Chances are, your frying pans see a lot of action on a regular basis. Whether you’re scrambling eggs for breakfast or searing steak for dinner, a frying pan is likely going to end up in your sink by the end of the day. To help these kitchen staples withstand daily use in the long term, it's important to learn how to properly clean and care for it, regardless if you prefer non stick, stainless steel, ceramic, enameled cast iron, or carbon steel.
In this guide we’ll dive into the basics of each material, including how to clean it and what to avoid (primarily the dishwasher, at all costs). In general, however, skillet maintenance is light and follows a similar method across the board, regardless of construction material.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel’s unique surface behaves like a hybrid of cast iron and stainless steel. It’s a chef go-to and the best of both worlds—it’s lightweight and non stick with seasoning, but durable and high-performance at even the highest temperatures. When it comes to washing carbon steel, appeal to its cast iron sensibilities—meaning treat it carefully and avoid soap and scrubbing unless you’re planning to season it afterwards.
How to Clean Carbon Steel Frying Pans
In order to preserve the carefully built-up seasoning layers on carbon steel, start by blotting out any excess grease with a paper towel. If any bits of particularly stubborn food still remain, you can add a small amount of water, bring it to a boil and then scrape the surface with a spatula. Dry your pan fully and re-season it with a thin coat of neutral oil.
For more stubborn messes, you can also use coarse salt to scour the pan. While the pan is still warm but not hot, pour in about a cup of salt and use a folded dish towel, paper towel, or stiff-bristled dish brush to scrub the salt into its surface. Discard the salt and rinse the pan with hot water before drying thoroughly (essential to avoid rusting) and reseasoning.
To reseason your pan, coat its surface with a tablespoon of vegetable oil and heat over the stove or in the oven. This will help maintain its naturally Non Stick cooking surface. Check out our guide to the subject for even more information on cleaning a carbon steel pan.
Ceramic Non Stick
Much like other pieces of non stick cookware, our CeramiClad™ Non Stick is a breeze to both cook with and clean afterwards. The main factor to keep in mind when cleaning a ceramic pan (or any piece of non stick cookware) is to protect the coating of the pan—scrubbing too hard, running it through the dishwasher, or even scraping at some stubborn residue with a sharp-edged utensil can all permanently damage the delicate non stick coating.
How to Clean Ceramic Frying Pans
There's truly no complicated science or method to cleaning a ceramic pan—you can even wipe it clean with a paper towel if you're cooking something else right after. Most times, a simple rinse and wipe with a soapy dish sponge is enough to get it clean. Every so often, remember to clean the outside and bottom of the pan to keep it from getting too stained or discolored—and only clean your pan once it's cool to the touch.
For more details or to handle a particularly stubborn mess, check out our guide to cleaning and caring for CeramiClad™.
Enameled Cast Iron
Due to its smooth cooking surface, enameled cast iron is easier to both clean and care for than its unfinished counterpart. This is because unfinished cast iron is porous and requires seasoning to develop a non stick cooking surface. Enameled cast iron, on the other hand, is layered with a smooth, enameled surface that makes for easy cooking and clean up.
How to Clean Enameled Cast Iron Skillets
If you’re using an enameled cast iron skillet for everyday uses, such as frying eggs and sautéing vegetables, it’s likely that your skillet won’t be too difficult to clean. Simply let your pan cool after cooking (sudden temperature changes can damage cause thermal shock, leading to warping), rinse the surface of your pan thoroughly, and scrub off any food residue with dish soap and the abrasive side of a dish sponge.
For more challenging stuck-on bits of food that won’t come off with soap and water, try soaking the skillet in warm water for a spell, then gently scrubbing again. Reference our guide to cleaning enameled cast iron for more stubborn messes.
ProCoat Non Stick
Our ProCoat Non Stick Frying Pans are coated with multiple layers of a premium, professional-grade non stick coating that prevents food from sticking. This ensures an easy, seamless cleanup at the end of the night, no matter what you were cooking. Just like with ceramic, be mindful of the coating when cleaning, stacking, and cooking.
How to Clean Non Stick Frying Pans
To clean off stuck-on bits of food, rinse the pan with warm water and gently wipe its surface with dish soap and the soft side of a dish sponge. It’s important to avoid abrasive tools, like steel wool, when cleaning non stick cookware, as its surface can be easily damaged. The same goes for putting non stick in the dishwasher—we highly recommend only cleaning non stick cookware by hand.
Check out our guide for in-depth advice on cleaning non stick pans for more guidance if you come across an intensive cleaning need.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel pans are revered by home and professional chefs alike for their incredibly durable, nonreactive surface, as they’re constructed from thin layers of premium metals and alloys optimized for efficiency and conductivity. These are “cladded” together to create a durable, unfussy cooking surface with an attractive burnished exterior.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans
To clean your stainless pan, start with warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. To remove burnt residue, we recommend soaking the pan in hot water before scrubbing its surface with Stainless Steel Cleaner or similar.
If you don’t have a cleaning solution formulated for stainless steel, a little more elbow grease and common kitchen tools will do the job about as well—though it’ll take more effort. A vinegar rinse will help remove rainbow discoloration, while a paste of baking soda and water helps remove stuck-on food.
Make sure to avoid abrasive cleaning tools not specifically formulated for stainless steel, such as steel wool, as they can scratch your pan’s surface. For more information on cleaning stainless steel, take a look at our guide to cleaning your stainless steel pan in 3 steps.
Do You Really Need to Follow Cookware Cleaning Instructions?
Just as we do with updated user agreements, many of us take cookware’s often-specific cleaning instructions as “something to skim.” However, to prolong the lifespan of your pan, we advise actually reading your cookware’s instructions—and following them.
If you've invested in premium cookware that can last decades with proper care, then you're only doing yourself—and your wallet!—a disservice by not taking considerations with cleaning and care.
Ready to Cook?
Now that you’re an expert on cleaning a frying pan, it’s time to take stock of the pans currently in your kitchen. In need of a new one? Choose from our variety of chef- and home cook-approved materials to find the best fit.
