Reddit mentions: The best dish scouring pads
We found 50 Reddit comments discussing the best dish scouring pads. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 26 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Blisstime Cast Iron Cleaner 15x15 Centimeter Premium Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber
- Makes Cookware Cleanup Quick and Easy.
- Will Not Scratch Your Pans. Keeps Your Cast Iron Seasoned.
- Each Ring Smooth Welded for Strength and Comfort. Manufactured with Restaurant Quality 304 Grade Stainless Steel
- Handcrafted rings made from the highest grade stainless steel- the highest food grade steel in the industry
- For Cast Iron, Woks, Casseroles, Stainless Steel Cookware, and more...
Features:
Specs:
Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
2. Blisstime Cast Iron Cleaner Premium Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber, Square
- Makes cookware cleanup quicker and easier, the upgraded version cast iron cleaner with double ring design which is more durable and cleaning efficiency can be increased by 50% than the regular cast iron cleaner, absolutely better than any other cleaning tools, such as cast iron brush, cast iron scrub brush or pan scraper.
- The stainless steel chainmail scrubber will not scratch your pans. Keeps your cast iron seasoned.
- Handcrafted rings made from the highest grade stainless steel - the highest food grade steel in the industry. Lightweight, and convenient for home, camping or travel.
- Easy to hang on a hook near your sink for next use with ease, do not take up much space.
- Ideal for cast iron skillet, enameled cast iron dutch oven, casseroles, stainless steel cookware, and more...
Features:
Specs:
Height | 5.3 Inches |
Length | 8.4 Inches |
Size | 6IN X 6IN |
Weight | 0.24 Pounds |
Width | 6.3 Inches |
3. Utopia Kitchen Stainless-Steel Chainmail Scrubber for Cast-Iron Cleaner, Skillet, Pan, Griddle and Wok
Full HD video quality- records bright images in 1080P at 30 frames per second using a 170° wide-angle lens with an F/2. 0 aperture, to deliver full HD images across three lanesSuper clear night vision- 3 inch clear screen helps revealing details and LCD can automatically switch off after setting to...
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 8 Inches |
Number of items | 2 |
Size | 170 |
Weight | 0.15 Kilograms |
Width | 6 Inches |
4. Cusfull Premium Kitchen Cast Iron Cleaner Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber 7 x 7 Inch
- Stainless steel chainmail scrubber is ideal for all your cookware cleanup. (saucepan is not included)
- Effortlessly cleans all your cast iron products without stripping away accumulated flavor and seasoning or scratching your pans.
- High quality of rust proof, lightweight and convenient for home, camping and travel. Ultra hygienic and safe dishwasher.
- Handcrafted rings made from the highest grade 316 L stainless steel, highest food grade steel in the industry.
- Designed as a replacement for traditional pan scraper, cast iron brush or cast iron scrub brush. Works on any pan, skillet, griddle, dutch oven, pot, cookware.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Size | 7 X 7 inches |
Weight | 0.35 Pounds |
5. 1 Dozen – Round Nylon Dish Scrubber/Scourer Dishwasher Safe!!
- Realistic tip, balls and firm shaft
- Harness compatible suction cup base
- Waterproof
- Made in the USA
Features:
Specs:
6. Scotch Brite Soap Dispensing Dishwand with Heavy Duty Head
- Scotch Brite # 1 Scrub Sponges in Ameica.
