My sister-in-law said she never washes her cast iron with soap, and I had to ask why.

We were making breakfast at her place in Austin, and she just rinsed her pan with hot water and a stiff brush. She said her grandma taught her that soap strips the seasoning, a rule she's followed for 15 years. I always used a tiny bit of mild soap myself, so it made me look it up. Turns out, modern dish soap doesn't have lye like the old stuff, so it's actually fine to use. Now I'm curious, what's the one old rule you were taught about cast iron that you've since changed your mind on?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_julia2mo ago

Took me years to unlearn the "never put acidic stuff in it" rule. My mom acted like tomato sauce would melt the pan. Now I make chili and skillet lasagna in mine all the time. As long as the seasoning is solid and you don't let it sit for hours, it's totally fine. The pan can handle it, and a quick clean and oil after is all it needs.

flores.tessa2mo ago

But what about the iron taste, @the_julia?

elizabeth_gonzalez3d ago

It's funny how many of those old rules we blindly follow just because someone we trusted said so. That kitchen wisdom gets passed down like gospel, but half the time it's based on outdated tools or techniques nobody questions anymore. Probably applies to a lot more than just cookware, if you sit and think about it.