Care & Cleaning of Cast Iron                             
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The single most important thing you can do for your Cast Iron Cookware is take good care of it! With proper maintenance, your cookware will last a lifetime only to get better and better with age.  

So what's the key?  Clean your cast iron with boiling water and a piece of aluminum foil.  NEVER use soaps or detergents.  NEVER use a scouring pad.  I use a wad of foil because the foil brakes down before it damages the seasoning. The foil, however, is usually strong enough to get off those pesky pieces of cooked on food.  Plus, I use foil often when I'm cooking and can get a second use out of the same piece when I clean up with it. After you've got the big stuff off, wipe it DRY with a paper towel.

Why not use soap?  Your Cast Iron is a porous metal.  Soap can get into the pores and you'll contaminate your foods when you cook with it.  Also, soap can harm the seasoning.  If you inadvertantly use soap on a piece of cast iron, you'll need to go back to square one and re-season. Ugh!

Don't forget to apply a thin coat of oil after you clean up.  A quick spay with cooking oil and wipe with a paper towel will do the trick.  This will preserve the metal while being stored.  Don't go overboard with the oil.  Just a dash and a good wiping does the trick. Lastly, Be sure to store your cast iron where it will stay nice and dry.