Cast-iron skillets are legendary in the kitchen for a reason. With the right care, they can outlast most of your appliances, often getting passed down from one generation to the next. They’re versatile enough to use on the stove, in the oven or even over an open flame — but their durability depends on how you maintain them.
The biggest mistake people make is treating cast iron like regular cookware. Harsh soaps, steel wool and abrasive cleaners strip away the seasoning layer that gives cast iron its nonstick power. Once that surface is gone, food sticks, rust creeps in and the skillet loses the very qualities that make it special.
Instead, chefs recommend a surprisingly simple tool you probably already have in your pantry: coarse salt. A handful works as a gentle scrub to loosen stuck-on bits without damaging the surface. Used regularly, this trick not only cleans your cast iron but also helps it improve with every meal you cook.
Whatever you do, resist the urge to soak your dirty cast iron or run it through the dishwasher. For really stuck-on bits, a sprinkling of salt will have your skillet looking better than new.
Here’s how to safely clean your cast-iron cookware.
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Should you put cast-iron cookware in the dishwasher?
Wondering if cast iron is dishwasher-safe? The answer is complicated but mostly it’s not. A spin through the dishwasher won’t ruin the pan or render it useless but it will strip that important layer of seasoning and nonstick patina from the surface that you’re working to build over time. In short, it won’t do the pan any favors.
How to clean your cast-iron skillet like a pro
It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to clean a cast-iron pan. You also don’t need to give your pan a full, deep clean after every use. If you’ve only fried an egg or reheated some chicken breast, for instance, a rag soaked in warm water is likely all you’ll need to wipe it clean.
If you’ve just seared something with excess grease or there are stuck-on bits of food hanging out, follow these simple steps and your cast iron will stay clean and continue to hold that beautifully seasoned, nonstick surface.
Clean your cast-iron skillet while it’s still warm
I know — that sizzling pork chop is out of the pan and ready to eat and the last thing you want to do is clean. Trust me, acting fast will make the job easier. Add warm water to the skillet a few minutes after removing it from the heat while it’s still warm — but not scorching hot or you might warp the metal. That quick simmer will go a long way in degunking the pan.
This $20 Oxo brush is tough and especially good for cleaning between the grates of cast-iron grill pans.
Use salt to clean cast iron for stubborn, stuck-on foods
From a glance at your skillet, you should be able to tell what kind of cleaning task you have on your hands. After most uses, a dousing of warm water should do the trick. If things are extra sticky, sprinkle the cast iron with a bit of kosher salt (without water) and scrape it gently with a flat-ended wooden spoon or spatula. Dump the salt and add some water to get things moving.
A quick seasoning after every few uses will keep your cast-iron skillet in great form.
Can you use dish soap on cast iron?
The No. 1 cast-iron cookware cleaning question is whether you can use soap to clean a skillet or grill pan. The answer is yes but you should try not to. A little bit of soap — I mean a real small dab — won’t ruin your cast iron, but certain harsh soaps will erode the nonstick patina and could also affect the flavor your cast iron has developed.
