Back in the day, all soaps contained Lye, Lye consumes every organic material, so seasoning on old Griswold etc. had the seasoning stripped if cleaned with that soap. Modern soaps are great at cutting thru grime and grease, your seasoning on cast iron cookware is safe from soaps now days.
Yeah, it makes perfect sense to do. I've heard a lot of people in the restaurant industry point out how much trouble they'd be in if they didn't use soap! Thanks for this handy info, as always Mike!
You’re welcome, Susan, and thank you too, my friend, for sharing this with us! You are exactly right about restaurants because the Health Department would shut them down or fine them…or both!
I've had cast iron skillets for years but never really used them because there seemed to be so much mystery about how to care for them. Now that I've been watching your channel, I love using them. I even bought a new deep skillet with a lid. Thanks for all the tips.😊
You're welcome, my friend. I created a little guide that would help you. Check it out and let me know what you think ok!? pages.mrcastiron.com/castironbeginnerguide
Some great information Mike! I hardly ever use soap on my cast iron but I do use a little deluted from time to time. I hope you all have a blessed day!
Thanks for sharing this with us, Coleman! Mild detergent is ok to use as long as you rinse it out as you say! Times have changed! And so has soap, lol!!
Love this video! To answer your question - yes, I do use a little cast iron soap when cleaning my cookware. After thoroughly rinsing it off I dry it, put it on the stove over low heat and season it. While many swear by never using soap on cast iron - it gives me peace of mind to use a little soap and a dish brush to clean my cast iron cookware.
i have always been told not to use soap on cast iron ... with that said i do use soap hot water and a mild brush sometimes a green scrub if there is something really stuck on ... so in my opinion it is just fine to use a little dish soap
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions with us, Brian! I agree with you. I don't use it all of the time, but it is ok to use a little mild detergent occasionally.
I’m starting my days off tomorrow I’m going to buy the chicken fryer a little higher sides looking forward add more seasoning to the fryer , a lot of times I’ll cook even if I’m not hungry leftovers are always good . I’m also gonna make a display for my cast iron collection instead of it hiding in a cupboard, this way it’s all out there to see and admire. Thanks again Mr Cast iron for your content.
I love your video's. Thanks for teaching us how to use and care for cast iron. Also, from what I've noticed, you reply to everyone's comments on your video's. What a great and respectful thing you do and put out there.
Oh wow! Thank you for your kind words! We love what we are trying to do by helping folks with cast iron. I try to answer everyone because I feel it is very important, or else it wouldn’t be true to my point in trying to help. I may not be addressing every issue in each video, but when folks leave a comment on their question, then I can answer it there. Plus, their question may become a new video idea! Thanks again for checking us out, Darren, and if I can ever help you with any questions or problems with cast iron, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me anytime, ok!!??
Good deal! Also, I would like to ask that you consider subscribing if you haven't done so already. That way, you will be informed of our latest content as we create it!
Thank you! I use a little bit of soap and rinse and dry it right away. As for the story, I've always heard that it was a ham that the mother told the girl to cut both ends off of so she did. She asked her mom why and her mom said it was because her mom always cut off both ends of the ham before she cooked it. When she asked Grandma why, Grandma said it was because the ham didn't fit in her pan. So for years everyone had been unnecessarily cutting off the ends of their hams. 😂 We get your point, though. 💜
Right on, Larry! You're welcome, buddy! Thanks for sharing this with us, my friend! Some people get sideways with you about it, though. Have you ever had anyone do that?
I just use hot water. But I use Dawn for the rest of the dishes. I will give it a try. Glad to see I am not the only man washing dishes. Thank you for the video, Mike. Stay safe and stay warm
You’re welcome, Sean, and thank you too, buddy! I basically wash mine with hot water, too, but I needed to address this question that keeps coming up! Some say never, and some say whatever, lol!
As soon as I saw the headline, I knew I had to reply, lol. It's one of my favorite topics of cast iron cooks. On used store bought CI I always spray oven cleaner to strip it. Then I wash it, only once, in dish soap and water but after that, CI never touches dish soap. Reason being is that I worry it can be absorbed into the seasoning and then I consume "it" which is the toxic ingredients in dish soap. Check that out! I have a brother in law who washes his in the dish washer and it's sort of crusty and rusty:) Moral of the story is, do what you are comfortable with.
I heard that! I’m thankful for you sharing your thoughts and perspective on this one, my friend! I don’t recommend anyone put them through a dishwasher. I made a video about that, and it’s incredible how quickly it will strip the seasoning off.
@@MrCastIron His dishwashed cast iron skillet is down to bare metal on the inside, with rust. The outside is still all crusty but I don't know why, that remains a mystery to me🤓
I'm very new to cast iron, but I've been watching a lot of youtube, and reading on the cast iron subreddit, and I've come to the conclusion that some soap is fine, and I've been using it since my pans came home. They're beautiful pans and they are getting better with every use, so I figure everything is going well. I've ordered my first 12 inch lodge (now I know I like cooking with cast iron), and I can't wait for it to get here :)
I too was taught not to use detergent to clean cast-iron. I use it now. I believe that the secret is to re-season the skillet after every use whether you use detergent to clean it or not. Someone put one of mine in the dishwasher one time and that was definitely a disaster, but not the end of the world. A good scrubbing and seasoning, and it was good to go again.
