How to Clean a Hot Cast Iron Skillet

It's a fast process that I use to keep the skilled in great shape. Cleaning it hot will save you time but you must observe caution.

Keep the sink itself clear of any dirty dishes or piles of dishes before you do this.

Keep one or two hot pads because that skillet can be heavy for you and you may want to hold it with both hands protected.

Keep your kids out of this one, this is for mature teens and grownups.

I've burned myself and my hot pads by placing a just too hot skilled on the hot pad or forgetting to have a second set of hot pads and having to grab the other side of the heavy skillet.

No matter how dirty or what was in it, no soap ever!

Take Hot Skillet Off the Stove

Use a hot pad or oven mitt, keep several on hand

Remove pan and tip out the debris in the sink. Use running water and it will steam up if it's too cold to clean the pan.

Wipe off with a scrubber, pot scraper, or wash cloth all debris.

NO SOAP!!! If you use any kind of soap even natural will rub off oil from the seasoned pan.

This was a pre-seasoned pan. So as instructed by the manufacturer, you never ever use soap on it. Water only..

No dishwasher, no residue must form on the oiled pan or you must rinse it and scrub it all off and season again.

Replace the Clean Wet Skillet on the Stove

Be sure the bottom of the skillet is dried off completely and the sides.

Skillet is hot, please keep using the hot pad all the way through the process

Do not turn on the burner, you risk heat damage to it and the pan if you forget

Dry the Water Out of the Skillet

Clean paper towel,wipe off all water completely

Oil the Inside or It Rusts

Use cooking spray or creamed shortening or cooking oil of your choice.

Apply oil to the tip of the paper towel by placing it in the solid shorting and wiping a bit, or placing it on the mouth of the bottle of oil and tipping until the paper towel is touched with oil; spraying with a can on dash is enough

Rub around the INSIDE only!

Rub inside bottom and sides.

Remove Excess Oil Residue

Another clean paper towel

Wipe off all excess oil until no beading or surface is clean as the last photo

Remember to not flood it with oil in the first place.

Bottom and Sides NO Oil You Must Keep It Dry

DO NOT OIL the bottom or outsides or the handle

It does not need it.

Hot pads all the way through this process. Safety first.

Any questions or other cleaning skillet hints welcome please comment.