3 Ways to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet by Erica (The Pioneer Woman)

Cast iron is definitely my favorite cookware. You don’t have to worry about chemicals leaching into your food. It’s naturally nonstick if properly cared for. It retains heat very well.

But when I first started cooking with cast iron, I was a bit mystified as to how one is supposed to clean it. Over the years I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that streamline the washing-up process.

Here are 3 ways to clean your beautiful cast iron skillet.

Method #1

This method is best for lightly soiled pans. Begin by pouring a bit of oil into your skillet.

Take a paper towel or dish rag, and rub the pan until clean, wiping out any food pieces.

It’s as simple as that! And since you used oil to clean your pan, it’s all ready for the next time you cook!

Method #2

This method is best for pans that are a bit more soiled, or have food lightly stuck to them.

Begin by sprinkling an abrasive agent into your skillet. You can use coarse sea salt, cornmeal, etc.

Scrub the pan with a paper towel or dish rag. Scrape any food pieces into the trash.

Finish off by rubbing your pan down with oil.

Method #3

This method is best for pans that have food that is really stuck on, or if you cooked something smelly in the pan (like fish).

This is my cast iron cleaning secret weapon: steel wool. It takes gunk off like nobody’s business.

If you’re squeamish about using something as abrasive as steel wool, you can always use a non-scratching scrubbing pad instead.

Let’s get to scrubbing. Put your pan in the sink, run some hot water in it, and scrub off all the stuck-on food. Rinse.

If the food is really cooked on, you can always let the pan soak for a bit. But don’t let cast iron sit in water too long or it will start to rust.

Now, if you wash your cast iron with water, it is imperative that you dry it as soon as possible. Otherwise it will rust, especially if it’s a newer pan.

The best way to dry your pan that I’ve found is to set it over a high flame for a few minutes.

You can, of course, just dry the pan with a paper towel or dish towel, but MAKE SURE you use a dedicated dish towel. Otherwise you will turn your best towels black. Not like I speak from experience or anything.

Let the pan cool for a bit, then pour in some oil.

Rub it into the pan with a paper towel or dedicated dish rag.

So there you have it: three ways to clean a cast iron skillet.

Do you have any tips for easy cast iron cleanup? Share in the comments!