We had the opportunity to sit down and answer some questions on cleaning vs. restoring vintage and antique cast iron in an article on Veranda.com. The author, Shelby Deering, was looking for tips and recommendations on how to clean them and what to clean them with safely. Of course we had to get a plug in there for our Cast Iron Conditioning Balm, which we are biased in believing is the best you can buy! Here is the excerpt from the article that came out on St. Patty's Day, March 17th, 2026. Enjoy!
How to Clean Cast Iron Cookware - The Right Way
"Timeless and substantial, cast iron provides an old-fashioned feel to a kitchen, and it’s ideal for cooking up things like cornbread, pork chops, bacon, and more. Phil Shafer, owner of Cast & Clara Bell, which specializes in restored cast iron cookware, says that when it comes down to the basics of cleaning cast iron, his care philosophy is simple: Keep it clean, keep it dry, and cook with it often.
To upkeep your antique cast iron cookware, Shafer details these steps:
1. Scrub your cookware as soon as you're done cooking, when it’s still warm but manageable to scrub. “If you let it sit so food cakes on, you will have to scrub harder and risk taking off some recent layering,” he adds.
2. Dry it in the oven and not on the stovetop. “One of the best ways to damage a pan is by forgetting you have it drying on the stove element and heating it up too high, causing a crack or warp,” he says. “Set your oven to 250 degrees and place the wet piece in the oven. When it hits 250, turn it off and let it dry on its own.”
3. When dry, immediately apply a small amount of your favorite oil (or, there’s something called cast iron conditioning balm, something that Cast & Clara Bell makes). Avoid seed oil-based products—like vegetable shortening, flaxseed oil, or grapeseed oil. Apply it to the piece and wipe it completely down. The goal is to create a non-stick surface, which is often referred to as “seasoning.”
4. After the whole piece has been oiled and conditioned, wipe it all completely off. “Similar to hand-waxing a car, you’ll want to really buff it all off so there is no sticky residue. It should not feel oily to the touch,” Shafer advises."
FULL ARTICLE IS HERE: https://www.veranda.com/home-decorators/a70760951/how-to-clean-antique-cookware/
