How to Clean a Cast Iron Pan While Camping

Learn exactly how to clean a cast iron pan or skillet when you're camping! This is the same process I use when I'm at home too! For links to everything mentioned or shown in this video, click SHOW MORE!
//SHOP THE VIDEO:
pot scraper: bit.ly/3lYTCu3
sponge: amzn.to/2YyNQ9z
biodegradable camp soap: bit.ly/3FxZD95
seasoning spray: amzn.to/2XtZcev
pop-up camping sink: bit.ly/3Ac13lH
microfiber towel: amzn.to/3abAOkD
my pants: bit.ly/3BhtWhB
//OTHER VIDEOS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
◦ Useful Camping Organization Tips - • What's Inside My Campi...
◦ How to Wash Dishes When Camping - • How to Clean Dishes CA...
◦ Essential Camping Kitchen Gear - • WHAT KITCHEN GEAR TO P...
//MY CAMERA GEAR
Camera - amzn.to/3fhO7lE
Vlogging lens - amzn.to/3ob2IU8
Microphone - amzn.to/3uu7E85
SD card - amzn.to/2GjnaQE
My drone - amzn.to/3hkYTbd
GoPro - amzn.to/3gjMEMr
Waterproof GoPro handle - amzn.to/3pc3EIi
Music for my videos - www.epidemicso...
//LET'S CONNECT
Blog: amandaoutside.com
Instagram: / amandaoutside
Pinterest: / amandaoutside
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!
DISCLAIMER: This video description contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you click on the items mentioned. You are under NO obligation to do so. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support of my channel!
Amanda Outside: Sharing camping and hiking tips and food ideas so you can get outside more... and eat great food while you're at it!

[@amanda.outside]

You asked for this video in the comments, so here it is 😁 I hope this answers all your questions about cleaning cast iron at camp!

[@melissacruz252]

I wwwww

[@dadcochran852]

Great to see the younger generations using cast iron while camping. Sometimes I'll use coarse salt with a cut potato to get the rough stuff, also have a scraper similar to yours. Rinse it, heat it up, oil and wipe it. I personally use grapeseed oil on mine. I have pot, pans and Dutch and after using them almost daily for past 30 years the seasoning is so built up and tough that I can boil water and cook acid tomato products in them without any flaking. You are on your way to have your cast iron in same condition it appears to me.

[@darlenedavis8690]

Great overall video on cleaning and caring for cast iron. These steps can be applied at home as well as camping. I have used kosher salt and a little hot water with a soft cloth to scrub my cast iron skillet. Just a little FYI and to dispel a myth - soap is really the least of your worries when maintaining your cast iron. The "seasoning" on a cast iron pan is more than just a layer of oil. It is actually a thin layer of fat that becomes polymerized onto the surface when the pan is heated. This chemical reaction transforms the oil into a robust coating that regular dish soap isn't strong enough to break - unless you use a very abrasive scrubber or steel wool. Also, in reference to soap causing rust - soap can actually help eliminate it by removing the dirt and grease that could trap moisture on the pan. ALWAYS, always, always - make sure your pan is DRY. Moisture is the #1 enemy to cast iron. When seasoning your cast iron you should also never use olive oil or butter. You can cook with those IN a cast iron pan, however, you want an oil with a high smoke rate. This allows the oils to bake off evenly instead of turning sticky. After I clean AND dry my cast iron pans, I give them a light coating of grapeseed oil (vegetable, canola, or seasoning spray works well too), place it on the stove on med-low heat, and let it heat up for a few minutes. My cast iron pans always look amazing and are ready for use. I absolutely LOVE my cast iron - I even have some that were my grandparents.

[@danluther1741]

You sir? Know your cast iron!!

[@rescuehoundemtd]

I love all of your videos. Your boyfriend is a lucky guy. You have a great kindness when on video. Wishing you all the best.

[@Enigma277]

SUper happy to have found your content on YT after listening to your interview on The Backpacking Experience Podcast. Your content has been a missing hole in my viewership - with everybody going the UL route - and these kids getting younger and younger backpacking all the famous CONUS trails - with their fancy trendy camera gear, and schilling another backpack or trekking pole, or tent for their sponsorships - YOU! - have the Parents' Approach to camping. Car Camping Cooking Content! Pack it all, enjoy! Cast Iron! A thru-hiker would baulk at the IDEA of carrying even those li'l Lodge 4" skillets! HA! Thanks again from a beginner camping dad, who loves his CI pan, food, and wants to camp great camping experiences.