I use dawn too if it needs extra cleaning. If it is seasoned well then hot water usually gets it clean. My grandpa used to make lye soap so it was a big no no to use soap in cast iron growing up. I use Dawn to get rid of critters on my veggie plants too.
Exactly! I generally just rinse everything out with hot water too. I don’t raise a garden anymore but when I did I used Dawn and vinegar on certain things! Good stuff! Thanks, Chastity!
I'm 76. When I was a kid one of my chores was washing dishes. My mom taught me to wash the skillets inside but don't wash the outside (she had it backwards) but those skillets were washed with soap, and sometimes scouring powder, which all the time. Despite the crusty build up on the OUTSIDE the cooking side was slick and nonstick. I wish I had those pans today.
That’s a great story, Mikey! I’m a lot like you because I wish I had some of those old pieces of cast iron that our family had too! Thanks for sharing this with us, my friend!
Good points Mike! I rarely use soap since I don’t find the need for it, but Dawn is real mild, heck they even use it to clean animals and birds caught in oil spills. It is funny how certain things become beliefs and the “right way” without much reason. Congrats on 3k!! 💥👯♂️💃🕺🎊🎉
Thanks Charley! Most of the time I don’t use it either but on occasion I will. I know of folks that wash them every time. And then I know some that believe you are the devil if you do lol!
Yep, Just as 'Mr. Cast Iron' says... If it needs to be washed with a little soap & maybe a brush, DO IT, it won't hurt a thing. Just rinse it good, dry it well, put it on the stove to heat it up a few minutes to make sure it's dry. (I do 8~10 minutes at medium-low) Then while it still hot, rub a very thin coat of Crisco on it and it's ready to go the next time you use it! Depending on what you just cooked in it... sometimes it doesn't need soap & water, just wipe it out good is enough. :)
I tried a very mild soap just a quick wash with hot water worked great my cast is well seasoned so that probably helps then I dry it on the stove . Thanks again for your content love your channel, I enjoy cast iron so much . I look forward to watching your videos.
You’re welcome, and thank you too, my friend. It will work pretty well. I think where most people mess up is letting it soak. If it is done as you did, just a quick wash, there is no problem at all. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts with us!
My family was told ‘don’t use soap on cast iron’ and heard ‘don’t wash your cast iron skillet’. So I was raised eating off a pan that was never ever washed… until one day I decided to take control and washed that thing with dish washing detergent.
Lol! Way to take control, my friend!! Many years ago, it was not a good thing, but now, as long as you don’t let it soak, it’s OK to use a small amount of mild dish detergent.
WOW!!! GREAT no…SUPER GREAT VIDEO!!!!! …Thank you Mike for sharing this!! I believe YES!! You CAN use a mild soap like Dawn, as seasoning, is a hardened polymerized layer, and won’t be affected by a quick wash. Like you said, just don’t soak it. I personally, haven’t had a need to use soap, but…I definitely would if the need ever arised. I’ve heard that soap, used to contain lye, and people use lye tanks to strip cast iron, but most mild detergents don’t contain lye nowadays. Once again, SPOT ON, DIRECT HIT, AWESOME, EXCELLENT, EDUCATIONAL, AND ENTERTAINING, video Mike!!! Thank you for making, editing, and posting, as I know this content is helping so many!!
Oh, you’re welcome, Rick, and thank you too, my friend! You are always so encouraging to me, and I really appreciate that! I know cast iron is the greatest thing to cook in, but folks that are not as familiar with it or just getting started have many questions, and we just want to try and answer them. I don’t want folks to feel intimidated by cast iron and give up on it. And God forbid going back to Teflon, lol!
I told my mama that Mike, Mr Cast iron told me I didn't have to listen to her anymore LOL! Yes we use Dawn soap on our CI and actually my mom and grandma taught me that but they always said to only use Dawn soap. Yet another great tip for cast iron care and maintenance Mike. Thanks buddy.
Don’t you get me in trouble with your momma Billy lol! I haven’t researched it, but I reckon Dawn was the first to come out because my momma used it too. Palmolive?? What the heck is that?
Been wanting cast iron for a while, but found the concept of using them confusing. Your videos finally made me took the plunge. My 12" Lodge skillet just arrived from Amazon. Look forward to using it!
Congratulations on your new skillet, and welcome to the world of cast iron! That’s awesome, and I appreciate your kind words and confidence. If you ever have any questions or need any help with anything, please feel free to reach out to me, and I’ll do my best to help out ok!!??
I always used soap. And I scrub and buff with chainmail and, if needed, Scotchbrite. Not doing that would lead to crud buildup, and that would mean having to strip and reseason.
