How to clean a cast iron skillet

The proper way to clean a cast iron skillet takes three steps: wash it with warm, soapy water and a stiff brush, dry it completely with a towel or paper towel, then rub a paper-thin layer of oil over the entire surface before putting it away.

The old rule about never using soap on cast iron is outdated — modern dish soaps are mild enough that they won’t damage the seasoning. The real enemies are moisture and long soaks. Water left sitting on the surface triggers rust, which is why you should never put cast iron in the dishwasher or leave it in the sink to soak. For stuck-on food, scrape it with a metal spatula or a pan scraper while the pan is still warm, then scrub with a nylon brush under running hot water.

Once it’s clean and dry, heat the pan on the stove for a minute to evaporate any remaining moisture, then apply a thin layer of oil (vegetable, canola, or flaxseed all work) with a paper towel. Wipe off as much as you can — the goal is a barely-there sheen, not a sticky pool. This seals the surface and prevents rust until your next use. If rust does appear, scrub it off with steel wool, wash, dry, oil, and the pan is back in service.

A reliable cast iron care kit is a small investment that makes this easier: cast iron care kit.