- Makes tough clean-up easier, while keeping hands out of the mess
Features:
Specs:
Color | Assorted |
Height | 3.5 Inches |
Length | 9.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 1999 |
Weight | 0.242 Pounds |
Width | 2.5 Inches |
7. Hushtong Cast Iron Cleaner Chainmail Scrubber with Pan Scrapers Large cast Iron Scraper for Skillets Grill Pans
- High cleanliness:The upgraded version cast iron cleaner with double ring design which is more durable and cleaning efficiency can be increased by 50% than the regular cast iron cleaner,Makes cookware cleanup quicker and easier
- High Quality :The iron cast cleaner is designed with premium grade 316L rustproof stainless steel,It is durable and smooth enough for cleaning your pan without damaging the seasoning ,It has a long service life,Lightweight and convenient for cooking in home, camping or travel
- EASY TO USE&CLEAN: High quality stainless steel iron cast cleaner for detergent-free grit removal,Then use the pan scrapers to scrape off the left residue if Necessary to do further protecting. Then rinse everything with warm water.It is easy to hang on a hook near your sink for its next use with ease
- Multi-functional USE:This multiple purpose skillet scrubber can be used for cast iron pans, skillet, Dutch ovens, griddle, pot, waffle maker, wok, stainless steel cookware, glassware, baking sheets, tea pot, pizza stone, plates, cookie sheets, cauldrons, tortilla press, hibachi, casserole dishes, utensils. After finishing cleaning the cookware, just throw the chainmail scrubber in the dishwasher
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEED - Easy to use, clean and store for cast iron skillet.100% Satisfaction Guaranteed!Just enjoy your cooking time with the handy household cleaning tools set for your pans.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 0.02 Inches |
Length | 6.67 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |
Width | 6.67 Inches |
8. Brillo Steel Wool Soap Pads, 18 Count
More Soap, Longer Lasting^Original Grease Fighting Soap^Bonded Edges Maintains Shape of Pad^Anti-Rust Formula - helps resist rust
Specs:
Height | 5 Inches |
Length | 16 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 18 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.000625 Pounds |
Width | 10 Inches |
9. GreaterGoods Cast Iron Chainmail Scrubber, Easy on Your Hands, Dishwasher Safe, Cleaner Scraper & Scrubber for your Cast Iron Skillet, Wok, or Pan
TOUGH ON CRUST: Chainmail scrubs away grime but the round edges leave your seasoning intact.DISHWASHER SAFE: Rinsable, dishwasher safe, never leaves your hands smelling like an old sponge.EASY GRIP: The silicone disc fits every palm perfectly for a strong yet gentle scrubbing.BACKED BY REAL SUPPORT:...
Specs:
Color | Green |
Height | 0.75 Inches |
Length | 6 Inches |
Weight | 5 ounces |
Width | 4 Inches |
10. Hulless 12 per Pack Scrub Sponge Scouring Pads Household Cleaning Utensil Scrubber Pot Brush Scrubber Kitchen Utensil Cleaning Tools.
- Size: 5.1 X 3.5 X 0.59 inch Can be folded, stacked, or rolled for effective cleaning on flat, irregular, or contoured surfaces.
- 12 Pcs Quantity: The scouring pads will stay clean and fresh every time you use it. No more stinky odor, grease and burned on messes.
- These super strong and durable scour pads will help you to keep your dishes and household appliances sparkling clean after every use. Simply, these little fellows do all the hard work for you!
- Scouring Pads are made from premium quality resilient synthetic fibers, they never get rust, unravel, fall apart or tear off as cheap and poorly made sponges and scouring pads in the market.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Green |
Height | 1.5 Inches |
Length | 12.2 Inches |
Number of items | 12 |
Size | 12 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.35 Pounds |
Width | 6.5 Inches |
11. LauKingdom Cast Iron Cleaner, 7"x7" Stainless Steel Cast Iron Cleaner 316L Chainmail Scrubber for Cast Iron Pan, Round
DURABLE & HYGIENIC - Made of restaurant quality 316 grade stainless steel, which is food-safe and ultra-hygienic, unlike conventional germ-infested scrubbers. Chainmail scrubber combines machine soldered and handcrafted and lasts for at least 1 year.WILL NOT SCRATCH YOUR PANS - Each ring is handmade...