@@whereRbearsTeeth Nothing "sticks" to a plate or cup either, at least not the kind of sticking you're talking about, but newflash: you're supposed to wash dishes. Hot water, soap, and scrubbing.
Yes I do Mike, Dawn is perfect btw.. in my restaurant back in the day it was mandatory to wash cast irons. I would re season in the deep fryer then to the ovens.. IT'S OK TO WASH CAST IRON....
I typically don't use soap but I do on the rare occasion. I also don't use salt to clean with, I use dollar tree scrubbing pads. They are so cheap they don't scour the seasoning.
You’re welcome, and thank you too, my friend! Mild detergents are not like soap made years ago, which was lye-based. Let us know how it works out, ok!?
Here is a compromise: Don't use soap for the first few times until your seasoning build up a bit. And no you can't wait until you have a 3 inch seasoning layer because that will never happen ‐it's just a thin layer of oil that turns literally to hard plastic by a process called polymerization. Once you got that go a head and use soap if you want to. I personally use only warm to hot water but if it's too greasy I use soap without issues.
yup, I use soap on cast iron, I reseason it after rinsing and drying it good and then I heat it and get some clean oil back in the pores, while its hot, and then wipe it down good and its ready for next use...THATS just my take, used to be that only the inside cooking area was washed with adding water and a few drops of liquid soap rinsed and etc same as what I still do...don't always follow my old family stuff, but knowing the make-up of the material truly matters...ppl that are in to making lye soaps again may strip more than they'd wish if they use that but they'd know by its appearance if what they used was an uh-oh...lol but the newer cast iron is pretty forgiving...
i clean my cast iron with water while it is still hot the steam sanitizes and loosens stuck on food then i wipe out the mess dry the pan with heat and coat with a very light coat of oil
Cooked with the same cast iron for the last 35 years and use soap on them all the time. Now if I could just get the scout troop to do the same (nothing tastes worse than the rancid grease taste from a cast-iron skillet that's been improperly cleaned and then stored for a few months.
I try not to even though modern soap doesn't have any lye in it anymore. Most times I do not use soap opting for the hot water/brush method. If my seasoning is good, I shouldn't have to use soap. New piece of cast iron or carbon steel, I do use soap but that's only to get off factory oil and anything else that may be on it.
I heard that, Mike! That’s basically what I do too! Most stuff can be cleaned with hot water and a stiff brush. But like you say, sometimes a little soap helps! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us, my friend!
Back then, when older people used cast iron they didn't use soap on it because it had lye in it .. soap today, doesn't have a lot of lye in it so it's OK to use dish soap on cast iron
I thought Gramma's answer was goina be, "It's the only pot we had". 😎 In those days the word "excess" didn't exist. Mendet's did though! Oh how ironic that the obvious simply eludes most of us! My Gramma was born about 1900. I'm pretty sure she didn't have a whole room full of Ninja Foodies, Popcorn machines, and Air Fryers. Oh, she didn't have any outlets either. 😲 I did for some reason inherit her rolling pin. In retrospect I think it was meant for my wife at the time to use as she saw fit. 😉 Great advice Mike
Thanks, Mark. Yes, life used to be so much simpler a few years ago, and everyone got along just fine. Some things may have even been better then than they are now. Teresa and I talk about how much better certain things were when we were kids!
@@MrCastIron When I was 6 years old my Mom would give me .30 cents and send me on the city bus downtown by myself to spend the day at the YMCA. Downtown Minneapolis. I knew the bus route by heart. It took me through the intersection of 38th and Chicago where George Floyd was killed. If she had done that today she'd be locked up for child endangerment. Living in Maine, I don't get back home, Minneapolis as often as I'd like. This year we're heading out there for my 50th High School reunion. I almost dread getting on an airplane that has some MORON on it that just throws a tantrum over wearing a mask. Not scared of getting hurt, but worried about getting arrested for "child endangerment" for knocking the moron out! Have times changed? That's a big old YUP. 😢
Wow what a story Mark. But you are right. Kids these days think they are free but they don’t have freedom. At least not like we had it as kids. I was a paperboy at 8 years old and roamed all over town. I wouldn’t let an 8-year-old out of my sight these days.
@@MrCastIron not much, my brother. Just relaxing today. We have some pretty nice weather today. Gonna go soak in the sun at the park. How about you, sir?
I'm actually scared of all of the idiots on TH-cam who are anti-soap on every cast iron video. Their pans must be nasty. I've been using soap on my pans for almost 25 years with no problems. A little dad of Dawn and a soft sponge will not harm a pan at all.
thanks for clearing up the old misconceptions about soap. and no, I can't imagine that you made bacon, lol. BTW, I just posted a new video after a long absence, I hope you'll visit. 🙂
I hear it all the time don’t use soap and water,I pay them no never mind. If you haven’t used a seasoned skillet in a long time the oil may be rancid so I was good to clean them up with a little it of Dawn.
Oh, I totally agree with you! A little soap and water won’t hurt, but I don’t suggest letting them sit and soak for very long, or there will be some issues. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, my friend!
