Our Test Kitchen expert, Tim Hagedorn, loves cooking with cast iron pans. They’re what he reaches for in his home kitchen, especially when he wants a golden, crispy crust on baked dishes or a good sear on a nice cut of meat.
And even though cast iron pans can’t go in the dishwasher, they have a natural nonstick surface that’s easy to clean with a little hot water and a scraper. But should you use dish soap? How do you keep them from rusting? How do you oil the pans, and what cooking oil do you use? We had questions. So, of course, we went to our resident cast-iron devotee for answers.
Tim explains, step-by-step, how to cook, clean, and season cast iron skillets.
Cleaning Cast Iron
- Wash your cast iron with a nylon bristle scrub brush and hot water. If you still have stuck-on bits, use a pan scraper to get them off.
- If the food is extra sticky, simmer a little water in the pan for a minute, then use the scraper after the water has cooled.
- Thoroughly dry the pan right away with a dishcloth or paper towel.
- After the pan is dry, rub the pan with a very light layer of vegetable or canola oil while the cookware is still warm.
- Hang or store your cast iron in a dry place.
How to Remove Rust From Cast Iron
If you’re following the cleaning suggestions listed above, it’s unlikely your cast iron will rust. But if it does happen, it’s ok—you can’t ruin these pans!
Scour the affected area with steel wool, rinse dry, and rub with vegetable oil. If the problem persists, reseason the cast iron.
How to Reseason Your Cast Iron
Reseasoning is a process you shouldn’t have to do very often, but if the pan is very rusty or is looking dull and splotchy, follow these steps:
- Wash the pan in warm water and then dry it.
- With a clean cloth or paper towel, thoroughly rub vegetable or canola oil all over the pan—inside and out. Continue to rub it, so there is no longer a greasy sheen. This step is important because excess oil can pool and form into hardened droplets or become sticky.
- Put the oiled pan upside down in preheated 450°F oven for one hour. Place a sheet pan on the rack below to catch any drips.
- Remove the pan with oven mitts and apply oil thoroughly again, and place back into the oven. Repeat this two–three times.
Cast Iron Cleaning Q&A
What Utensils Can I Use With Cast Iron?
Use any utensils you like, even metal. There’s no chemical coating that the tools can damage.
Can I Use Soap on Cast Iron?
Soap isn’t always necessary, but if you like, a little mild detergent is okay. Stay away from dishwashers and metal scouring pads, which can harm the pan’s seasoning.
How Do I Keep My Pans From Getting Sticky?
Apply oil to a warm pan and don’t over oil your pan. The seasoning will build up over time.
What Type of Oil Should I Use?
Any food-safe cooking oil or shortening will work, but our Test Kitchen experts prefer vegetable oil or canola oil.
What's This Dark Residue I See When I Clean My Cast Iron?
Occasionally, you may notice some dark residue on your paper towel or cloth while cleaning it. The residue is just the seasoning (the baked-on cooking oil) responding to foods that may be slightly acidic (like tomato sauce) or alkaline (like spinach and kale). The residue will disappear with regular use and care.
Tim’s best advice for maintaining the seasoning on your cast iron skillet is to use your pans! Cooking in your cast iron regularly with any cooking oil is a great way to keep them looking great and performing well.
Tim Hagedorn, Pampered Chef Food & Trend Innovator. Tim worked at a number of Michelin-starred, fine-dining restaurants in Chicago before coming to Pampered Chef. He believes that cooking isn’t just about putting food on the table, but learning, exploring, and creating special memories that enrich people’s lives.
do the other non stick skillets have a chemical coating and if yes what is the chemical
Non stick have chemicals on them. Not a healthy choice. Cast iron pans are the best! They deposit iron on your food instead of chemicals like nonstick pan. Once you get a good seasoning on it they become non stick. Cook everything in them including omlets and pancakes.
How do you season and clean an iron pan? Nell Apple
Best thing to do is watch the short video! Explains it all!
Are any chemicals used on surfaces when making them. Also can they all be used on any stove top surfaces? I have a glass top smooth surface.
Yes, I use my cast iron on my glass top all the time. The PC cast iron has a flat bottom, no ridge, so it is awesome for cooking anywhere from glass top stoves to campfires.
I have a customer asking if the skillets are flat and can be used on flat smooth cook tops. She also asked, if they do, will the change with time and heat?
Thank you for your help. I look forward to your answer, and being able to respond to her questions.
Can I use these Cast Iron On an Induction Stove?
Yes cast iron skillets can be used on an induction stove. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out to me!
I have an induction cook too & some of my cheaper lightweight stainless won’t work . The cast iron will ?? I didn’t think it was magnetic
It’s iron… a metal.
Aluminum is also a metal, but not suitable for induction cooking.
Kindness counts.
Yes!
Yes you can.
What is that delicious looking dessert in the 10 in pan?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwv-pMjH3lA&feature=emb_rel_end Pork Chops!
I believe the dessert you are referring to is a Dutch Baby, or German Pancake. So yummy and easy to make.
Can you use these on a glass top stove?
