Can I clean cast iron with a steel pad

I used a Brillo pad on my cast iron skillet. It is seasoned, not enameled. I want to know if this could damage my cast iron skillet. Also can it be fixed?

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Best Answer

I'm not finding an exact duplicate of this question, but you should read these related questions:

So, the answer to the first part of your question is yes, a Brillo pad can damage your cast iron skillet. If you scrub it for a short time, then it can remove the seasoning from the pan. If you scrub it really hard, it can also scratch the iron underneath, since cast iron is softer than the steel and abrasives in the Brillo pad.

In response to the second part of your question, yes, you can recover it. How difficult this is depends on how much scouring you did. If you just removed seasoning, you'll need to do either a light seasoning or completely reseason the pan. If you scrubbed through the seasoning and scratched the iron itself, then you'd need to sand the bottom of the pan before completely reseasoning it.

I recommend watching Kent Rollins' video series on caring for cast iron to avoid problems in the future.

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Quick Answer about "Can I clean cast iron with a steel pad"

Use a fine grade steel wool pad and scrub the pan surface, inside and out, to remove rust and debris. Wash the residue with hot water and mild soap if needed. Once you have cleaned all the residue off the cast iron skillet, wash and dry your skillet as noted.

Can I use a steel scrubber on cast iron?

Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? No! We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. We only recommend using steel wool or a metal scrubber to remove rust before reseasoning.

Are Brillo pads safe for cast iron?

How to Clean Cast Iron. Follow these easy steps if your skillet has any rust spots or if it's completely coated in rust. Scrub with hot water using a nonabrasive scour pad with coarse salt or a brillo pad on all sides of the skillet until all of the rust spots are gone.

Can I use a scrub pad on cast iron?

Clean a warm cast iron by sprinkling salt over the surface and scrubbing using your scouring pad or non-abrasive sponge. Rinse with warm water and dry as normal.

Can you use a stainless steel scrubber on cast iron skillet?

Cast-iron pans are resilient! They can stand up to all kinds of scrubbers, sponges and cleaning tools. Just stay clear of harsh cleaners\u2014a mild dish soap is all you need. For other methods of cleaning cast iron, we recommend using coarse sea salt or chainmail, which is a chain link piece of stainless steel.

How to clean Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Skillets with Chain Mail

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