Specs:
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 7 Inches |
Size | 7 inch Round |
Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
Width | 7 Inches |
12. Amagabeli Stainless Steel Cast Iron Cleaner 8”x6” 316L Chainmail Scrubber Pan Scraper Cookware Accessories Pan Dutch Ovens Polycarbonate Skillet Scraper Pot Grill Brush Seasoning Cleaning Tools Set
- Professional Cleaner & Scraper Design for Durability: Items include 1 XL 8”x6” cast iron cleaner and 2 polycarbonate pan scrapers. The iron cast cleaner is designed with premium grade 316L rustproof stainless steel, it is durable and smooth enough for cleaning your pan without damaging the seasoning, and heat resistant to 275°F
- Tough on Grit & Gentle on Pan: The professional design of high quality smooth chainmail makes the cast iron cleaner wash off the grit with detergent-free and you don’t need to worry about scratching your pan or destroying the seasoning of pans. It will definitely be a skillet scrubber hero for your cookware! And the different shaped corners with smooth edge design is perfect for any shaped pans
- Easy to Use & Seasoning Protector: Premium grade stainless steel iron cast cleaner for detergent-free grit removal, then use the pan scrapers to scrape off the left residue if necessary to do further protecting. No soap or harsh detergent needed protecting your pans’ seasoning from being stripped off. Just enjoy your cooking time with the handy household cleaning tools set for your pans
- Multiple Uses & Dishwasher Safe: This multiple purpose skillet scrubber can be used for cast iron pans, skillet, dutch ovens, griddle, pot, waffle maker, wok, stainless steel cookware, glassware, baking sheets, tea pot, pizza stone, plates, cookie sheets, cauldrons, tortilla press, hibachi, casserole dishes, utensils, after finishing cleaning the cookware, just throw the chainmail scrubber in the dishwasher
- Premium Products & Impeccable Customer Care: We are dedicated to provide premium products for you and offer impeccable customer care to you. Don’t wait any longer and just enjoy your ideal products today!
Features:
Specs:
Color | Chainmail Scrubber & Pan Scraper |
Height | 0.05 Inches |
Length | 8 Inches |
Size | Upgraded Series with Pan Scraper |
Weight | 6.4 Pounds |
Width | 6 Inches |
13. Silicone Sponge Dish Washing Brush Scrubber Food-Grade Antibacterial BPA Free Multipurpose Non Stick Cleaning Antimicrobial Mildew free smart kitchen gadgets (Pack of 7, Mixed Color) by JJ Company
PACKS OF 7 SILICONE SPONGE - purple, red, green, light blue, pink, yellow and orangeHIGH QUALITY FDA APPROVED - Silicone sponge with thick and soft bristle. No need to worry about leaving scratches to tableware anymore. It is easy to reach the corner of the cups and glasses. It’s simply the best s...
15. EcoComely Cast Iron Cleaner Stainless Steel 8x6 Large Chainmail Scrubber for Lodge Cast Iron Skillet, Dutch Oven, Griddle, Grill Pan, Cookware & Pot. Tired of Dirty Sponges? Try Cast Iron Scraper!
✌ TIRED OF DIRTY SPONGES: Did you know that kitchen sponges are 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat with 10,000,000 bacteria per square inch? Eco.Comely’s chain mail scrubber is ideal for hassle free sanitization while keeping you and your family safe from germs. It is also dishwasher safe....
Specs:
Color | Chainmail Scrubber - Silver |
Height | 0.3 Inches |
Length | 8 Inches |
Size | 6 x 0.3 x 8 inches |
Weight | 8 ounces |
Width | 6 Inches |
16. uxcell Kitchen Bathroom Dishes Pots Pans Bowls Utensils Scour Scouring Scrub Cleaning Pads 5 Pcs
17. Libman Dish Scrub and Soap Dispenser
- Dish scrubber with built-in soap dispenser
- 7" long, "see-thru" contoured grip refillable handle
- Polyester sponge with synthetic abrasive pad and a built-in scraper
- 3-1/4" x 1-3/4" scrubbing surface
- Ergonomic angled handle with thumb holder
Features:
Specs:
Height | 2.75 Inches |
Length | 12.75 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | October 2010 |
Size | Pack of 1 Set |
Weight | 0.013 Pounds |
Width | 11.63 Inches |
18. RSVP Endurance Stainless Steel Pot Scrubbers, Set of 2
- PERFECT SIZE: Each Scrubby measures 2-1/2-inches by 1-1/2-inches by 2-1/2-inches
- A KITCHEN NECESSITY: Thoroughly cleans stainless pans, pots, and cookware
- FUNCTIONAL DESIGN: Needs only water and a non-abrasive cleaner; Never use on a dry surface
- QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Long lasting, non-rusting stainless steel
- CARE INSTRUCTIONS: Hand Wash
Features:
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 2.5 Inches |
Length | 2.5 Inches |
Number of items | 2 |
Release date | August 2021 |
Size | Stainless Steel Scubber |
Width | 1.5 Inches |
19. LauKingdom Cast Iron Cleaner, 7"x7" Stainless Steel Cast Iron Cleaner 316L Chainmail Scrubber for Cast Iron Pan, Round
DURABLE & HYGIENIC - Cast iron cleaner is made of restaurant quality 316 grade stainless steel, which is food-safe and ultra-hygienic, unlike conventional germ-infested scrubbers. Chainmail scrubber combines machine soldered and handcrafted and lasts for at least 1 year.WILL NOT SCRATCH YOUR PANS - ...
