You can skip getting cast iron wet entirely if you have a barely soiled pan. Wipe well with a paper towel and reheat the skillet on the stovetop on medium for several minutes to kill off any germs. Give it another wipe once the pan has cooled slightly. You may see some black residue on your paper towels, which is perfectly normal.

Cast iron is an excellent, durable cooking tool, but it requires proper care and cleaning techniques to maintain its nonstick surface for years. Fortunately, the best way to anything clean cast iron—pans,

These are some of the top cast iron skillets to add to your cookware collection, including pans from Lodge and Stargazer.

Wash the Skillet with Warm Soapy Water and Dry Well: While using soap on cast iron was frowned upon for years, it is, in fact, OK. After washing, rinse off any soap, then dry the pan thoroughly with a soft cloth. The skillet is raw iron at this point, and water will cause it to rust.

Cast iron is a true kitchen workhorse, versatile and heavy duty enough to last a lifetime. It needs a little extra TLC, but it’s well worth the effort – from seasoning to soap, here are your cast iron need-to-knows.