Yes, you can use a little mild dish soap on cast iron; modern soaps won't destroy the seasoning like old lye-based soaps could, but you must always rinse thoroughly, dry completely (preferably with heat), and apply a light coat of oil afterward to prevent rust and maintain the seasoning. The key is that seasoning is a polymerized layer of oil baked onto the pan, which mild soap can't easily strip away, but you need to re-oil after cleaning to keep it protected.
Using soap will not ruin your pan. It is totally fine on enameled cast iron, and on plain cast iron, too. It's not going to destroy your seasoning.
Lightly coat the surface of the pan with a small amount (1t -- 1T) of oil or fat of choice. You don't want too much oil, so wipe any excess oil away with a paper towel. The entire pan should be lightly coated with oil or fat, but not dripping.
All cooking oils and fats can be used for seasoning cast iron, but based on availability, affordability, effectiveness, and having a high smoke point, Lodge recommends vegetable oil, melted shortening, or canola oil, like our Seasoning Spray.
The 6/10 cleaning method is a helpful approach to household cleaning that organizes common chores into six daily tasks and 10 weekly tasks. It also includes a monthly list, five tasks, as well as a quarterly list, six tasks.
Cast iron rusts when exposed to moisture for long periods. A water soak can undo months of seasoning and require a full restoration. Wash quickly with warm water and a soft brush while the pan is still warm. Dry it immediately on low heat until all moisture evaporates.
You shouldn't cook eggs in a cast iron skillet because they tend to stick, especially in new or poorly seasoned pans, leading to frustrating messes and potential damage to the pan's seasoning, though proper preheating, fat, and low-heat techniques can make it possible. The porous surface of cast iron, especially newer ones, grabs eggs, and its excellent heat retention can easily brown or overcook them, making delicate foods like eggs challenging compared to Teflon or stainless steel.
If the rust was only in a few spots, just keep cooking. If it was more widespread over the surface of your pan we recommend to re-season the skillet in the oven.
It may help to heat the pan slightly so the dirt and grease soften. Then, we use sandpaper to sand the cast iron completely bare. It takes some effort, but it's all worth it. If the pan is completely devoid of rust and you only see a grey metal layer, rinse the pan thoroughly under running water.
You should avoid cooking highly acidic foods (tomatoes, wine sauces), delicate fish (tilapia, flounder), and eggs in cast iron, especially if the pan isn't perfectly seasoned, as these can stick or damage the non-stick seasoning, leading to metallic tastes or stuck food. Sticky desserts and strong-flavored foods can also be problematic as cast iron retains flavors.
Avoid ruining the seasoning or worse — destroying your favorite skillet — by following these rules
Cast iron rusts when the iron reacts with moisture and oxygen, creating rust. Cast iron rusts fast if it stays wet; even a few hours can be enough. This is a big problem in busy kitchens with lots of moisture and spills. Leaving your pan near a steamy stove or a damp sink can cause rust.
From a food-safety standpoint, the surface of a cast iron pan during cooking easily reaches upwards of 300 degrees, which is high enough to kill any bacteria that don't get washed away. You will not get sick from maintaining your pan this way.
The 12-12-12 decluttering method, created by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist, is a simple, manageable system where you find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their proper place in a room, totaling 36 items, which helps to quickly reduce clutter without overwhelm and build momentum. It's a quick, repeatable process for any area, focusing on immediate results by tackling trash, donations, and misplaced items in small, achievable steps.
So, what is the 10-20-30 method? Alex explains it best: "Basically what you do is, when you put your baby down for a nap, you do 10 minutes of cleaning, 20 minutes of self-care. The self-care can be anything from journaling, reading, eating." And then do 30 minutes of work/productivity.
How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen: A Step-by-Step Guide
We've paired extra virgin olive oil with garlic for infused dips that scream authenticity, but save it for finishing touches to preserve those peppery notes. Avocado oil steals the show with a smoke point of 520°F refined—yes, the highest smoke point oil around. Unrefined sits at 480°F, still stellar for grilling.
This typically happens when too much oil is used during the seasoning process. To avoid it happening again, make sure the layer of oil on your pan is very thin. It should look like a light sheen, there should not be enough oil for it to run or pool.
I like to run my main users through a few rounds of seasoning every 6 months, give or take. If you notice your cooking surface looks uneven or splotchy, or the seasoning on the handle is wearing down- you can run it through a few rounds of seasoning.