How to Clean Cast Iron While Camping

cooking a pancake in a cast iron skillet over a campfire — Photo: FrankieCarr/Getty Images

There are few activities that I enjoy more than cooking in the great outdoors. There's something about an open flame, a dusty grill grate, and some fresh air that make cooking even more enjoyable for me. But as much as I love taking my culinary skills outside, there are definitely some challenges that cooking while camping poses.

The biggest struggle? Cleaning up, of course. Caring for a cast iron is tricky enough when you have access to a full kitchen and running water, so you can imagine how difficult it is to keep this thing clean once you're out in the middle of nowhere at a campsite with no amenities. Worry not, there are ways to keep your prized cast iron cookware in good shape. Here's everything you need to keep in mind before you head out on your next trip.

Bring an Inexpensive Cast Iron

Listen, just because there are ways to care for your cast iron doesn't mean you should bring the best cast iron skillet that you own. Leave your prized, enameled Staub or Le Creuset items at home and opt for a more budget friendly line like Lodge or Basic Essentials. These skillets are super durable, and more importantly, they're not terribly pricey. So, if you do scruff 'em up, it's no big deal.

Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, 10"

Lodge 10-inch Cast Iron — Williams Sonoma

Buy It: $24.95; Williams Sonoma

Basic Essentials 3-Piece Cast Iron Frying Pan Set

Buy It: $38.69; Wayfair

Bring Clean Kitchen Towels and Stainless Steel Scrubbers

There's no way around the fact that you're going to get some food stuck on your pan after you've been using it for eggs, burgers, tacos, and whatever else you've got going over the fire. To help wipe these stubborn bits away, it's helpful to have some stainless steel scrubbers or a cast iron brush that can loosen stuck-on bits from the pan, as well as some clean kitchen towels to wipe it all away.

Scotch-Brite Stainless Steel Scrubbing Pads (3-pk.)

Buy It: $2.49; Target

Full Circle Tenacious C Cast Iron Brush

Mainstays 10-Piece Flour Sack Kitchen Towel Set

Buy It: $7.88; Walmart

Make an Abrasive Salt Paste

If you're still having trouble removing some especially stubborn, stuck-on food particles, sprinkle the pan with salt, then add a few drops of warm water and make a paste. This will act as an abrasive and help you scrub away any lingering food bits. Wipe away any salt after you're done scrubbing.

Don't Sweat the Soap

Most people will tell you to keep even a drop of soap miles away from your cast iron cookware. Sure — too much dish soap on your pan is not great for the pores in the cast iron, however a few drops won't ruin the skillet. If you have warm, soapy water that you're using to clean your other cookware and utensils, it's okay to use this water on your cast iron, as well. Resources are limited in the great outdoors so now is not the time to be picky over what your cast iron can and cannot handle. Make sure to dry your pan immediately with a clean towel afterwards.

A Warm Pan Is a Clean Pan

It's always easier to clean a warm pan with warm water. If you need to heat a little bit of water to pour over your pan for cleaning, then you should definitely do that. While it is generally a great trick to boil water in a dirty pan for a long time to loosen any caked-on bits, this is not ideal for a cast iron skillet because it's so porous. Instead, you'll want to pour a little bit of warm water on the dirty pan and gently massage it with a stainless steel scrubber, then dry it immediately afterwards.

Season With Oil

No matter where you're cooking, one thing that is very much a constant when it comes to cast iron care is this: The best way to keep your skillet shimmery and looking brand new is by wiping the clean, dry skillet with oil and gently warming the pan after it's been seasoned. This will keep the enamel strong and the exterior looking fresh and smooth. You can use whatever neutral flavored oil or even olive oil if that's what you brought along to cook with.

Embrace the Imperfection

The beauty of camping is doing your best to deal with the elements. If you're not able to clean your pan as thoroughly as you might be able to when you're in the comfort of your home kitchen, that's okay. Give it your best scrub, maybe a little abrasive salt paste, and a good wipe, and call it a night. There's no reason to be stressing over the state of your cast iron when you're out in nature. Make yourself a s'more and keep it moving.

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