Well, making sure you've washed out all the food bits takes a little soap! No harm. Harm is when my roomate doesn't use soap and leaves the pan stinking like burgers 😕 and i want to eat eggs. 😅
I don’t know anyone that uses soap to clean their dishes. They use detergent. Also, soap is still made using lye. But it reacts with fat to make the soap and therefore there isn’t any lye left.
I just wipe my skillet down with oil as I don't get anything sticking. Not today any way. My first time. I made a toasted sandwich..wiped it down with oil then I made crepes. Nothing stuck. I oiled it again and put it away. It won't pull the seasoning off but it might get into the pores and food will taste of soap. Maybe. I'm not going to even wash mine as long as I can.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us, my friend. When it is seasoned, the detergent doesn’t get in to the pores at all, so nothing tastes like soap. Wash, rinse it well, and wipe it dry. Lightly oil it and put it away.
*This is what the user instructions leaflet that came with my brand spanking new cast iron pan says:* "Due to concern over bacteria, we recommend washing it with soapy water, though there are many cast iron users who feel it's best to stick to water only."
Back in the day, all soaps contained Lye, Lye consumes every organic material, so seasoning on old Griswold etc. had the seasoning stripped if cleaned with that soap. Modern soaps are great at cutting thru grime and grease, your seasoning on cast iron cookware is safe from soaps now days.
Back in the day, all soaps contained Lye, Lye consumes every organic material, so seasoning on old Griswold etc. had the seasoning stripped if cleaned with that soap. Modern soaps are great at cutting thru grime and grease, your seasoning on cast iron cookware is safe from soaps now days.
I think this is going to go really big for you Mike. I know SO many people who don't know whether or not to see soap. We always steer them your way!
Thanks for all you guys do Theresa! We sure appreciate y’all!
Yeah, it makes perfect sense to do. I've heard a lot of people in the restaurant industry point out how much trouble they'd be in if they didn't use soap! Thanks for this handy info, as always Mike!
You’re welcome, Susan, and thank you too, my friend, for sharing this with us! You are exactly right about restaurants because the Health Department would shut them down or fine them…or both!
I've had cast iron skillets for years but never really used them because there seemed to be so much mystery about how to care for them. Now that I've been watching your channel, I love using them. I even bought a new deep skillet with a lid.
Thanks for all the tips.😊
You're welcome, my friend. I created a little guide that would help you. Check it out and let me know what you think ok!? pages.mrcastiron.com/castironbeginnerguide
Some great information Mike! I hardly ever use soap on my cast iron but I do use a little deluted from time to time. I hope you all have a blessed day!
Thank you for sharing this with us Charley!
Great video my friend. I use Dawn on my cast iron all the time with no side affects. I just rinse it good and heat it up just like you show.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Coleman! Mild detergent is ok to use as long as you rinse it out as you say! Times have changed! And so has soap, lol!!
Love this video! To answer your question - yes, I do use a little cast iron soap when cleaning my cookware. After thoroughly rinsing it off I dry it, put it on the stove over low heat and season it. While many swear by never using soap on cast iron - it gives me peace of mind to use a little soap and a dish brush to clean my cast iron cookware.
Thank you for sharing this with us, Pat!
i have always been told not to use soap on cast iron ... with that said i do use soap hot water and a mild brush sometimes a green scrub if there is something really stuck on ... so in my opinion it is just fine to use a little dish soap
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions with us, Brian! I agree with you. I don't use it all of the time, but it is ok to use a little mild detergent occasionally.
It’s good to see you, Mike! Thanks for sharing this valuable information! 👍🏻
Oh, you’re welcome, and thank you too, Stephanie!
Yes, I use dish detergent on my cast iron if necessary. Sometimes a good wipe is enough. Never a problem. Blessings.
Yeah it won’t hurt a thing except the feelings of some folks lol!
Another great video on Cast Iron Maintenance. Yes I use a mild soap on my Cast Iron. Congratulations on the 3K Subs. Stay Safe 👍🇬🇧
Awesome! Thank you Steve! Have a great week buddy!
I’m starting my days off tomorrow I’m going to buy the chicken fryer a little higher sides looking forward add more seasoning to the fryer , a lot of times I’ll cook even if I’m not hungry leftovers are always good . I’m also gonna make a display for my cast iron collection instead of it hiding in a cupboard, this way it’s all out there to see and admire. Thanks again Mr Cast iron for your content.
You will like a chicken fryer! I use mine all the time. I fry chicken and make chili.
@@MrCastIron Does the Chilli affect the season? Does the cast iron affect the taste of the chilli?
No, it didn’t affect the taste of the chili I made! Makes we want a big bowl right now, though, lol!
I love your video's. Thanks for teaching us how to use and care for cast iron. Also, from what I've noticed, you reply to everyone's comments on your video's. What a great and respectful thing you do and put out there.