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 8 Inches |
Size | 7"*7" |
Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
Width | 8 Inches |
20. Cast Iron Cleaner 6" x 6.3" Premium 316L Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber for Skillet, Wok, Pot, Pan; Pre-Seasoned Pan Dutch Ovens Waffle Iron Pans Scraper Cast
- ✨HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS: Food grades iron cast cleaner Chainmail scrubber is 316made of stainless steel, durable,not rust. Each ring on the cast iron scrubber is very durable and has a smooth surface, which can easily to remove dirt from the cookware.
- ✨EASY TO USE: Multipurpose chains mail cleaner , with a circular mesh design. Chainmail links size enables effective cleaning whilst reducing bits caught in mesh. Square stainless scrubber is easy to operate and has strong cleaning ability. There is also a perforated hanging ring for easy hanging. Skillet cleaner is a good helper in the kitchen
- ✨STURDY DURABLE:316Anti-rust cast iron skillet cleaner, very strong and durable, will not lose luster,with smooth edging for strength and comfort to protect the seasoning of your pans and can last for a long time use.
- ✨WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS: Cookware accessories a cast iron cleaner for pans, suitable for all kinds of cast iron pan kitchen cookware, cast iron skillet, griddle, dutch oven, pot,waffle maker, wok, stainless steel cookware, glassware, Pyrex, casseroles,baking pan, tea pot, cookie sheet, cauldron, tortilla press, hibachi, cornbread, pie pan. Chainmail pot scrubber perfect household cleaning tool, it is also ideal for outdoor cooking.
- ✨GURANTEE FOR YOU:We are dedicated to provide premium productsof you,If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase or the product is damaged in transit, broken, please contact us promptly, will solve your problems promptly.Don't wait longer, enjoy your ideal product immediately!
Features:
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 0.3 Inches |
Length | 6.3 Inches |
Size | Square |
Weight | 0.286875 Pounds |
Width | 6 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on dish scouring pads
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where dish scouring pads are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
I'm not sure there are any perfect solutions - If there are I haven't found them yet.
But for dishes:
Laundry is a lot harder and I still struggle with it tbh. But these are my tips:
Basically my strategies are just make it more enjoyable, make it easier, and make it a habit. It's still not easy though.
You've got some great ideas here already but here's a few more.
Some chainmail to clean his cast iron pans:
Amazon link Chainmail Scrubber $10
An apron:
this is a nice BBQ one for $20
Hope you find something cool, I'm sure he'll like whatever you get him.
Like /u/itgotthehoseagain said, kosher salt and hot water is great.
Or one of the chainmail scrubbers meant for cast iron that you can get on Amazon like this:
http://amazon.com/Blisstime-Cleaner-Stainless-Chainmail-Scrubber/dp/B00N7DCCEO
It's what I use and I love it.
But don't worry about removing your seasoning. If it's on there good, you really won't remove it. And if it's not on there very good and coming off from hard scrubbing, then it wasn't applied very well anyway and needs more time.
Get some Clorox Foaming Bleach (you can get it at Walmart or similar) and some magic erasers.
The floor looks lightly textured so you would need to be careful but you can also try some of these.
This looks like serratia_marcescens which is common bathrooms and other wet environments. It is pretty resilient and you will need to keep cleaning the area pretty regularly to kill it off. The best think would probably be to get a steam cleaner if you really need to get this off. This unit is really good.
