How to Clean Cast Iron Skillets

Do you have questions about how to clean cast iron skillets yourself? Should you use soap? How do you properly season it? And does it go in the dishwasher? We've got answers to these questions and more on our discussion boards, projects, and video tutorials. Hometalk can help you keep your cast iron skillet in tip top shape.

The Secret of How to Clean Cast Iron in Four Easy Steps

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The Secret of How to Clean Cast Iron in Four Easy Steps

Clean and Season a Skillet

Start with baking soda

Sprinkle baking soda into your skillet and add a small cup of water. Use a copper scouring pad to remove rust and grime.

Rinse and dry thoroughly

Once you’ve cleaned the skillet, dry with a paper towel. Make sure there are no wet patches at this stage.

Protect your skillet with oil

Protect your skillet by seasoning it with olive oil. Wipe a thin coat around the entire pan to prevent rust.

Infuse flavor into your skillet

When using oil, after letting the first layer of oil dry, add another. This ensures full coverage and will infuse more flavor into the skillet.

Storing a clean skillet

Hang your skillet from a rack if possible. By keeping the surface clear, you reduce the risk of wiping away the oily layer of protection.

More cleaning categories

Top Projects for Cleaning Cast Iron Skillets

Take a looking at our top projects on cleaning your cast iron skillet yourself.

Cast Iron Skillet Cleaning Videos

Watch DIY cast iron skillet cleaning videos to clean like a pro.

How to Season and Maintain a Cast Iron Skillet
How to Season and Maintain a Cast Iron Skillet

We got these lovely second hand cast iron skillets and I was totally at a lost as to what to do for cast iron skillet care. I wasn’t sure how to clean it, and -- seasoning cast iron?? I had no idea what that even meant. A good friend came to the rescue and showed me how easy it can be to show some love to my cast iron pan. Now we use it all the time and it’s the best way to make eggs, mac & cheese, cornbread and about a billion other things. You should season your cast iron when you first get it, after every use, and if you haven’t used your pan in a long time. All you need to season your pan is cooking oil... Here’s a dirty pan after I made cornbread in it.

Shawna Bailey Shawna Bailey
How to Clean and Reseason a Rusty Cast Iron Pan
How to Clean and Reseason a Rusty Cast Iron Pan

My grandmother always told me you can't clean an iron skillet, no matter what. It's one of those myths passed down from generation to generation. You heard me: it's a myth! It's true that cast iron skillets cant be put in the dishwasher or cleaned with your regular dish soap, but that doesn't mean you can't restore it to its former shining glory. Here I'll show you how to clean and season your old iron skillet in 6 easy steps. Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Shawna Bailey Shawna Bailey

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Cast Iron Skillet Cleaning Projects

Here you'll find the best cast iron skillet cleaning projects on the web today.

Popular Cast Iron Skillet Cleaning Discussions

Check out the popular discussions on the topic of cleaning cast iron skillets.

How do I clean a rusty cast iron skillet?
Jennifer/> Jennifer

Does anyone know how to clean a rusty cast iron skillet? This skillet was my mom's and I use it all the time. Recently I have noticed that it is rusting and I can't seem to get the rust off. I have heard that there's a way to clean a rusty cast iron skillet with salt, but I am not familiar with that.

How do I clean a rusty cast iron skillet?
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How to clean years of baked on grease from iron skillet
Gale/> Gale

It must be 100 yrs old, the perfect size for a family of two. Was my grandmother's. Would like to keep it in the family. How do I clean the cast iron skillet?

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How to restore an old cast iron wood burning stove?
Galdo76/> Galdo76

The story of this stove started in a small town in Mexico. It was in my mother's family and was used to cook on and heat the kitchen when she was a kid. When the home was upgraded and a conventional stove was installed, it was kicked to the curb and was put outside for around 30 years. My mom brought the stove back to AZ a couple years ago and she ended up giving to me (I'm going to lie, that was an emotional day for me. I was a little fearful of the project but also felt honored that she trusted I could do it). It sat in a box in my garage near Nashville, TN with plans on restoring it to look like it did originally. As you can see by the pictures, I'm was committed once it was all taken apart. Getting it sandblasted and painted shouldn't be a problem but I know very little about the manufacturer, where to get parts (specifically the long rods that hold it together) and how to weld/repair cast iron. Hopefully the pictures will show what I did?

How to restore an old cast iron wood burning stove?
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Howw do you clean lime deposit out of cast iron tea kettle?
Suzanne/> Suzanne

We have been using the cast iron kettle on our wood stove every year to help with the dry heat. I have tried every thing to clean it short of blasting powder! I don't think lime a way is a good idea as I would like to use kettle for tea etc.

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Browse Cleaning Cast Iron Skillets

How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet So It'll Last Forever
How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet So It'll Last Forever
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The Secret of How to Clean Cast Iron in Four Easy Steps
The Secret of How to Clean Cast Iron in Four Easy Steps
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