Oh wow! Thank you for your kind words! We love what we are trying to do by helping folks with cast iron. I try to answer everyone because I feel it is very important, or else it wouldn’t be true to my point in trying to help. I may not be addressing every issue in each video, but when folks leave a comment on their question, then I can answer it there. Plus, their question may become a new video idea! Thanks again for checking us out, Darren, and if I can ever help you with any questions or problems with cast iron, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me anytime, ok!!??
@@MrCastIron I will ask you for guidance for sure!
Good deal! Also, I would like to ask that you consider subscribing if you haven't done so already. That way, you will be informed of our latest content as we create it!
@@MrCastIron I have subscribed, don't want to miss your upcoming cast iron cooking information!
Awesome! Thank you!
I love your videos. I use soap on my cast iron all the time.
Thank you, Janice! It doesn’t hurt to use a little mild detergent now and then!
Thank you! I use a little bit of soap and rinse and dry it right away. As for the story, I've always heard that it was a ham that the mother told the girl to cut both ends off of so she did. She asked her mom why and her mom said it was because her mom always cut off both ends of the ham before she cooked it. When she asked Grandma why, Grandma said it was because the ham didn't fit in her pan. So for years everyone had been unnecessarily cutting off the ends of their hams. 😂 We get your point, though. 💜
Great tips, I really enjoyed this video. Take care and have a blessed day and weekend.
Thanks, and you do the same, my brother! We sure appreciate you!
Mike I use Dawn as well if the skillet needs it to get rid of excess grime. Has never affected the skillet in any way. Thanks for passing that on.
Right on, Larry! You're welcome, buddy! Thanks for sharing this with us, my friend! Some people get sideways with you about it, though. Have you ever had anyone do that?
@@MrCastIron not yet but who knows.
Well, hopefully never!
I just use hot water. But I use Dawn for the rest of the dishes. I will give it a try. Glad to see I am not the only man washing dishes. Thank you for the video, Mike. Stay safe and stay warm
You’re welcome, Sean, and thank you too, buddy! I basically wash mine with hot water, too, but I needed to address this question that keeps coming up! Some say never, and some say whatever, lol!
As soon as I saw the headline, I knew I had to reply, lol. It's one of my favorite topics of cast iron cooks.
On used store bought CI I always spray oven cleaner to strip it. Then I wash it, only once, in dish soap and water but after that, CI never touches dish soap. Reason being is that I worry it can be absorbed into the seasoning and then I consume "it" which is the toxic ingredients in dish soap. Check that out!
I have a brother in law who washes his in the dish washer and it's sort of crusty and rusty:)
Moral of the story is, do what you are comfortable with.
I heard that! I’m thankful for you sharing your thoughts and perspective on this one, my friend! I don’t recommend anyone put them through a dishwasher. I made a video about that, and it’s incredible how quickly it will strip the seasoning off.
@@MrCastIron His dishwashed cast iron skillet is down to bare metal on the inside, with rust. The outside is still all crusty but I don't know why, that remains a mystery to me🤓
Yeah I’m sure it rusted immediately lol. Must have been super caked on the bottom if it’s still there!
I use dawn, have had no issues.
Thanks for sharing this with us my friend!
I'm very new to cast iron, but I've been watching a lot of youtube, and reading on the cast iron subreddit, and I've come to the conclusion that some soap is fine, and I've been using it since my pans came home. They're beautiful pans and they are getting better with every use, so I figure everything is going well. I've ordered my first 12 inch lodge (now I know I like cooking with cast iron), and I can't wait for it to get here :)
Congratulations and welcome to the world of cast iron my friend!! Yeah soap is a controversial subject but a little won’t hurt every now and then!
Cast iron is so great. And when you know as much about it as you do Mike, it's not that hard to maintain! Rock on!
Thank you Sal! I don’t know it all but I know a little! Have a great week ahead, buddy!
I too was taught not to use detergent to clean cast-iron. I use it now. I believe that the secret is to re-season the skillet after every use whether you use detergent to clean it or not. Someone put one of mine in the dishwasher one time and that was definitely a disaster, but not the end of the world. A good scrubbing and seasoning, and it was good to go again.
I use dawn too if it needs extra cleaning. If it is seasoned well then hot water usually gets it clean. My grandpa used to make lye soap so it was a big no no to use soap in cast iron growing up. I use Dawn to get rid of critters on my veggie plants too.
Exactly! I generally just rinse everything out with hot water too. I don’t raise a garden anymore but when I did I used Dawn and vinegar on certain things! Good stuff! Thanks, Chastity!
I'm 76. When I was a kid one of my chores was washing dishes. My mom taught me to wash the skillets inside but don't wash the outside (she had it backwards) but those skillets were washed with soap, and sometimes scouring powder, which all the time. Despite the crusty build up on the OUTSIDE the cooking side was slick and nonstick. I wish I had those pans today.
That’s a great story, Mikey! I’m a lot like you because I wish I had some of those old pieces of cast iron that our family had too! Thanks for sharing this with us, my friend!
