This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy.

3 Cast Iron Pan Cleaning Tips And Tricks

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

cast iron pan cooking

How To Properly Clean A Cast Iron Pan

RVers love cooking with cast iron, and no wonder; cast iron pans are versatile, distribute heat evenly, and keep food warm for a long time. 

Cast iron pans can be used on any type of stovetop or to bake or roast food in any conventional oven. Unlike pans made of other materials, cast iron pans can be safely used over a campfire with no danger of destroying its surface. 

Another great advantage of cast iron is that when you care for it properly, it has a non-stick cooking surface. In this article, we’ll look at a few cast iron pan cleaning tips so that your pans will be a joy to cook or bake with for many years to come. 

Sign up for the newsletter today!

Please enter a valid email address.

An error occurred. Please try again later.

× logo

Thank you for subscribing to the Do It Yourself RV newsletter, keep your eye on your inbox for updates.

Advantages of using a cast iron pan

  • Even heat distribution
  • Cast iron holds heat for a longer time than other types of cookware
  • Can be used on the stove or in the oven
  • Using a cast iron pan to bake bread or pizza gives a really nice, crispy outer crust texture
  • A cast iron cookware can last for many years
  • Can be relatively low-cost

Cast iron pan cleaning tips and tricks

Did you know that cast iron cookware was the world’s first non-stick cookware? Your cast iron pan doesn’t ask for a lot in the way of maintenance either. Cast iron pans will last for generations when they’re properly maintained. 

After you use your seasoned cast iron pan, it’s important to remember these tricks for keeping it clean and maintaining that stick-free cooking surface.

1. Never soak a cast iron pan in water

Soaking a cast iron pan in water will errode its seasoned surface and cause food to stick to it when you use it to cook. When the seasoned surface is erroded, you’ll need to season the pan again. 

This isn’t hard to do, but why go there when you can avoid it? Instead of soaking, use a scrub brush or the abrasive side of a scrubbing sponge to loosen any stuck-on food particles.   

2. Use mild dish soap and warm water to clean 

After you’ve removed any stuck-on food particles with a scrub brush or sponge, add a few drops of mild dish soap and a little warm water. Use a scrubbing sponge to gently clean any remaining cooking oil and loosened food. 

When you’re done, rinse with warm water and dry with a dish towel. Pop the cast iron pan back on the stove on medium low to make sure all the water is evaporated. Turn the heat off.

3. Always oil your cast iron pan after you clean it

This step has to be done while the pan is still hot. You may wish to wear a washable heat-resistant glove, but you can safely oil your cast iron very carefully with a bare hand too. 

Pour a little oil over the bottom. For best results, use canola oil, melted vegetable shortening, or vegetable oil to season your cast iron pan.

Use a wad of paper towels to spread the oil over the bottom of the pan and around the sides. Allow the pan to cool and then wipe out any excess oil. 

Conclusion

Cast iron cookware should always be well seasoned before being used. Cast iron can handle a little mild dish soap, but don’t soak them in water, whether it is soapy or not. The key to cast iron pan cleaning is keeping your cast iron cookware dry and properly seasoned.

One of the best parts about RVing is engaging with the community of traveling enthusiasts. iRV2 forums allow folks to chat with other RVers online, and get other perspectives on everything RVing, including products, destinations, RV mods, and more.

Related articles: