A cast iron skillet does not need a complicated ritual. For everyday care, hand-wash it, remove stuck food without prolonged soaking, dry it completely, and use an extremely thin film of oil when the surface needs protection.
Let the pan cool enough to handle safely
Do not move a screaming-hot skillet straight into cold water. Once it is safe to handle, scrape away loose food with a pan scraper or spatula.
Warm water and a little soap are fine
Lodge says modern dish soap can be used on seasoned cast iron. Scrub with a brush, sponge, or nonaggressive pad and rinse. For stuck food, a pan scraper or a short simmer with a little water can loosen residue.
Do not soak it
Exposed iron can rust. Leaving the pan full of water in the sink, allowing it to air-dry for a long time, or putting it in the dishwasher can strip seasoning and encourage rust.
Dry immediately and thoroughly
Use a towel or lint-free cloth. A few minutes of gentle heat on the stovetop can remove residual moisture. There is no need to overheat an empty pan.
Use less oil than you think
Once dry, a nearly invisible coat of cooking oil can help protect the surface. Wipe off the excess. A sticky finish usually means too much oil was left behind.
Surface rust is repairable
Rust does not automatically ruin a skillet. Lodge recommends scrubbing away the rust, washing and drying the pan, then reseasoning if a significant amount of the protective layer was removed. Steel wool is better reserved for rust restoration than routine cleanup.
Enameled cast iron is different
If your pan is enameled, it does not need seasoning and may have different cleaning instructions. Identify the cooking surface before following advice meant for bare seasoned iron.
The dependable routine is wash, dry completely, and protect. Most cast iron trouble comes from prolonged moisture, not from a small amount of dish soap.
Sources
- Lodge Cast Iron — How to Clean — Warm soapy water, complete drying, light oiling, and rust prevention.
- Lodge Cast Iron — Cast Iron Myths — Mild soap is compatible with seasoned cast iron.