Looking back, I've been washing my cast iron skillet wrong for a decade, and the 'aha' moment came when my friend's 80-year-old skillet in Nashville looked brand new.

I was scrubbing mine with soap after every use (like a regular pan, you know) until I saw hers, seasoned perfectly, and she just wiped it out with a paper towel and a pinch of salt, which made me wonder how many other everyday things I'm doing the hard way.

3 comments

3 Comments

benclark2mo ago

Stopped using soap on my cast iron years ago after a similar shock. Now I just scrape it clean with hot water and a stiff brush, dry it on the stove, and give it a super thin coat of oil. The seasoning built up way faster and nothing sticks anymore. It feels like a totally different pan. That salt trick is great for stuck on bits, I use it too.

shanem372mo ago

Oh man, the soap thing is such a universal trap. I did the same exact thing for years, convinced I was being hygienic while slowly murdering my seasoning. It's wild how we overcomplicate stuff that basically wants to be left alone with some grease. That pan is basically a pet rock that you cook on.

reese1242mo ago

Totally fell for that soap trap too. Switched to just hot water and a brush and my pan's never been better, right?