FOOD NEWS
The Soap Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Cast Iron Skillets
By Riya Anne Polcastro
If you're a big cast iron pan fan, you've probably heard any number of warnings against allowing dish soap anywhere near those precious skillets.
However, because present-day dish soaps no longer contain active lye or vinegar, they won't eat away at your cast iron's seasoning the way older versions did.
This doesn't mean you should go wild and leave your pan soaking in a sink full of suds — there are right and wrong ways to clean your cast iron with dish detergent.
The key to cleaning cast iron with dish soap is to do so sparingly. Use dish soap only if you have to remove caked-on remnants or hard-to-remove food particles.
A little soap and water is enough to get the job done, and it's important that you dry your cast iron right away because residual moisture can cause rust.
Your cast iron skillet should also never be washed in a dishwasher because the machine's steamy confines and wash time would ruin it.
Finally, avoid washing a brand-new cast iron because its seasoning is still delicate, and dish soap could strip it off if it hasn't been used enough.