I’ve just found a clever way to remove burnt food on cast iron in seconds — without scratching it

It’s always enjoyable rustling up tasty food in one of the best cast iron skillets. But cleaning burnt or dried food residue (without scratching it) can often be a challenge. Although food ideally shouldn’t stick, it often does, particularly with new skillets.

In addition, knowing how to clean and maintain your cast iron will ensure you get optimal heat distribution and the best cooking results. Unlike stainless steel, cast iron needs a gentler touch—harsh soaps and abrasive scouring pads can strip away its coating and ruin the surface.

Luckily, I’ve discovered an easier method to clean burnt food off your cookware without frantic scrubbing or costly cleaning products. In fact, it just involves a few cooking essentials that we may already have in our kitchen. So, here’s a fuss-free way to remove burnt-on food from cast iron.

The salt and oil method

Set your pan to a moderately low heat before adding a drizzle of oil and salt. You can use any type of oil, but since you’re only using it for cleaning, you can use a cheap oil and salt (and save your expensive oils).

Since salt doesn’t dissolve in oil, it makes an effective yet gentle abrasive scrub to remove stuck food or stubborn residue.

Next, using long tongs to hold a folded paper towel, carefully scrub the surface to remove the loosened burnt-on residue.

While experts suggest this makeshift scrub can be used in a cold pan, heating the pan slightly makes it significantly more effective, especially for tough residue. Just take care when working around hot oil.

Once the burnt residue is wiped away, rinse the pan thoroughly with water and gently dry it with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. This is a great, less intensive way of removing dried food on cast iron pans without ruining it.

More importantly, don’t forget to season your cast iron to protect the surface. And if you’ve tried these tips and are still battling stains, check out 5 signs it’s time to replace your cast iron skillet.

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More from Tom’s Guide

• How to season a cast iron skillet.
• Plus, here are 5 mistakes you’re making with your cast iron skillet
• 7 mistakes you’re making with your pots and pans.

As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features.

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Home, Real Homes, Livingetc. and House Beautiful, amongst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design blog for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she’s not testing cool products, she’ll be searching online for more decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!