How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet

Co-authored by Kadi Dulude

Last Updated: October 8, 2024 Approved

Seasoning a cast iron skillet is necessary to create a non-stick surface and prevent rust. To preserve this seasoning, you need to take special care when cleaning. ^{[1]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} With proper care, your cast iron skillet will improve with age and use, becoming a beautiful centerpiece of your cooking and, indeed, your kitchen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Skillet the Traditional Way

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^{[2]
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James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} If your skillet is still hot, this is the best time to clean it. If your skillet has a distinct "lip" so that it holds water, you can pour water directly onto the hot pan--something you should not do with other kinds of cookware. It will hiss and steam dramatically, but this is fine. Take care not to get too close to the hot steam lest you risk a burn. Rinse it out once to remove many of the large pieces of food. Then fill it again so that the water fills the cooked on area.The exact amount is not important. ^{[3]
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Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.} If your skillet still needs cleaning, or is cold, you can heat the pan up again. Carefully place the cast iron skillet back on the burner and heat the water up until it reaches a boiling point. Boil the water for several minutes to help dissolve food scraps.

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Do this while the water is still boiling, but only briefly and gently. ^{[5]
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Expert Source

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.} Too much contact with metal objects risks stripping the pan's seasoning. ^{[6]
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4
Dump the dirty water in the sink. Return the cast iron skillet to the burner and turn the burner off.
- Use caution when transporting the skillet back and forth between the range and the sink. Because cast iron is an excellent conductor of heat, the handle, as well as all other portions of the skillet, will be extremely hot. Use a cloth or oven mitts to transport the skillet.
If done correctly, the bottom of your paper towel should contain a dark layer of residue. ^{[7]
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Expert Source

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.} Vegetable sprays work especially well for this purpose. Apply or spray a dab of fat into the bottom of the pan; with a paper towel, wipe the fat into the bottom and the sides of the pan. This process should turn the pan's surface into a smooth, glossy finish. ^{[9]
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Cover with a paper towel instead of a lid to prevent moisture from building up inside the pan. ^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning with Potatoes and Baking Soda

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1
Cut a raw potato in half or lengthwise, depending on the size of your skillet. Larger skillets may require you to cut the potato lengthwise for more surface area.
- This method of cleaning your cast iron pots and pans works great for tackling rust.
The baking soda is both a slight abrasive and a light but effective cleaner. Baking soda is renowned as a natural cleaning ingredient.
Scrub the bottom of the pan, as well, as the sides. If the potato gets too slick, simply cut a slice off of it and apply another coating of baking soda. ^{[11]
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Season your pan after cleaning . You'll probably need to re-season your pan after cleaning it with a potato and baking soda.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Methods That Do Not Help Clean a Cast Iron Skillet

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Soaps and detergents are great at cleaning most cookery, but they should be avoided when it comes to cast iron pots and pans. The sulfides in most detergents bind to the oils in the skillet and strip them, leaving your skillet as naked and vulnerable as it was on the first day of its life. ^{[12]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} It still can be re-seasoned, but it ends up being more work than necessary. ^{[13]
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^{[14]
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Research source} Different process, but same reasons. This process can eat through the non-stick coating you've created and promote rust. ^{[15]
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James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}
While steel wool is effective at removing food and other buildup, it cuts right through the seasoning and forces you to start at square one again. ^{[16]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Far better to stick to the potato method for cleaning (no pun intended). ^{[17]
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Join the Discussion...

Best way to clean cast iron skillet w/o ruining seasoning?

51

WikiGiraffeTamer977

I got a cast-iron pan for my birthday and I've been getting really into cooking with it, but I'm scared of ruining it! I've heard water can ruin... Read More

WikiGladeWhisperer977

Use hot water and a non-abrasive brush or a sponge and just gently scrub away food residue. Honestly I sometimes go weeks without washing my pan... Read More

WikiAxolotlWatcher104

You really don't want to wash cast iron with soap. It removes the seasoning and then you have reseason it by applying a thin layer of oil and hea... Read More

See all 8 Replies and

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Question

Can you clean rust off of a cast iron skillet?

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

To clean rust off of a cast iron skillet, use hot water and baking soda. Let the cast iron skillet sit and soak for five minutes in the solution. After, clean off the solution by scrubbing the cast iron with a sponge.

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Can I use canola oil instead of vegetable oil?

Community Answer

Yes. Canola oil is a vegetable oil, along with peanut, corn, coconut, safflower, etc.

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How do I remove buildup on my cast iron skillet?

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If the buildup is from years of use, I would suggest a lye bath to remove it. Directions for the bath can be found online. Using a lye bath will require that you re-season your skillet.

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Tips

After towel-drying, you can place the damp skillet over low heat on the range or in the oven set at a low temperature to make sure the skillet is thoroughly dry.

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Coating with oil after oven-drying will allow the lubricant to set deeper into the skillet and decrease the risk of rusting during storage.

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If you must wash with soap, make sure to rinse thoroughly and re-season your skillet afterward.

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A very rusty or otherwise corroded cast iron pan may need to be scoured using power tools. This can save nearly any cast iron pan that doesn't have holes in the cooking surface. After power-scouring, immediately season. Now it's ready to use for years and years.
Always coat your skillet with a very thin coat of shortening or vegetable oil before putting it away. Don't use an animal product like lard. It will go rancid.

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Warnings

Avoid putting hot cast iron into cold water. This can cause cast iron to warp or crack.

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Cast iron skillets conduct heat up the handle, so be careful not to burn yourself by touching it with unprotected skin.

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Thoroughly dry any other kitchen equipment that you may store inside your cast iron skillet. A slightly damp pan will rust a cast iron skillet when stacked on top.

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A hot iron skillet looks identical to a cold iron skillet. Always use caution when a pan in on the stove for this reason.

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How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet

Steps

Cleaning Your Skillet the Traditional Way

Cleaning with Potatoes and Baking Soda

Methods That Do Not Help Clean a Cast Iron Skillet

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