Cast Iron in Dishwashers: The Ultimate Cleaning Guide

Cast-iron skillets appear to perplex people. Before you cook with them, you have to season them. To keep that all-natural nonstick coating, you must be careful when washing them. You do not wet them. You cannot put them in the dishwasher. We’re here to walk you through the best ways to keep your trusty cast iron skillet in great shape without using the dishwasher.

Can you put cast iron in a dishwasher?

Cast iron, aluminum, and nonstick pots and pans should never go in the dishwasher. Harsh detergents, high heat, and water pressure can all remove the seasoning, which is a finely built-up layer of polymerized oil that gives cast iron its nonstick properties and prevents it from rusting. Nonstick coatings will wear out in the dishwasher, cast iron will rust and lose seasoning, and aluminum will develop nicks and scratches.

What you need

For everyday cleaning and seasoning

Mild dish soap: You can use a small amount of soap to clean cast iron cookware.
Non-abrasive sponge or scrub brush
Coarse salt or a mild abrasive like Bon Ami: For stuck-on bits.
A neutral oil: Think canola or vegetable oil.
Paper towels or a clean rag: For rubbing the oil.

For deep-cleaning tasks like removing burnt-on crud or rust

A scrubbing tool: Steel wool or scrubbing pad
Rubber gloves: To protect your hands from cleansers and rust.
Stainless steel scrubber: Scotch-Brite scrubbers, for example.
Cleanser: We like Bar Keepers Friend.
Items for removing severe rust: Distilled white vinegar and a container big enough to submerge the pan.

How long will it take to clean?

Cleaning cast iron is simple once you get the hang of it. Everyday cleaning takes only a few minutes. Deep cleaning and reseasoning may take a little longer. Give yourself at least two and preferably three hours. Deeper cleaning, such as eliminating layers of accumulated buildup, rust, or stains from enameled cast iron, might take anywhere from five minutes to 24 hours.

How to clean a cast-iron skillet after everyday cooking?

If you don’t want to remove the buildup, don’t scrub your cast iron with something too rough, like steel wool or a stainless steel cleaning pad. When your cookware has cooled enough to touch, wash it with a few drops of mild dish soap and a stiff bristle dish brush.

After cooking with your pan

While the skillet is still warm (but not scorching hot), remove any stuck-on particles with mild dish soap, hot water, and a non-abrasive sponge.
Rinse the pan with hot water, but don’t soak it, as this can cause rust.
Dry the pan thoroughly with paper towels or a clean cloth.
For extra dryness, you can put it on low heat on the stove or in the oven (200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit).
Otherwise, your pan might rust if you don’t dry it down completely before putting it away.
Once the pan is dry, put a very thin layer of the neutral oil (like canola) that you use to season it on it. Just a couple of drops are enough. Rub the oil all over the inside and outside of the pan (including the handle).

If your pan has stuck-on bits

To release the stubborn gunk, run hot water and add a small amount of dish soap to the pan for a few minutes.
Carefully pour off the water and scrape the pan while it is still hot.
If any bits remain, try using a stiff brush (be careful, since it can lose seasoning).
Once totally dry, season the pan’s surface with oil such as canola or flaxseed.

Use the boiling water method if food is really stuck on

Simmer a little water for 3-5 minutes to loosen stubborn, stuck-on food, then use the scraper once the pan has cooled. The steam and heat will work their magic, making it simpler to scrub the crud away. Once the pan has cooled, use the scraper to remove any stuck-on food.

How to remove rust from cast iron?

Try a rust eraser

Don’t worry if your cast iron has begun to corrode. A rust eraser (a basic block of substance designed to remove rust) can be your best friend. Scrub the rusted areas with steel wool or the Lodge Rust Eraser. Then clean the pan with warm, soapy water. Then re-season the pan.

If a cast-iron piece is completely covered in rust

Combine equal parts water and distilled white vinegar in a container that will hold your rusted cast-iron skillet, such as a bucket or a deep foil pan. Make sure the entire pan is submerged in the mixture, including the handle.

How to reseason cast iron

Seasoning is essential for preserving that beautiful nonstick surface and preventing corrosion. This is how you do it:

Clean: Begin by thoroughly washing the pan with hot soapy water. To remove rust, use either a nylon scrub brush or a fine steel wool scrubber. Once the pan is clean, thoroughly dry it both inside and out. (And keep the pan dry in the future to avoid corrosion.)
Oil: Apply a thin layer of your preferred seasoning oil to the entire pan (both inside and outside). Use safflower or canola oil, which has a high oleic index (performs well at high temperatures).
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350˚F. Place the pan upside down on the middle oven rack to prevent the oil from accumulating inside. Place a sheet of aluminium foil on the lower shelf to collect any drips. Bake the pan for an hour.
Cool: After an hour, turn off the oven and allow the pan to cool fully. When the pan has cooled, wipe away any excess oil using a paper towel.

Best Methods for Cast Iron Storage

Before storing the pan, ensure that it is thoroughly dry and kept in a dry atmosphere. This will prevent rust from forming.
After cleaning and drying, apply a thin layer of seasoning oil to the entire pan to prevent rusting.
Store your cast iron in a dry place (in a cupboard, pantry, oven, or on an oven rack), or consider purchasing a cast iron pan cover or storage bag to keep moisture and dust at bay.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning and seasoning your cast iron the right way is the best way to keep it in great shape. You don’t even need a dishwasher for this. With a little elbow grease and some TLC, your cast iron skillet will be your kitchen’s greatest friend for years to come. So, quit the dishwasher and learn the art of cast iron upkeep; your taste buds will thank you!

FAQs

Is it OK to put cast iron in the dishwasher?

Can I put my cast iron pan in the dishwasher? No. Hand washing is the best method for cleaning our cast iron cookware. A dishwasher will remove the seasoning and likely cause rust.

What to do if you accidentally put cast iron in the dishwasher?

How do you fix a cast iron pan that has been in a dishwasher?
Loosen the rust. This can be done using a vinegar/water soak, baking soda/water paste, or coarse salt to scrub the pan.
Use steel wool.
Rinse, wash, and dry thoroughly.
Re-season your pan as if it were brand new.

Can I put cast iron in the dishwasher without soap?

No. Cast iron pans are never meant to be put in the dishwasher along with the other dirty dishes after use. Even without dishwasher detergent, the cast iron in the dishwasher will still come in contact with water and oxygen, which are the main culprits for rust to develop.

Why does cast iron rust in dishwasher?

Rust forms when the cookware is exposed to moisture for extended periods of time and is not harmful in any way. If cast iron is left in the sink to soak, put in the dishwasher, or allowed to air dry, it will rust.

Why can’t you wash cast iron?

Cooks for generations didn’t use soap on cast iron pans because the soaps were made with lye and vinegar, two ingredients that will absolutely strip the seasoning and can even damage the pan’s iron. Today’s aerosol oven cleaners are often made with lye or sodium hydroxide.