The $12 OXO Find That’ll Keep Your Cast Iron Pan Looking Brand New

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If you’re not familiar with cast iron, it’s one of the most versatile cookware materials around — it’s also both a) what your grandparents might have cooked with, and b) what your steak might’ve been seared on at that fancy restaurant you like. And, like with everything on the internet these days, there are plenty of contrasting options on when to cook with cast iron, what to cook with cast iron, and (the biggest subject of debate) how to clean cast iron cookware. I’m a huge fan of my cast-iron skillet, and since mine is pretty well-seasoned — more on that here — I tend to just give it a good rinse, a once-over with a coarse brush, a heat-drying session on the stovetop, and a quick oil-down before putting it away for later use. The only problem I have is that my coarse brushes fall apart after repeated use. Thankfully, there’s an easy and affordable solution out there for us cast-iron diehards: the OXO Good Grips Cast Iron Brush​.

In case you didn’t know, not all cast-iron brushes are the same. This one — from editor-favorite kitchen brand OXO — features a smart bristle pattern that makes cleaning both flat and ridged cookware (think: griddle or grill pan) a breeze. The angled bristle design lets you attack hard-to-reach grooves, and the rigid scraper tip can help you chip away any burnt- or baked-on bits of food. The ergonomic handle is also non-slip, even when wet, which is one less thing to worry about — essential when you’re already stressing over whether or not to use soap on your precious skillet. (Psst: It’s totally cool to hit it with some Dawn.) 

With a nearly perfect 4.8-star average rating on Amazon, it’s clear we’re not the only ones who are fawning over our latest product-crush from OXO. “I have been cooking with cast iron for years … This particular brush is a good one. I have worked with OXO cast iron brushes before so I knew what to expect,” one reviewer writes. “This brush works well on flat-bottom skillets as well as on grill pans. Grill pans can be especially troublesome to clean and this brush gets in the grooves easily enough to make getting my grill pan clean easier.”

So, if you’re looking for the last cast-iron cleaning tool you’ll ever need to buy — or you’re just sick of wading through all of the unqualified cookware opinions on the internet — do yourself a favor and snag this OXO Good Grips Cast Iron Brush​ ASAP. It’s affordable and high-quality, and will keep your skillets, grill pans, and griddles spotless for years to come. 

Buy: OXO Good Grips Cast Iron Brush​, $11.99