Good points Mike! I rarely use soap since I don’t find the need for it, but Dawn is real mild, heck they even use it to clean animals and birds caught in oil spills. It is funny how certain things become beliefs and the “right way” without much reason. Congrats on 3k!! 💥👯♂️💃🕺🎊🎉
Thanks Charley! Most of the time I don’t use it either but on occasion I will. I know of folks that wash them every time. And then I know some that believe you are the devil if you do lol!
Yep, Just as 'Mr. Cast Iron' says... If it needs to be washed with a little soap & maybe a brush, DO IT, it won't hurt a thing. Just rinse it good, dry it well, put it on the stove to heat it up a few minutes to make sure it's dry. (I do 8~10 minutes at medium-low) Then while it still hot, rub a very thin coat of Crisco on it and it's ready to go the next time you use it! Depending on what you just cooked in it... sometimes it doesn't need soap & water, just wipe it out good is enough. :)
Yeah that’s right Jim! Thanks for sharing that with us my friend!
I tried a very mild soap just a quick wash with hot water worked great my cast is well seasoned so that probably helps then I dry it on the stove . Thanks again for your content love your channel, I enjoy cast iron so much . I look forward to watching your videos.
You’re welcome, and thank you too, my friend. It will work pretty well. I think where most people mess up is letting it soak. If it is done as you did, just a quick wash, there is no problem at all. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts with us!
My family was told ‘don’t use soap on cast iron’ and heard ‘don’t wash your cast iron skillet’.
So I was raised eating off a pan that was never ever washed… until one day I decided to take control and washed that thing with dish washing detergent.
Lol! Way to take control, my friend!! Many years ago, it was not a good thing, but now, as long as you don’t let it soak, it’s OK to use a small amount of mild dish detergent.
WOW!!! GREAT no…SUPER GREAT VIDEO!!!!! …Thank you Mike for sharing this!! I believe YES!! You CAN use a mild soap like Dawn, as seasoning, is a hardened polymerized layer, and won’t be affected by a quick wash. Like you said, just don’t soak it.
I personally, haven’t had a need to use soap, but…I definitely would if the need ever arised.
I’ve heard that soap, used to contain lye, and people use lye tanks to strip cast iron, but most mild detergents don’t contain lye nowadays.
Once again, SPOT ON, DIRECT HIT, AWESOME, EXCELLENT, EDUCATIONAL, AND ENTERTAINING, video Mike!!!
Thank you for making, editing, and posting, as I know this content is helping so many!!
Oh, you’re welcome, Rick, and thank you too, my friend! You are always so encouraging to me, and I really appreciate that! I know cast iron is the greatest thing to cook in, but folks that are not as familiar with it or just getting started have many questions, and we just want to try and answer them. I don’t want folks to feel intimidated by cast iron and give up on it. And God forbid going back to Teflon, lol!
I told my mama that Mike, Mr Cast iron told me I didn't have to listen to her anymore LOL! Yes we use Dawn soap on our CI and actually my mom and grandma taught me that but they always said to only use Dawn soap. Yet another great tip for cast iron care and maintenance Mike. Thanks buddy.
Don’t you get me in trouble with your momma Billy lol! I haven’t researched it, but I reckon Dawn was the first to come out because my momma used it too. Palmolive?? What the heck is that?
@@MrCastIron Palmolive was only used if your name was Madge and you needed to soak your hands in it to make them softer LOL.
Lol that so true! You’re old! Lol 😂
Been wanting cast iron for a while, but found the concept of using them confusing. Your videos finally made me took the plunge. My 12" Lodge skillet just arrived from Amazon. Look forward to using it!
Congratulations on your new skillet, and welcome to the world of cast iron! That’s awesome, and I appreciate your kind words and confidence. If you ever have any questions or need any help with anything, please feel free to reach out to me, and I’ll do my best to help out ok!!??
@@MrCastIron Thank you sir! I will take you up on that offer!
You’re welcome anytime!
I always used soap. And I scrub and buff with chainmail and, if needed, Scotchbrite. Not doing that would lead to crud buildup, and that would mean having to strip and reseason.
Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts with us, Stella! I love my chainmail too!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us JB
@@whereRbearsTeeth Nothing "sticks" to a plate or cup either, at least not the kind of sticking you're talking about, but newflash: you're supposed to wash dishes. Hot water, soap, and scrubbing.
@@whereRbearsTeeth Wash your dishes.
A small amount of dish detergent used when cleaning cast iron is not going to destroy the seasoning.
No it sure won’t! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Yes I do Mike, Dawn is perfect btw.. in my restaurant back in the day it was mandatory to wash cast irons. I would re season in the deep fryer then to the ovens.. IT'S OK TO WASH CAST IRON....
Yes sir that is right! You couldn’t get away with not washing them by the health department, could you!?
@@MrCastIron Absolutely. I enjoyed this video...
Thank you!!
I typically don't use soap but I do on the rare occasion. I also don't use salt to clean with, I use dollar tree scrubbing pads. They are so cheap they don't scour the seasoning.
I heard that! Thanks for sharing this with us my friend!
