I've been cooking in cast iron skillets for years and one of the first things I learned if you wouldn't put it in your mouth then don't us it to clean cast iron, i.e. no soap. As a cast iron veteran, I only use a chain mail scrubber or a stainless-steel scouring pad and scalding hot water from the tap to get the chunks off and prepare the surface to oil and make them ready or the next meal. One other thing I've learned, is the last meal you prepared in a cast iron skillet will be tasted in your next meal. One time, and one time only, I "baked" fish sticks in the skillet in my oven. The next meal I cooked was scrambled eggs... the eggs had a hint of fish sticks - not good.
I've been cooking in cast iron skillets for years and one of the first things I learned if you wouldn't put it in your mouth then don't us it to clean cast iron, i.e. no soap. As a cast iron veteran, I only use a chain mail scrubber or a stainless-steel scouring pad and scalding hot water from the tap to get the chunks off and prepare the surface to oil and make them ready or the next meal. One other thing I've learned, is the last meal you prepared in a cast iron skillet will be tasted in your next meal. One time, and one time only, I "baked" fish sticks in the skillet in my oven. The next meal I cooked was scrambled eggs... the eggs had a hint of fish sticks - not good.