Although small amount of carbon in the pan are pretty normal, thick layers on burnt-on food will prevent additional layers of seasoning from forming, so this will affect how non-stick your pan will be in the long run. Try putting some kosher or coarse-grain salt in the pan with a small amount of oil and scrub well with a rag or scouring pad and see if you can remove most of it. If it's really, really bad you can try scraping with a metal spatula but I wouldn't normally recommend that because you could scrape off some of the seasoning if you are not careful. Boiling some water in the pan and scraping with a wooden spoon can help too. So can a chainmail scrubber like of these: https://www.amazon.com/Cast-iron-Stainless-Steel-Chainmail-Utopia-Kitchen/dp/B010VRTV2O/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1472952952&sr=1-2&keywords=chainmail+scrubber
Make sure to dry thoroughly after washing and occasionally wipe a thin layer of oil around the pan. If you are getting a lot of burnt-on food when cooking I recommend cooking at a lower temperature (you should hardly ever need to go above the "medium" or half-way setting on your stovetop - cast iron retains heat better than other types of cookware.) and using slightly more oil when cooking until your seasoning is more built up.
I recommend taking a read of the subreddit's FAQ: https://www.reddit.com/r/castiron/comments/1ttytx/a_collection_of_cast_iron_information_from_reddit
We clean ours one of two ways:
Do not under any circumstances use soap.
Edit: adding link to a scrubber: GreaterGoods Cast Iron Chainmail Scrubber, Easy on Your Hands, Dishwasher Safe, Cleaner Scraper & Scrubber for your Cast Iron Skillet, Wok, or Pan https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PN5R4H5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YrRLDb8P4NX1G
Once you have it out of the vinegar (a little left-over rust is OK here, as long as it's not flaky - at six days now, it's probably already good), scrub it down with steel wool and dishwashing liquid, rinse until clean, and dry. Apply veg oil (something with a high smoke point, like peanut), and bake at 500 F. Let cool, lightly scour the resultant surface with a greenie and water, then dry, oil, and bake again.
That should get you an ideal cooking surface.
The chainmail will work, but its a bit overkill for most things if your pan is in good shape. If you too crazy with it, you might rip a little seasoning off.
In addition to the old salt/oil method, plastic scrubbers ( like these ), Scotch Brite Non Scratch, the blue kind, not the green ones, and/or a stiff nylon brush under hot water all work great. Lodge also makes Scrapers that are very useful.
Same. I love mine, it makes cleaning the pan super easy. Here is the one I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F76P97C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
make sure you're re-greasing after drying. also, over a weekend, just let it sit on low/mid-slow on a burner for a few hours while wiping it down with oil a few times. it all helps. I'd got my shitty Emeril skillet like glass after a few months of doing this and using it primarily for meats initially. Today, with a tab of butter, I could make sunny-side-up eggs perfectly.
Also, not sure how you're going about scrubbing, but you might consider a chainmail scrubber instead of a brush or sponge. That'll help get the grit off of it without scrubbing away the good stuff. http://www.amazon.com/Blisstime-Cleaner-Stainless-Chainmail-Scrubber/dp/B00N7DCCEO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450286841&sr=8-3&keywords=chainmail+scrubber
Boiling water should do the trick. Another good thing to have on hand is a bit of chain mail that can be used to clean similar cooked on gunk in the future. Something like:
This.
I bought one of these about 2 1/2 years ago. Still in perfect shape and does an amazing job. Also, cleaning the chainmail is so much easier than trying to get bits of food out of a scrubbing pad, sponge or brush.
Plus, it looks cool hanging in the kitchen
Interesting. I've been cleaning stainless steel pots and pans for a few decades and never heard that before. Makes sense, it is an acid. Some web sites claim it will leave the surface pitted, and some claim soaking them in anything will do the same. I've never had a problem with an overnight soak.
In most kitchens I've worked in, if you can't get it off after scrubbing and soaking and scrubbing some more, just leave it. It's just carbon, and will not hurt the food you cook in it. You can put the pan on the stove and burn it some more, just to make sure anything not-carbon turns into carbon. (I know that's not very helpful.)
Good luck with it. Green Scotch Brite pads and stainless steel scrubbies like these have always been my go-to for burnt-on stains. (Scotch Brite pads come in different colors for different purposes, like different grits/coarsenesses of sandpaper. Green is common in the kitchen for scouring metal. Blue is safe for non-stick pans. When you get into maroon and greys, I think they are used to sand paint off cars and stuff. I don't know the details. Just know green is good for scouring steel pans, but will leave the surface scratched. Blue should not scratch metal and is supposed to be safe for Teflon coated pans, though I don't trust anything abrasive on those.)
