I Just Learned About the Simplest $1 “Magical” Trick for Cleaning a Cast-Iron Skillet (It’s Hiding in Your Pantry!)
Cast iron pans are popular for their durability and heat retention, which make them perfect for breads, one-pan dinners, and even eggs. They’re also notoriously hard to clean (especially if they’re rusty) and need proper care to maintain their seasoning, which protects the iron and makes it nonstick. To get more information on cleaning cast iron, I spoke to a handful of experts and found some brilliant tricks to keep yours in perfect shape. The next time you need to clean your cast iron pan, you won’t have to worry about a thing.
1. Chainmail Scrubber
Brandon Moore, founder of Lancaster Cast Iron, says using a chainmail scrubber is the best way to clean a cast iron pan. He notes that it’s especially good for “food that is stuck to your cookware. It’s stout enough to remove stuck-on food, but not so rough that it removes the seasoning.”
PIBC Cast Iron Cleaner
Amazon
$7.99
2. Salt
Marla Mock of Molly Maid says sprinkling salt on your cast iron pan is the magic (and cheap!) trick you never knew about. The amount of salt you use is only a few cents worth. “You should always clean your cast iron skillet after every use,” she says. “First, rinse the skillet with warm water, then take a sponge or stiff brush to scrub and remove any food crumbs. Sprinkle some coarse salt on the skillet for extra scrubbing power. Salt is a non-abrasive way to remove any rust that won’t ruin the skillet itself. Once all food crumbs are removed, rinse the skillet with warm water and let it dry completely.”
365 by Whole Foods Market Sea Salt
Amazon
$3.29
3. Grapeseed Oil
Mock swears by this oil hack to prevent your cast iron pan from rusting: “After you’ve cleaned the skillet and let it dry completely, take some grapeseed oil and spread it all over the skillet using a paper towel. Store it upside down to allow proper airflow.” She says oiling your skillet will lightly season the pan for the next time you use it, which helps protect against rust.
Natural Born Oils Grape Seed Oil
Amazon
$11.99
4. Nylon Brush
Jen Nash, head of design at Magnet, says using a nylon versus a more abrasive brush is the way to go when it comes to cleaning your cast iron pan the right way. “Do not use any abrasive materials when scraping your pan, as this can easily damage the coating. Instead, opt for a gentler nylon brush to remove any bits that might still be stuck.”
Amazer Scrub Brush, Pack of 2
Amazon
$9.97
This post originally ran on The Kitchn. See it there: I Just Learned About the Simplest $1 “Magical” Trick for Cleaning a Cast-Iron Skillet (It’s Hiding in Your Pantry!)
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