Can You Use Brillo Pad On Cast Iron? (Tips & More)

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Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:24 pm

If you love cast iron and want to keep your pan looking great, there are several things you can do to make it last forever and keep your food tasting great.

One of the most important things to do with cast iron is dry it thoroughly after washing it with soap and water; if left wet, rust will develop on the surface, and it will be difficult to remove later. 

People wonder if they can use the same cleaning methods on their cast iron pan on their other kitchen pans.

Unfortunately, you must avoid using abrasive cleaners on your cast iron skillet, so you can’t use the classic wire-bristled Brillo pad either.

You can use Brillo pads on cast iron; however, you shouldn’t use your Brillo pad to clean your pan or skillet. More specifically, you should never use abrasive materials on any cast iron cookware because they will eventually ruin the non-stick surface that helps keep food from sticking to the pan in the first place.

Can You Use a Brillo Pad On Cast Iron Pan?

You can use a Brillo pad on a cast iron pan, but it’s not the best way to clean it. Do not use a Brillo pad on your cast iron skillet. 

A Brillo pad should not cause problems if you have a well-seasoned cast-iron pad.

However, if your pan is not well-seasoned or if you use a harsh detergent to clean it, then using a Brillo pad could remove the seasoning from your pan.

A better way is to use a wool scrubber. If your pan is new, you’ll need to season it first.

Seasoning cast iron is easy – cook something in it. Once you’ve used your pan a few times, you’ll need to clean it.

In addition, if your pan is enameled or has a non-stick coating, using a Brillo pad to clean it can damage that coating.

To safely remove stuck-on food or prevent food from sticking in your cast iron pan, try cleaning it with hot water and some kosher salt or baking soda. 

Never put your cast iron in a dishwasher because it can rust. To dry your pan, wipe it with a towel or place it on top of your stove over low heat.

Can You Use a Brillo Pad On Enameled Cast Iron?

You can use a Brillo pad on enameled cast iron, but it’s not the best way to clean your cookware.

The wool pads are abrasive and can damage the enamel coating, exposing the bare metal beneath.

If you must use a Brillo pad, go lightly and avoid scrubbing in one spot for too long.

A better way to clean your enameled cast iron is to use hot water, soap, or a gentle dishwashing liquid.

Make sure that you’re using warm, not hot, water. When it comes to soap or detergent, a non-abrasive option is best.

Last update on 2022-12-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Avoid abrasive cleaners and scouring pads; they can scratch and etch your enameled cast iron over time.

After cleaning your enameled cast iron, make sure to dry it thoroughly. You don’t want it to sit in a pool of water after washing.

You can use a dish towel or paper towel to remove excess moisture and leave your cookware shiny and ready for cooking.

Avoid using a Brillo pad on enameled cast iron, as it is an abrasive pad and can still damage your cookware over time.

Avoid abrasive cleaners as they can scratch and etch your cookware’s finish.

Can You Use a Brillo Pad To Clean a Cast-Iron Skillet?

You can use a Brillo pad to clean a cast-iron skillet, but it’s not the best way to clean it.

The wool will get caught in the pores of the cast iron and eventually rust. It’s better to clean your cast iron with hot water and a stiff brush.

It would be best if you made it a habit to wash utensils made of cast iron while they are still hot.

After this, food won’t become trapped, and you won’t have to resort to using pressure or an excessively abrasive cleaning material.

Last update on 2022-12-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Steel wool and soap are the two main components of a Brillo pad. Steel wool does not harm iron.

In reality, it works pretty well for cleaning utensils made of iron. Steel wool, however, has the potential to ruin the seasoning on your cast iron cookware.

For the second method, you can use vinegar and baking soda when cleaning your cast iron skillet and a Brillo pad.

You shouldn’t put acidic substances like vinegar in cast iron, but you’re not drinking it here. Know that baking soda cleans, deodorizes, and removes residues. 

There are a few methods by which you can use the Brillo pad to clean your cast iron skillet.

It also shows how you can use vinegar and baking soda to clean your cast iron pan.

Method 1	Method 2
Clean your cast iron pad with coarse salt and hot water. Scrub with a Brillo pad to remove food debris.	Boil 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in a cast iron pan, then dump it.
Heat the utensil for 30-60 seconds to remove moisture. Flip it and repeat. You can also dry it using a dishtowel.	Scrub the cast iron pan with a Brillo pad and baking soda. Abrasive baking soda removes scorched food.
Apply a small amount of oil with a paper towel to season the pan. Oil prevents spoilage.	Rinse the utensil (preferably hot).
If you’re using a pan often, store it now. If you don’t use it much, keep it upside down.	After washing cast iron, oil it to avoid rotting.

The best oil is flaxseed, but it’s pricey and hard to find. Olive, sunflower, canola, coconut, and vegetable oils are others.

Will a Brillo Pad Ruin a Cast Iron Skillet?

Cast iron pans are durable, but they do require some special care. One common question is whether using a Brillo pad to clean a cast-iron skillet won’t ruin it.

The short answer is yes. A Brillo pad is too abrasive and will strip the seasoning from your pan, destroying it.

If you give it a quick scrub, you should be able to get rid of the seasoning that was on the pan.

Cast iron is more delicate than steel and abrasives included in the Brillo pad, so if you scrub the surface with too much force, it can also destroy the underlying iron.

Last update on 2022-12-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It’s important to remember that while you can use a Brillo pad to clean your cast iron skillet, it won’t leave it looking shiny and new.

Cleaning with a Brillo pad will remove a lot of built-up gunk and even some rust, but it doesn’t leave behind any protective coating.

While you can use a Brillo pad to clean your skillet, if you value it, it’s probably best to stick with soap and water or another mild detergent.

A Brillo pad will undoubtedly make cleaning faster, but it might also cause more damage than good.

In most cases, cleaning your cast iron pan with a Brillo pad isn’t a good idea. While they remove built-up grime and rust, they also scratch and chip away at your cookware.

Conclusion

In summary, a Brillo pad isn’t good for you to use when cleaning your cast iron skillet.

However, when used on a cast iron pan, it removes the seasoning in the pan; you use it to clean tough stains in your pan.

So, if you want to use a Brillo pad on your cast iron skillet, do it properly and follow the steps in this article.

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