[@lesleeallen5965]

You did a great job explaining how to clean cast iron, however I’ve never used any kind of soap on mine. I’ve inherited some pieces from my mom and grandma. They truly do outlive the owners!

[@amanda.outside]

They definitely do! I found mine at an antique store years ago. I love it so much! I often wonder who cooked with it before I found it. Thanks for watching!

[@donaldguertin3968]

@@amanda.outside I have a cast iron pan from my grandmother.That pan is over 100 years old! Love it, along with the rest of my cast iron cookware.

[@chriscon8463]

I love cast iron! My pan is an old Griswold from the ‘40s that I found in an antique store in Montgomery, AL. I had to strip it with steel wool & oven cleaner but now it’s great!

[@DerekTrowbridge]

Want to sale?

[@amanda.outside]

Mine is a Griswold too that I found at an antique store in Utah. It was in really good condition, but I did have to season it first. Definitely worth the effort. It's so cool to be able to use a pan that's so old!

[@chriscon8463]

@@amanda.outside They’re so nice & made in my hometown…Erie, PA!

[@wanderingearl01]

Good stuff. I've had great success using iodized salt. I pour a bit in after scraping, brush it around. It acts as a very mild abrasive to collect up all the scraped bits and little stuff. Then just wipe with paper towel, Handkerchief, or cloth and season. Lots of ways to do it, that has just been one that works well for me. As long as it's getting cared for it'll last.

[@janevalentine6391]

Same here, I use salt!

[@YarnJourneysMelanie]

Very helpful video! BTW, my husband and I just started car camping this past Spring for the first time. We just got back today from our fourth car camping trip this year, and we had all our gear and camping skills down pat, very much due to your helpful tips and videos!! Keep ‘em coming.

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

That is a great looking pan! Well done!

[@V_is_bored]

Thank you, i'm gana use this tomorrow

[@leonardgenovese7726]

Amanda, I use cast iron all the time. One trick for very stuck on food is to boil a little water in the pan and scrape while hot. Thanks for the video. It was very helpful as I’m going to use cast iron for the first time camping.

[@jdeveau6718]

Thanks for the video! I'm going to head out and canoe camp with a cast iron pan.

[@tomaswmitchellphotography]

Great video Amanda! I’ve been cooking with cast iron for decades and you nailed this! I use and old credit card or hotel room key if I don’t have my scraper and trim it with scissors to round some edges. I also use a Scotch Bright pad if I have problem spots but usually leave those to when I get home. Great job!

[@joannekoehler1788]

I asked for this video months ago and it was worth the wait!

[@LastNameTom]

I sanded mine down with 80 and then 220 grit sand paper until it was smooth, then did five 1 hour long seasoning and oven cycles with flax seed oil. After that, absolutely NOTHING sticks to my pan. I literally just wait until it's cool, and use a wet paper towel, dry, then season it and it's perfect.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Great video! I love to cook in cast iron, but so rarely get to while camping.

[@Sanxioned1]

While this method does certainly work, I found a very easy way which is simply to pour a small amount of BOILING water onto the HOT pan. All the gunk immediately comes off. And I mean this is after cooking veggies, steak, eggs, all in the same pan over several hours. The pan is so hot that the left over water evaporates quickly before it can set, and then you just dump the water, scrape anything off loosely with a wooden spoon, re heat the pan so the water evaporates, re-oil, and bam. Good to go. Been doing that for 2 years now after YEARS of painstaking other cleaning methods. Boiling water + hot pan = super clean pan with minimal loss of non-stick. The only catch is the heating at the end to force evaporate any lingering water.

[@slamboy66]

You made a easy job hard. When camping always have hot water ready. Pour in hot water on hot pan and clean, then add oil, crisco or bacon blood over fire to seal pan. EASY.

[@johnbuckley2182]

Enjoyed your video very much. Great information. You explained the process in detail.

