Cast iron skillets are a great addition to any kitchen. Not only are they versatile, but they also last for years if you take care of them properly. One thing that can be a challenge, however, is removing burnt-on food from the skillet.
In this blog post, I will teach you two ways to clean a cast iron skillet to look and perform like new! The first way is the best but requires an extra tool, and the second can be done right away with what you’ve already got in your kitchen.
And unlike many other articles you’ve read, I’m not going to waste your time with some tips that don’t work. These methods are guaranteed to remove even the most stubborn burnt-on food!
The best method for removing burnt-on food.
The easiest way to remove burnt-on food from your cast iron skillet is to buy a chainmail scrubber and scrub your pan with a bit of water. I like the one from Smithey that I linked to above.
- First, pour a bit of water into your cast iron skillet.
- Next, scrub with your chainmail scrubber.
- Lastly, dry the skillet using a paper towel.
This method will take a bit of elbow grease, but it’s the best way to clean your skillet without damaging the seasoning. It’s also much faster than the second method I will share with you.
But if you don’t have a chainmail scrubber, you can still remove burnt-on food from your cast iron skillet using this tried and true method:
The second best way to clean your cast iron skillet.
Combining salt and oil is the second best way to clean a cast iron skillet.
- First, scrub the skillet with salt to remove any burnt-on food or residue
- Next, pour some cooking oil into the skillet and use a paper towel to spread it around evenly
- Put the skillet in the oven on low heat for about an hour
- Let the skillet cool down before wiping it clean with a paper towel
This method still works great and doesn’t require any special tools. However, it will take a bit longer than using a chainmail scrubber.
What if I’m trying to clean a poorly seasoned cast iron skillet?
I recommend using the second method above if you’re trying to clean a poorly seasoned cast iron skillet with years or decades of burnt-on food and crud.
Cleaning a poorly seasoned cast iron skillet is more challenging because the food can easily stick to the pan. However, if you use salt and oil, you should be able to remove most of the burnt-on food after a few “cycles” of this method. It just takes patience and a bit of elbow grease.
Closing thoughts
If you own a cast iron skillet, especially a fancy, pre-seasoned one, you’ll want to take care of it so that it lasts for years. Cast ironware is made to last a lifetime, and with the proper care, it will.
I hope this blog post has taught you the best way to clean a cast iron skillet so that you can keep yours in tip-top shape! Do you have any tips for cleaning or seasoning a cast iron skillet? Please share them in the comments below!
Great! Thank you!
Hello Chad. I need your help please. I bought my first piece of cast iron, a grill pan. The first time I used it I did everything wrong: 1.) the recipe called for high heat so the fish was horribly burned; 2.) I didn’t clean the pan right away, I left it until the next day; 3.) I boiled water in the pan to remove the burnt food, left the room, and it boiled dry; 4.) I tried cleaning it a week later and boiled water in it, left the room, and it boiled dry AGAIN! This has led me to believe that I don’t deserve to own cast iron, but I would really like to get this grill pan cleaned. It’s a little harder because it’s not a flat-bottomed pan. Please help me!
It’s probably going to be a giant hassle, but… I suggest buying chainmail like I wrote about, and painstakingly scouring the pan for the debris that burned on. After that, you’ll need to re-season it from scratch.
You can probably salvage this, it’s just going to be annoying.