Is it really necessary to avoid using soap on a cast iron skillet?

Hello Seasoned Adviced community!

When talking about cast iron skillets, it is common to hear the advice "don't ever use soap to wash the skillet." However, I rarely hear specific reasons for why it would be necessary to avoid using soap on a cast iron skillet, and I can't think of a valid explanation for why this must be true.

An article on Serious Eats calls the "no soap" advice a myth, stating the the origin of the advice is the idea that since soap removes oil, the seasoning of the pan would be ruined by using soap. But, as the article states, the seasoning of the pan is a thin layer of polymerized oil, which is a plastic-like coating on the surface of the pan, and soap won't hurt the coating. There is a chemical bond between the coating and the pan which soap can't damage.

So, will using soap on a cast-iron skillet damage the skillet or is this a myth?

Best Answer

Here's the deal ... if your pan is seasoned correctly using an oil with a high iodine value, then no, soap won't harm it.

If it's not seasoned correctly, then it could need a strip & reseason. If you're using a low iodine oil (the surface will be slightly tacky when the pan is cool), then it also might ablate the surface somewhat, and repeated cleanings could damage it.

If you think it needs a deeper clean, one approach is to always add a new (thin) layer of oil after cleaning the pan (and then heating it 'til it smokes) ... this means that you'll have a relatively thick layer of seasoning and if you lose an individual layer, it's not a big deal. (and you'll add it back right after the cleaning).

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Is it really necessary to avoid using soap on a cast iron skillet? - Anonymous person drying mirror with squeegee

Is it really necessary to avoid using soap on a cast iron skillet? - Side view of adult hairstylist straightening hair of client with iron in hairdressing salon

Quick Answer about "Is it really necessary to avoid using soap on a cast iron skillet?"

1 Answer. Show activity on this post. Here's the deal ... if your pan is seasoned correctly using an oil with a high iodine value, then no, soap won't harm it. If it's not seasoned correctly, then it could need a strip & reseason.

Can you really not use soap on cast iron?

So here you go, once and for all: Yes, you can use soap on cast iron. It's totally fine on enameled cast iron, and on plain cast iron, too. It's not going to destroy your seasoning.

Why should you not use soap on a cast iron skillet?

Decades ago, soaps were made with lye and vinegar, and they were too harsh for use on cast iron pans. They would indeed strip away oil and could remove seasoning.

What happens if you accidentally use soap on cast iron?

Cast iron skillets should be cleaned after each use. Some clean their cast iron skillets by wiping them with a little salt and a paper towel. Others rinse them with warm water, with or without a squirt of dishwashing liquid.

Is it Bad to Wash My Cast Iron Pan with Soap?

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska, Sergey Makashin