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello 👋 Amanda, thank you for sharing this most helpful cleaning tip. When car camping, my favorite cooking utensil is the cast iron skillet, so I want to take good care of it. I appreciate all of your camping tips. Please take good care of yourself. Stay safe and healthy. 🤗

[@amanda.outside]

Hi Ronald! I love cooking with cast iron. I use the skillet all the time at home too! Glad you liked the video, and as always, thank you for watching!

[@Yukon85226]

I appreciate this video very much. I have been trying to learn about cast iron pan care. Thanks.

[@amanda.outside]

You are so welcome!

[@jamieb6137]

I use a bit of oil and some salt in it while it is still hot. Then wipe clean with a cloth or slightly damp cloth. It works really well and doesn't harm your seasoning. Your little rubber scrubber would be really good to use along with this to get off the tough spots.

[@chrisallmand1805]

Hooked on this channel. Love it ❤️

[@justinemjkang7504]

Hi Amanda, thank you for your great video! I wondered how to be clean a cast iron from the last video, but now it' is very clear to understand.

[@amanda.outside]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jacquelineravensbergen9644]

Do you clean or treat the outside of the pan? Thanks, Amanda!

[@jamespayette7574]

Hey Amanda….I’ve stayed away from cast iron because of the confusion around seasoning…some instructions say it is pre seasoned…others say you must season it several times before use….at least now I know how to clean one!

[@amanda.outside]

Most new cast iron skillets come pre-seasoned and that's definitely the easiest way to get started using one. I got mine at an antique store so it did need to be seasoned. Also, the more you use it, the better the seasoning gets!

[@jamespayette7574]

@@amanda.outside thanks Amanda….Me and Nic think you’re a sweetheart!

[@acajungirltravelstheworld2285]

Useful info. Enjoyed it.

[@davidsavage5930]

Beautiful pan! Looks vintage. Love CI!

[@amanda.outside]

It is! It's a Griswold I found at an antique store. 😁

[@davidsavage5930]

@@amanda.outside I figured it was. They don't make them like that anymore! Griswold's are hard to find by me and are very pricey too.

[@kathybullmer8884]

I have been using cast iron cookware for a long time at home and camping. I am very picky about them as you are.❤🏕 Thanks for sharing!

[@amanda.outside]

Me too! It's the main pan I cook with at home and camping. Cast iron is the best!

[@bevrleygreen3900]

Thank you for the video I have just got a Dutch oven and frying pan for my camping holidays next year in UK I just wish we could have bonfires like you do in America

[@baddriversofmoosejaw8681]

There's another way to clean cast iron. I do it with mine every week. Fill the skillet with water and leave it on the stove or campfire while washing the dishes. After the water has been boiling for a while, scrape it with a spatula, dump it out and wipe the inside of the skillet with a washcloth or sponge under running hot water. The heat will loosen the food particles and make them very easy to remove. After that return the skillet to the heat and remove once all the water has evaporated. It isn't perfect but I find it the easiest way to keep it clean.

[@mikeduncan0895]

Baddriver, when you do that, you risk rust and if you don't reseason your cast iron, you're gonna have major sticking problems.

[@baddriversofmoosejaw8681]

@@mikeduncan0895 That's the reason you put it back on the heat after washing the water evaporates and prevents rust. If you just dry it with a dish towel and then leave it to drain that will cause rust. I've been doing that with mine for years and never had a problem. You can reseason right after the water has evaporated too but it's better to do that in an oven.

[@petefrost1787]

Hi, another great video. When I find that the scraper doesn't get off the really tough stuck stuff I boil a bit of water in the pan and the stuck stuff lifts off during the short boil, no scraping needed.

[@joycemoses2411]

Great information! Thank you!!!

[@YellowScubadiver]

Great video Amanda!

[@TheGbortnick]

Great video but when cooking over a rocket stove, bottom gets very sooty. How do you clean that off especially for transport. I don’t want to spread soot all over my camper or cupboards!

[@lifewithpeter2819]

Great video and thanks for all the useful information. Do you ever cook over an open fire with your cast-iron? If so then how do you clean the spot on the outside. Thanks

[@amanda.outside]

Yes I do cook over a flame with my cast iron! All I do it wipe the outside with a dry cloth so it doesn't get anything else that it touches dirty. That's it!

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

My late mother had a cast iron pan older than me that was absolutely jet black & smooth as glass. I would have loved to have gotten that when she passed...