Such great info and stories Mike! I can't help myself, I have to use a little soap on my cast iron haha
I understand! Thanks again Melissa!
Thanks Mike. I have Lodge’s and just use kosher salt and hot water. But I’ll try it. Thanks. Good video.
You’re welcome Richard and thank you to buddy!
Also great info and Tips! Thanks for sharing Mike! Have a great weekend brother, you all stay safe!👍🍻👊🍳
You’re welcome Craig! Thank you my brother!! Rock on! 😎😎
@@MrCastIron 😁🍻👍
Good info. I do soap every once in a while.
Thanks Paulie! A little every now and then never hurt lol!
That’s all I use is cast iron , I was always told also not to use soap but I will try it . Thanks for the video
You’re welcome, and thank you too, my friend! Mild detergents are not like soap made years ago, which was lye-based. Let us know how it works out, ok!?
Here is a compromise: Don't use soap for the first few times until your seasoning build up a bit. And no you can't wait until you have a 3 inch seasoning layer because that will never happen ‐it's just a thin layer of oil that turns literally to hard plastic by a process called polymerization. Once you got that go a head and use soap if you want to. I personally use only warm to hot water but if it's too greasy I use soap without issues.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us my friend!!
yup, I use soap on cast iron, I reseason it after rinsing and drying it good and then I heat it and get some clean oil back in the pores, while its hot, and then wipe it down good and its ready for next use...THATS just my take, used to be that only the inside cooking area was washed with adding water and a few drops of liquid soap rinsed and etc same as what I still do...don't always follow my old family stuff, but knowing the make-up of the material truly matters...ppl that are in to making lye soaps again may strip more than they'd wish if they use that but they'd know by its appearance if what they used was an uh-oh...lol but the newer cast iron is pretty forgiving...
Yeah a little mild detergent wont hurt anything will it Judi!? But some say don't ever lol!!
I have used soap on my cast iron 🍳 and it hasn't hurt it . I season it, and it cooks just fine . I use Palmolive Oxy .
Yeah, a little won’t hurt as long as it doesn’t soak for a while. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us!
my daughter added WAY too much soap and we swear we can taste soap after taste, do we strip it down and season it?
Love it thank you for showing!
For more cast iron questions, check out these other videos right here: Do You Use Soap On Cast Iron?
th-cam.com/video/LU7WzeksswI/w-d-xo.html.
I’ve always just thrown them away after each use and bought some new ones that’s what I was taught growing up
Wow! That’s interesting 🤔
Very funny
i clean my cast iron with water while it is still hot the steam sanitizes and loosens stuck on food then i wipe out the mess dry the pan with heat and coat with a very light coat of oil
I know it’s a very controversial topic- glad you could set the record straight
Yes it is lol! Thanks Jim!!
Nice thoughts Mike.. makes sense!!
Thank you for stopping by and checking it out my friend!
Cooked with the same cast iron for the last 35 years and use soap on them all the time. Now if I could just get the scout troop to do the same (nothing tastes worse than the rancid grease taste from a cast-iron skillet that's been improperly cleaned and then stored for a few months.
You are right about that! I'm surprised they don't! Thanks for sharing this with us, my friend!
@@MrCastIron What a nice response! Am liking and subscribing, glad I round your channel!
You're welcome, and I’m happy you are here! Welcome aboard, my friend!
I can't believe you cooked bacon in it Mike what a shock😯 😂🥓🥓🥓!!!!!!!
Yeah, I know, but it is true, lol!!
Yes I do.
I try not to even though modern soap doesn't have any lye in it anymore.
Most times I do not use soap opting for the hot water/brush method. If my seasoning is good, I shouldn't have to use soap.
New piece of cast iron or carbon steel, I do use soap but that's only to get off factory oil and anything else that may be on it.
I heard that, Mike! That’s basically what I do too! Most stuff can be cleaned with hot water and a stiff brush. But like you say, sometimes a little soap helps! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us, my friend!
Back then, when older people used cast iron they didn't use soap on it because it had lye in it .. soap today, doesn't have a lot of lye in it so it's OK to use dish soap on cast iron
I use soap all the time that wives tales like using half of a potato and salt clean your Skillet just a waste of half of a potato good salt
Lol, that's funny right there, @Red Dog! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, my friend!
I've always used soap on my cast iron.
I thought Gramma's answer was goina be, "It's the only pot we had". 😎
In those days the word "excess" didn't exist. Mendet's did though!
Oh how ironic that the obvious simply eludes most of us!
My Gramma was born about 1900. I'm pretty sure she didn't have a whole room
full of Ninja Foodies, Popcorn machines, and Air Fryers. Oh, she didn't have
any outlets either. 😲
I did for some reason inherit her rolling pin. In retrospect I think it was meant for
my wife at the time to use as she saw fit. 😉
Great advice Mike
Thanks, Mark. Yes, life used to be so much simpler a few years ago, and everyone got along just fine. Some things may have even been better then than they are now. Teresa and I talk about how much better certain things were when we were kids!
