How To Clean An Iron Skillet

Cleaning and Caring for Your New Iron Skillet

The first and most important step is seasoning your skillet! Don’t worry, we’ll dive deeper into that magic in another post, but here’s the gist: seasoning is like giving your skillet its own shield. Essentially, you rub a little oil on and heat it up, the oil transforms into a thin, hard coating that not only prevents rust (because cast iron can rust quickly) but also gives your pan those awesome nonstick powers. 

Once you’ve got that first layer of seasoning on, the real fun begins—cooking! The more you use your skillet, the better it gets. Fry up some bacon, sear a steak, sauté those veggies, and with every meal, you’re adding more seasoning layers that’ll make your skillet stronger, slicker, and ready for anything. So, the more you cook, the better your pan will become. 

Now… we need to cover how to clean an iron skillet!

How to Clean an Iron Skillet After Cooking

Let’s start with a simple truth we can all agree on: a dirty iron skillet needs some TLC. But how do you clean this seasoned beauty without ruining its magic? Here’s where the “soap myth” comes into play. You’ve probably heard the advice, “Never use soap!”—the reasoning being that soap will wipe out all the hard-earned seasoning you’ve built up over time. Not entirely true!

Most dish soap will tell you it’s great at removing baked-on grease and grime, so it makes sense to think it will remove that great layer of seasoning you have worked hard to build up over time (which, let’s face it, is basically baked-on fat). Plot twist: that seasoning has endured a superhero transformation called “polymerisation,” which means it’s no longer just fat—it’s a tough, durable coating that won’t wash away with a little soap. Most soaps are gentle enough not to make a difference to your seasoning, so no need to panic. Your skillet is one resilient piece of cookware!

Step 1: Wash the Iron Skillet Well

Once you’re done cooking and your pan has cooled down, you can wash your iron skillet in warm soapy water, wiping it with a kitchen sponge. For any stubborn burnt-on bits, use a synthetic scrubber that you find on the back of kitchen sponges as these are not as harsh as steel wool. If it still doesn’t budge, pour salt over the burnt bits and set it over high heat. Carefully rub the charred bits with paper towel. Salt acts like an abrasive that won’t affect your seasoning. Rinse the pan well with warm water. 

Step 2: Dry the Iron Skillet Thoroughly

Your iron skillet and water are not friends! It really doesn’t like to sit around wet, so after washing, dry it thoroughly with a tea towel. If you’re feeling extra, pop your skillet over a high flame for a few minutes. That’ll make the water evaporate faster, leaving your skillet completely dry.

Step 3: Oil Lightly and Heat

Before you put your iron skillet away, you need to prime it, it’s an added layer of seasoning before you put it away. Rub the pan very lightly all over with unsaturated cooking fat, you can use vegetable, canola or corn oil. Buff away any greasiness with a paper towel so your iron skillet almost doesn’t look like you have oiled it.

Place your skillet over a burner set on high heat for a few minutes, until the pan is heated and slightly smoking. Be sure to complete this final step. Some people oil the skillet without the heating process which will leave your skillet sticky and rancid.

Care Tips for Rusty or Damaged Iron Skillets

If you have been lucky to come across a vintage iron skillet or your old pan has grown rusty or damaged, it can be salvaged. Cast iron is strong and with a little effort and know how you can get it back to new.

The easiest product to use is an oven cleaner. Simply spray the foam all over your iron skillet, seal it in a heavy duty bag and let it sit for 24 hours. Using a heavy duty scrubber, remove the seasoning and strip the pan to its original surface. You’ll know all the seasoning has been removed by the gunmetal gray colour of your iron skillet. You may need to repeat this process.

You may find you still have rust left on your pan, to remove the rust place your iron skillet in distilled vinegar for up to 12 hours. Do not exceed 12 hours as it will eorde your skillet. Wash in warm water and dry thoroughly.

You’ve been busy whipping up magic in the kitchen, so why not let someone else handle the cleaning? You deserve a break! Call Simply Spotless today and let our cleaning professionals work their sparkly magic around your home.