[@unpavedexplorer338]

Very good method.

[@SharpBalisong]

I bet a wok cleaning whisk would work great too for scraping out food particles. All natural. Made of bamboo.

[@henrypadilla7763]

Awesome do you heat the cast iron after you put oil

[@meYogii_]

no, usually u just store it like that. It dries after a while by itself.

[@francismcclaughry3794]

most older cast iron will not stick most cast iron skillet of old have a very slick surface . I use a metal scratching pad on mine.I have a no. eight that I use most of the time. since I using this pan I coat it after each use. clean the same way at camp.. I might have some sand to clean the skillet first.

[@philipwaldner5345]

I find it best to warm up the pan and add some hot water and use a mace scrubber. Easy peesey. After a rinse dry with rag or paper towel and warm it up with heat source. Add a bit of oil and wipe it and let it cool

[@howarddeheer8295]

I use soap all time give them a good rinse no problem.

[@healthyroots247]

I love your videos! I watch them and incorporate them into my own family. We recently went on a camping trip I was so excited for. Sadly, an infestation of Yellow Jacket wasps, and skunks ruined our trip. The Wasps were the worst of it! We couldn't prepare any food or relax at our table without being haunted and chased by Yellow Jackets. Does this type of thing ever happen to you? What do you do to stay positive and create a safe environment for yourself? We had planned so many fun culinary explorations after watching your videos, only to have those plans ruined by food attracting swarms of wasps :(

[@francoiscoteii9991]

This may sound strange, but how do you clean the soot from the outside of the pan?

[@R3DB3ARD92]

Thank you!!

[@danluther1741]

Again, excellent info but do you really carry all that wirh you while camping? (Unless you're in an RV etc...)

[@bengb25]

How do you store your cast iron pan? Because you did wipe it with oil. Won’t it attract dust and things?

[@wayuncharted236]

How about the soot?

[@zahireenk513]

Yayyy thank you!!!!

[@steventure85]

Boil some water in it. Cover and let sit for a couple minutes. Anything stuck will wipe right out. Light oil and done

[@meYogii_]

i do that too

[@AngelaHoodWritesSavannahRose]

Thank you for posting. I've recently started taking a smaller cast iron skillet when we camp. Great information. I've going to a Lodge Factory Outlet this upcoming weekend. Think I might look for that seasoning spray. I've never seen it before. I usually use avocado oil (or veggie oil if I have it).

[@jenniferf5606]

My partner and I are going camping alone together for the first time. I’ve never used a cast iron pan but I want to buy one to use just for camping. Do you have any suggestions on how to store it to avoid rusting? I’m worried it will if we don’t use it for an extended period of time. Thanks!

[@dadcochran852]

Don't get discouraged with it. It takes time and practice. Look up kent rollins and the like for great cast iron care tips

[@bucktownboy1381]

A nice coarse salt does wonders too

[@CreachterZ]

The best tool to clean cast iron is a chainmail scrubber. Using soap on cast iron is fine. That rule came from when soap was made from lye. Use Dawn and you’ll be fine.

[@adx442]

This is what we use at home. We bought a stainless steel chain mail scrubber over 10 years ago, used at least twice a week, and it still looks brand new.

[@diegotobar6839]

Quick and fast way to clean cast iron is pour some boiling water into it while the pan is still ripping hot. The water instantly turns to steam and "steam cleans" your pan for you. Wipe it down with a lint free cloth and repeat again if necessary. No soap or scrubbing needed.

[@Rockhunter329]

It is also possible to crack or warp a skillet this way, esp the older ones. Warm but not HOT would be safer.

[@Danavalleyable]

Best way to clean a cast iron pan while camping ( or otherwise) is to pour a few tablespoons of salt and scrub dry with a cloth or paper towel. Brush out. Works like a charm !

[@redwhiteblue7831]

When camping, I leave it greasy/dirty until the next meal. The bugs, pine needles, and dirt will dirty it anyways. To clean, I get the cast iron hot, and pour warm water on it, the nasty crap comes up, then pour out the water. Final step, I wipe with a washcloth... never using soap of any kind, or using paper towels, they will stick in the pores.

[@awkward-stranger]

Don't tell my wife, but now I know I have been cleaning our cast iron all wrong! Thanks👽👽🚀🚀

[@amanda.outside]

You're welcome!!

