How To Clean A Cast Iron Skillet Without Dish Soap Using One Handy Tool

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Cast iron cookware has been in use for centuries and remains hugely popular today. Professional and home chefs alike swear by it, but you need to know how to take care of a cast iron pan, especially when it comes to cleaning. You may already know that it's perfectly fine to clean your cast iron with soap (as long as you re-season it properly), but for stubborn, stuck-on messes, even dish detergent may not cut it. That's why every cast iron skillet owner should consider investing in a chainmail scrubber.

Sometimes, your cast iron skillet gets messy enough that you need something more than soap. That's where a chainmail scrubber comes in handy. It's exactly what it sounds like: a small sheet of chainmail (yes, like the armor) that you use to scour a surface clean. Chainmail scrubbers are ideal for cast iron, especially for scraping off that caked-on carbon layer that nothing else seems to remove. And because cast iron is harder than the steel chainmail, you don't need to worry if you're making a cleaning mistake that will ruin your cast iron pan.

Priced at $17.99,  The Ringer is a popular option on Amazon with over 20,000 reviews. The Lodge's Chainmail Scrubbing Pad is another top-rated pick that's priced at $24.90. It features a layer of chainmail around a silicone core for easy gripping. You don't need soap to use a chainmail scrubber, but you will need water. Once your skillet is no longer hot, add warm water and scrub it with the chainmail. It works easily into the corners of the pan, and after cleanup, you can wash the scrubber by hand or put it in the dishwasher. The stainless steel links should also last just as long as your cast iron cookware.

You don't need to scour your cast iron skillet with chainmail after every use, only when it needs a good scrubbing to remove caked-on messes. However, there are other ways to clean your cookware without dish soap if you're not ready to commit to a chainmail scrubber just yet. One traditional soap-free method for cleaning cast iron requires something you probably already have: salt.

Two tablespoons of this kitchen staple can work as a mild abrasive, letting you scrub your cast iron cooking surfaces clean with just a little elbow grease. Some people just use a paper towel or kitchen rag with the salt to scrub away the mess, but a stiff nylon-bristled brush is arguably more effective for hard buildup. You can also try baking soda (another mild abrasive) with some boiling water. Just remember to thoroughly dry and re-oil your cookware after cleaning to prevent your cast iron from rusting and maintain its non-stick seasoning.