The Pantry Ingredient That Cleans Caked-On Grease On Cast Iron Skillets In No Time

Cast iron skillets are the unsung hero of the kitchen. You can sauté veggies, sear meat, and even transfer your pan to the oven while cooking. Cast iron is able to do all of this thanks to its non-stick properties, provided it's properly seasoned with oil and cleaned correctly after use. One of the best ways to clean and care for your cast iron pan — absorbing excess oil after cooking — is with a pantry ingredient you probably have for breakfast: oatmeal. Sprinkle oats and a splash of water in your pan, and watch the magic begin.

Although you can clean cast iron with soap and water, it's not recommended. The concern is that the pan's seasoning, or protective, non-stick layer of carbonized oil, can wash away with soap. This is why some people scrape their pans clean, using other methods to remove residual grease. (If you don't have a scraper, Lodge sells them on Amazon for $6.) In this hack, oats are used for sopping up the leftover cooking oil. If you're new to cast iron and this entire process seems tedious, it's actually quite easy to become accustomed to. With a little elbow grease and a generous handful of oats, you can easily clean your cast iron skillet. And, if you have some oats leftover from this cleaning hack, you can use them to banish unwanted fridge odors, giving this breakfast meal dual kitchen cleaning properties.

Yes, any type of oat will work, but the best kind to use are rolled oats or old-fashioned oats. They absorb more liquid (and oil) than other types of oats. Once your cast iron skillet is scraped clean of food bits and any other residual debris, add a little water and a handful of old-fashioned oats and start scrubbing. It's best to use a clean washcloth if you don't have a scrubber. As you scrub, the oats will begin to absorb any grease. Once clean, wipe your oats away with a paper towel.

If you or a family member are allergic to oats and can't use this hack, you can opt to add a thin layer of water to your pan and bring it to a simmer — this should take three to five minutes. Drain the water, let the pan cool, and use the scraper again. Avoid getting rust on your cast iron pan by patting the skillet dry when wet.

If this hack removed too much oil, you may need to reseason your cast iron pan. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Use your preferred cooking oil, applying a thin layer to your entire pan. A popular recommendation is grape seed oil for seasoning cast iron. Once oiled, bake your cast iron skillet (upside down) for an hour, putting a cookie sheet on the bottom rack to catch any oil drippings. Once it's done baking, remove it to cool. As a rule of thumb, season your pan monthly or after removing too much oil.