[@tracyrupp764]

Believe it or not, my mama had hers until a small hole wore thru it! Nothing gives a better cooking texture than cast iron.

[@amanda.outside]

Wow! That's crazy! I agree that cooking in cast iron really is the best!

[@RobinT-treehugger]

I have this argument every time we use our cast iron. I say never use soap, my hubby insists on soapy water and scrubbing then adding oil on surface when done. Makes me crazy!

[@meYogii_]

It's not dangerous to use soap in a cast iron pan. But u have to remember to add some oil before u store it. Not nessesary to clean it that much every single time though. I understand ur crazy. ^^

[@Rockhunter329]

Modern soaps do not harm the seasoning on cast iron.

[@christopherkelly9153]

Soak my cast iron often. It is crazy well seasoned. No effect.

[@butchbinion1560]

✌️👊

[@meYogii_]

Unless u don't use soap in the pan it's pretty unnessesary to add the oil. U're supposed to have grease in ur pan when u fry stuff and then if u just clean it with water there's still gonna be a little bit of grease left in the pan. That's gonna be enough until ur gonna use it again. The oil isn't gonna disappear just by cleaning it with water, especially if it's cold water. There's another story if the food get stuck or u do baking stuff like u did that time and it dried in. Then I'll just put water in it, let it boil for a few minutes and then dry it with a paper towel. Then use the oil. I wonder why u put the water in your dish bowl? The cast iron pan looked pretty clean... Was it just to show that u have one of those?

[@stephencameron7560]

Why waste time after cooking put water in your burn put it back over the fire let It come to boil tip the water out and wipe the pan out be careful it will be hot once clean put a small amount of oil in the pan wipe it all over and you are ready to go again use a cloth not paper towel

[@flushot6513]

I just use salt as my abrasive

[@toml.8210]

Cast iron!? The only thing that's iron on my camping trips are the brake drums on the car, which stays at the camp pareking lot. I only carrty lightweight aluminium cook gear.

[@theodorehyatt1782]

Please learn how to clean steel pans first you always clean pans while still hot if they are not hot heat them up squirt water on them grab metal no scratch pad use while water is hot rinse with more water wipe with cloth two drops of oil rubbing in with paper towel I usually let mine air dry because the pan is still warm I really love you people who use that spray can crap it's so healthy and green

[@vitaminb4869]

All this trouble to clean a pan. I'd just use a regular pan, soak it, and just wipe it with a paper towel.

[@AgentSmith-x9p]

If scraper was made of cast iron would be better.

[@kricklasalty8599]

Get on with it!

[@DerekTrowbridge]

Trying to season a cast iron pan has become " The Bain of Existence ". I try and give up but then try again later .... : 😢

[@amanda.outside]

It is a long process, but once you get a good seasoning on there and take good care of it, you'll never have to do it again!

[@DerekTrowbridge]

​@@amanda.outside I know as I grew up with one. Maybe I will try again

[@DeeMoback]

You don't use enough grease to cook in...... yup

[@WillGGG]

Not quite sure I understand the grief associated with these pans. I clean mine with soap and water and make sure its dry when done. If it becomes unusable, I'll just buy a new one. The one I have was only $10 at target and I've had it for a few years. I dont understand the attempt to make these things last forever.

[@lisaf-d8521]

Having something last is one way to minimize our environmental impact since the resources required to create something new are not needed. Plus, the landfills are growing with all our trash.

[@InfamousMS]

It’s really about preserving the seasoning to keep it non-stick. Will cook its best that way. When you use soap, you’ll strip away much of the seasoning, making it a PITA to cook with. Not much you can do to ruin cast iron, but you may need to re-season to bring it back to life.

[@Rockhunter329]

​@@InfamousMSUnless the soap contains lye, it will not strip seasoning off a skillet. A soap like Dawn works just fine.

[@StarLiightDream]

So an iron cast pan is basically a car?

[@user1233002]

Sorry, No Soap.

[@meYogii_]

it's nothing wrong with using soap once in a while, it's not gonna destroy your pan. But u need to remember to add some oil afterwards to prevent rust.^^

[@Rockhunter329]

Soaps without lye will not harm the seasoning.