@@MrCastIron When I was 6 years old my Mom would give me .30 cents
and send me on the city bus downtown by myself to spend the day at the
YMCA. Downtown Minneapolis. I knew the bus route by heart. It took me
through the intersection of 38th and Chicago where George Floyd was
killed. If she had done that today she'd be locked up for child endangerment. Living in Maine, I don't get back home, Minneapolis as
often as I'd like. This year we're heading out there for my 50th High School
reunion. I almost dread getting on an airplane that has some MORON
on it that just throws a tantrum over wearing a mask. Not scared of getting
hurt, but worried about getting arrested for "child endangerment" for
knocking the moron out! Have times changed? That's a big old YUP. 😢
Wow what a story Mark. But you are right. Kids these days think they are free but they don’t have freedom. At least not like we had it as kids. I was a paperboy at 8 years old and roamed all over town. I wouldn’t let an 8-year-old out of my sight these days.
Let’s get it, brother. I think so. But you gotta get it out and season it properly before cooking with it again. For sure. Hello, Mike!
Came here to say exactly this.
@@Maplecook my brotha!!
Ian! What is up!!??
Maplecook is here!!
@@MrCastIron not much, my brother. Just relaxing today. We have some pretty nice weather today. Gonna go soak in the sun at the park. How about you, sir?
I'm actually scared of all of the idiots on TH-cam who are anti-soap on every cast iron video. Their pans must be nasty. I've been using soap on my pans for almost 25 years with no problems. A little dad of Dawn and a soft sponge will not harm a pan at all.
I hear ya! When the manufacturer tells you it is ok! Well, then it’s ok, lol!! 😂😂
Hello my friend. Hope all is well with you and the Mrs.
Yes sir! Thank you for asking! We are doing good. I hope you and yours are too!!?
@@MrCastIron we are .thanks
I use soap on my cast iron, I haven't had an issue yet!
I hear ya! Thanks for sharing this with us my friend!
thanks for clearing up the old misconceptions about soap. and no, I can't imagine that you made bacon, lol. BTW, I just posted a new video after a long absence, I hope you'll visit. 🙂
You’re welcome and thank you too buddy! I wondered what happened to ya. I’ll go check it out for sure. See you around, my friend!
I hear it all the time don’t use soap and water,I pay them no never mind. If you haven’t used a seasoned skillet in a long time the oil may be rancid so I was good to clean them up with a little it of Dawn.
Oh, I totally agree with you! A little soap and water won’t hurt, but I don’t suggest letting them sit and soak for very long, or there will be some issues. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, my friend!
I'd rather rancid oil than dawn
Nice video, now music in backgroud, I can understand you speaking
Thank you!
👍
👍
Well, making sure you've washed out all the food bits takes a little soap! No harm.
Harm is when my roomate doesn't use soap and leaves the pan stinking like burgers 😕 and i want to eat eggs. 😅
I don’t know anyone that uses soap to clean their dishes. They use detergent. Also, soap is still made using lye. But it reacts with fat to make the soap and therefore there isn’t any lye left.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us on this subject, my friend! It’s been many years since I’ve had some good lye soap.
I just wipe my skillet down with oil as I don't get anything sticking. Not today any way. My first time. I made a toasted sandwich..wiped it down with oil then I made crepes. Nothing stuck. I oiled it again and put it away. It won't pull the seasoning off but it might get into the pores and food will taste of soap. Maybe. I'm not going to even wash mine as long as I can.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us, my friend. When it is seasoned, the detergent doesn’t get in to the pores at all, so nothing tastes like soap. Wash, rinse it well, and wipe it dry. Lightly oil it and put it away.
Yes yes yes.
Larry says yes on soap!!
*This is what the user instructions leaflet that came with my brand spanking new cast iron pan says:*
"Due to concern over bacteria, we recommend washing it with soapy water, though there are many cast iron users who feel it's best to stick to water only."
Interesting! I guess they have to do that to cover their butt! Lol
I do use Dawn soap I can not Lye. 😂
Lol! Somehow I believe that, Dave!
i never use soap. not because i think it will hurt it but because its not needed. just water worked for hundreds of years who am i to break tradition.
I hear ya! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insights with us my friend!
We don't, but nothing wrong if you do! Only handmade soaps have lye in it these days...
Thanks for sharing this with us Kev! You’re right about handmade soaps! Have you ever made any lye soap before?
@@MrCastIron a friend of mine makes fancy soaps and orders from the same online lye company
Oh, that’s cool! When I was a teenager me and my dad made some in a big ole cast iron kettle.
@@MrCastIron is that when cast iron was a new fangled fad that will never catch on??? HAHAHAHA…just kidding mike🤣🤣🤣
@Rick Stumbaugh yeah you might be right lol!
There's a lot of parrots on here 🐊
Back in the day, all soaps contained Lye, Lye consumes every organic material, so seasoning on old Griswold etc. had the seasoning stripped if cleaned with that soap. Modern soaps are great at cutting thru grime and grease, your seasoning on cast iron cookware is safe from soaps now days.