, (they range from 6″ up to 14″ & two standard griddles). At age of 16 she taught me to cook in all of those skillets. I have made MANY MANY meals in those suckers! She taught me how to pre-treat a new skillet to cleaning the older ones. I am 68 yr old & I am still using them to this day! I have bought new cast iron skillets for all my kids & daughter-in-law & have taught them just like my gramma did. It takes me back & I find my self occasionally day dreaming to the days I was at her stove learning how to cook in them & many of the wonderful recipes I still cook to this day.
How she taught me to re-treat a new skillet was: was it in very hot water. put on stove top to dry bottom, flip over & dry the inside. Cool down, add about 1/4- 1/2″ of vegetable oil in the skillet. Bake pan, skillet, griddle – or whatever cast iron you have, bake at 200-250 degree oven for about 3-4 hrs. Drain dirty oil – repeat it again for another 2-3 hrs. Drain oil, cool, any remaining oil use paper towel to wipe skillet. Store on top of stove or in oven for next use.
Now to clean it: Sort of what you stated above, but she did, scrap any scrapes from skillet & then run very hot water in it for a few seconds, then put more very hot water in skillet to soak. She soaked it long enough to wash rest of dinner dishes. Then took the skillet, drained the dirty water, used a metal scrubber (not a Brillo pad or any with soap on it), clean it well. Now put it on stove top to on heat, & dry it that way. Let slightly cool, then Drop about a cap full or so of oil in pan, take a paper towel & wipe oil in warm pan & along top edge & part of the handle. I have done this method all these years & like I said, I still have her cast iron skillets/griddles. Yes, they are warn, but warn with lots of love & great meal prepared in them ๐