I had seen a question on using on a glass stove top, can you do this?
I have a glass top and use my cast iron all the time
Theresa all of our cookware can be used on a glass stove top. If you’ve got more questions feel free to reach out to me!
We have a glass top stove and my husband uses it all the time without issues.
Yes you can – and like using any cookware, try not to drag it – but indeed, it works well!
I know true cast iron skillets weigh a lot. How much does each one weight?
Brenda, I’m not sure on the exact weight of these skillets but for your knowledge they are true cast iron!
There are two different sizes – but they weigh 5-6 lbs each. They are designed with a handle on either side – so they are much easier to lift and maneuver than the old school ones with just the one long handle.
Stacey you are being so helpful, I appreciate you. I have never used Pampered Chef’s silicone mitts so I have no idea what kind if heat they can handle, just want to be sure they’ll work. Do the silicone mitts protect your hands enough to remove a cast iron pan that is in an oven on broil?
Instructions say to wash new pans before using, wash with soap?or just hot water?
How do I share this on my FB page
Is it OK to cook in the cast iron skillet with olive oil?
I grew up with cast iron and my mom Would dry it by putting it on a the stove. Getting the pans hot then shut off the stove leaving the pan to cool.
What oils were used to preseason the cast iron?
The cast iron are non stick, does that mean they have chemical in them?
Your stainless still products are they coated with a chemical? Last the bakeware is there any coating and/or chemical with those as well?
Can I use a cast iron skillet to broil in the oven?
Absolutely! I have used mine several times under the broiler. 🙂
2 questions please about the 2, 5.5 inch cast iron skillets.
1. How tall are they?
2. How much do they weigh individually?
Can I use these skillets in an air fryer?
I was given a large cast iron skillet that is VERY STICKY. How in the world do I take it off to season it the correct way ?
Easiest way for just one pan is to use oven cleaner with the yellow cap (Sodium hydroxide/lye). There are many good videos on how to do it. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection, go to a well ventilated area (outside is best but a garage with the door open will work), spray pan all over and put in a garbage bag overnight. If it is bad it might take a little longer. Next wash with soap and water, dry well on stove and season how you like to.
Old School way to clean up a “messy” cast iron is to put it over some hot coals and let all excess material burn off. Then you can reseason it and enjoy cooking again! This is how I take care of mine. Every several years or so, when I have a campfire going at home anyway…
Are the Pampered Chef pan manufactured by Lodge?
Yes. Pampered Chef has partnered with Lodge to bring the best quality, made in the USA cast iron skillets to consumers!
How are these skillets pre-seasoned?
Can these cast iron
pans be used on a glass top stove?
Hello Myrna,
Yes you can. For use on induction, flat glass, or ceramic cooktop surfaces.
Handle with care on stovetop surfaces.
I didn’t read instructions and seasoned my new skillet. I left it in oven to cool and forgot about it till 2 days later. Now it is sticky and stickiness doesn’t come off with hot water. What do I need to do. I’ve not used it.
Easiest way for just one pan is to use oven cleaner with the yellow cap (Sodium hydroxide/lye). There are many good videos on how to do it. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection, go to a well ventilated area (outside is best but a garage with the door open will work), spray pan all over and put in a garbage bag overnight. If it is bad it might take a little longer. Next wash with soap and water, dry well on stove and season how you like to.
Can someone give me the weights of the different sizes? I have a host that has arthritis and she’s wanting to know how heavy they are.
I use just lard. I keep a can of bacon grease on the back of the stove and I rinse the pan while it is hot after using and wipe it out with a cloth. While it is still hot I put lard in the pan and coat the bottom and heat it a little. I scrape the bottom with a putty knife or the spatula until there is no build up of carbon on the bottom or sides. I then wipe out the excess grease… smooth as silk.
We have an iron egg pan that is never washed we only scrape it and season it with lard. We cook our eggs at a medium temperature and use butter. It is as non-stick as Teflon.
We use cast iron skillets almost exclusively and I have done so since I was a boy.
After freshly seasoning your cast iron pan, how do you store it in your cupboard? Do you put a paper towel on the bottom of pan and on the inside of pan so as to not get anything else stained from the oil?
The description says PC’s cast iron comes pre-seasoned. I have a customer asking what is it pre-seasoned with?
Can a cast iron skillet be used on a glass top stove?
Both of my PC cast irons pans have a silverish sheen showing through. They aren’t solid black like you would expect. Why?
I wash all dishes, pans, before using them, what do I do to feel they are clean to start cooking with them?
Used my cast iron skillet for the first time and couldn’t get it cleaned. Followed cleaning instructions and nothing worked. The bottom of the pan has black splotches. Wondering if this is the seasoning it came with, but not sure. Should I return the skillet?
Can someone give me the measurement of the actual cooking surface of the pan?
I love this segment regarding reg cast iron skillets. I am 60 years old and have had the same 2 skillets for over 40 yrs. Sorry to admit I’ve been a bit lazy on maintaining them. Time to clean and reseason. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing and saving me!!