This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
Even well seasoned cast iron will stick from time to time depending on what was last cooked in it. This is how I have taken care of my cast iron for over 10 years when this happens:
- Rinse it with warm water
- Use a chainmail scrubber to scrub off the food that is stuck
- Place it on the stove and turn it on medium heat until all of the water evaporates. Making sure it is completely dry will prevent rusting.
- While it is still hot, rub a thin layer of ghee/clarified butter all over the surface with a lint free cloth that can get dirty. Be careful not to burn yourself.
Very rarely do I use soap, but I have used Castile soap many times on cast iron and it has not affected the seasoning. I believe the advice to not use soap on cast iron came from back when lye and vinegar were used to make soap. As long as it is a mild soap it should be fine.
