Ringer chain mail cast iron pot cleaner

woodgeezer wrote:
If you need something like this you are cooking wrong. Probably too much heat.

High heat and cast iron are used frequently in certain cuisines e.g. Blackened fish for one.

Having two of these scrubbers I can testify that they don't damage the seasoning. They just remove the crusty bits that get in the way of even cooking... All without damaging the surface. The mesh makes it easier to clean the food bits out of the scrubber. Plus the mesh doesn't wear out like nylon scribbers. No, I'm not an employee of that company, just a satisfied customer. It works well for me and my pots. If you don't like the idea, no one is forcing you to buy it. Everyone does what works for them.

RayUSMC wrote:
Life's too short to debate how to scrub a pot.

AMEN!

woodgeezer wrote:
Realize it's not the pan you need to worry about, it's the seasoning over the metal.

No kidding- cast iron is as hard as...well, as cast iron! :B

But that nice layer of carbon I've built up over many years of use is most certainly too delicate to withstand scrubbing with a piece of chain. Love the way the ads divert attention from that fact by gushing about the "no damage to the pan" thing. Y'all will notice that they make no such claim about the home-built finish, which let's face it is the most important part OF the pan.

If you need something like this you are cooking wrong. Probably too much heat.

I have never used a scrubbing tool in a pan. Realize it's not the pan you need to worry about, it's the seasoning over the metal. If you have something stick, add a little water to the pan and reheat until it releases.

I use a nylon brush to rid the pan of leftovers, but usually only wipe the pan clean with a paper towel.

From the reviews it sounds so much easier than other methods. It's not supposed to scratch the finish at all.

From the videos, it just took running water and rubbing the pan with that and it cleaned up beautifully... no scratched finish or anything. Looked a lot easier than soaking, using brushes, plastic, etc.... all methods I have used. These seem to be for everyday cleaning, not stripping and reseasoning.

Supposed to be good for other things, also. Some folks use it on all their stainless. That would make me a little nervous to try.

The chain also looks like it could be a fashion accessory. Gotta love multi use items like that.

I know I'm fairly new to dutch oven cooking but one thing I've already learned is everyone does their cleaning and seasoning a little bit different and every method's got its merits and demerits. We always say if it works for you use it. If it doesn't then forget about it. Life's too short to debate how to scrub a pot.

I've never had a problem cleaning CI. If it's really bad I boil water in it and take a scrub brush to it. After dumping the water I generally give it a sweep with a plastic pad. If it's just a lot of grease I let the dog have at it first.

Why do you need soap? If it's not too bad I just use hot tap water and a stiff brush. Water is the best solvent and when you go to use the pan again you'll probably heat it into the 400 degree range.More than enough to sterilize. Lets face it, why do you need a super clean pan to put raw chicken in?

I don't want to use anything that is harder than the seasoning.

Those crocheted tulle pot scrubbers work really well for cast iron. They are gentle enough for other types of pots and pans too.

swtgran wrote:
Has anyone here, used one of these? They sound like they are just the ticket for cast iron users.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Ringer-Cleaner-Stainless-Chainmail/dp/B00FKBR1ZG

We have two: one for the rv and one for the house. Works great for those burnt buildups that you dont have rhe opportunity to burn off the cast iron; and that soaking and other scrubbers don't help. I like the fact it's easy to get food out of it so there's no sour smell.

An expanded plastic onion bag will do a great job of cleaning the cast iron without scratching it.