Your first instinct is to scrub until your arms hurt. Resist it. Soap and rough abrasives are the quickest way to strip your pan’s soul (aka the seasoning).
We’re playing the long game here. Think of it as a spa day for your skillet. A very intense, crusty spa day.
Grab some kosher salt. Not table salt, that’s too fine. We need the big, chunky, aggressive stuff. Pour a generous amount into the cold pan.
The Salt Scrub Tango
Take a dry paper towel. Don’t use a sponge, you’ll just clog it. Now, use the salt like sandpaper. Rub it in circles over the burnt bits.
The salt acts like a gentle exfoliant. It lifts the gunk without scratching the iron. It’s basically a facial scrub for your kitchen gear. Work that elbow grease.
You’ll see the paper towel turn black. That’s progress. Dump out the dirty salt. If the pan is still crusty, repeat the dance. Add more salt. Rub again. Breathe.
