A cast iron pan is an indispensable kitchen tool, and something that every home cook should own. Cast iron pans have a reputation for being high-maintenance, and many pan owners live in fear or somehow doing something that would render their prized heirloom unusable. In reality, however, cast iron pans are nearly indestructible.
If it gets rusty, the rust can be scraped off. If it loses its seasoning, it can be re-seasoned easily, and you can get back to cooking all your favorite cast iron dishes in no time. And contrary to popular belief, a small amount of dish soap can be used to clean a well-seasoned pan without affecting the seasoning. But there is one thing that you should absolutely never do to your cast iron pan: put a hot pan into cold water.
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