I cook exclusively on cast iron or stainless steel. I won't use teflon or aluminum. The cast iron has worked great for me. If something burns onto the bottom of the pan, I just scrape it off with a metal spatula and give the pan a scrub with chainmail (similar to this) which IMO is a must-have for cast iron users!
Last night, I lazy-baked whole wheat bread on the stovetop in my cast iron chicken fryer with a lid on top. (You just smash the dough out flat instead of loaf shaped and pop it in there when the iron is hot, no oil or grease required) One of the loaves burned a little bit because I got distracted, I just scraped up the burned bits with my spatula and kept on baking. My husband likes the burned loaves, anyway.
I season the cast iron with a very tiny amount of coconut oil or bacon grease in a 400 degree oven and it keeps the surface nicely shiny and nonstick. I don't worry about the seasoning "contaminating" my food because all the oil burns off anyway.
I've never cleaned a hot pan before. I wait hours to clean. I just use warm sink water and piece of chainmail. Scrub until smooth, heat up on stove and season with whatever oil I have on hand.
Here's the chainmail I have
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GPGZVJ1/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_apa_i_SU-jDbDBEKTRP
stainless steel gets rid of garlic smell. on amazon you can get a chainmail scrubber that is fucking awesome for scrubbing stuff. it would get rid of the smell.
in general though, fuck any kind of brillo, or any other scrubber at the grocery store. this thing is superior. and it doesnt seem to damage anything when you use it. get one.
LINK
Good to know. Good thing I didn’t buy a big bottle of flaxseed.
What are your thoughts on those chain mail scrub things?
https://www.amazon.com/Cusfull-Premium-Stainless-Chainmail-Scrubber/dp/B01H1AQGVI/ref=asc_df_B01H1AQGVI/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167152462925&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16784287026253467428&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061254&hvtargid=pla-305941095488&psc=1
Yeah, they work great actually. It takes a bit of getting used to cleaning them. They’re thicker than standard ziplocks, but work well. For cleaning I fill them with soapy water & give the inside a quick scrub with one of these & prop them upside down over a glass to dry.
https://smile.amazon.com/Food-Grade-Antibacterial-Multipurpose-Antimicrobial-Company/dp/B076W4H86Y
Once it's seasoned, don't use soap to clean it. Ever. Just use one of these. It will stay nice and seasoned, especially if you cook with animal/saturated fats.
Grab one of these. Awesome for cleaning cast iron.
http://www.amazon.com/Blisstime-Cleaner-Stainless-Chainmail-Scrubber/dp/B00N7DCCEO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1453078084&sr=8-5&keywords=stainless+scrubber
This thing is a blessing .
Cast Iron Cleaner XL 7x7 Inch Premium Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N7DCCEO/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awd_QZDKwb9DHTSKJ
I would get a chain mail cast iron scrubber. Heat up the pan a bit and soak it in hot water before scrubbing gently. You could heat it up again to dry it and see if enough came off, if not, repeat? Seems like you could remove a bunch without ruining all the seasoning and kind of encase it? https://www.amazon.com/Cusfull-Premium-Stainless-Chainmail-Scrubber/dp/B01H1AQGVI
Saw this earlier if you want a fancy gadget to clean with
We use this
At home too. Just scrub it out with some water. Easy peasy.
I have used something like this.
That said, my tank is small. I use this whenever I am going to be moving plants or cleaning just to catch any junk that gets stirred up.
I have this stuff, and it can be a pain. What I do is grab a fill-able dish scrubber thing...fill it with 1/2 dish soap and 1/2 white vinegar and keep it in the shower. Anything you see that needs cleaning while you're showering you just wipe away real quick. Smells a little of vinegar and its safe to use while you shower, so your shower stays clean and you don't have a bunch of chemicals burning your lungs.
I typically put one back to back for a couple weeks if I know one is going on the wayside. However, once I started learning about filter media I started just stuffing my Hang-On-Back filters with filter floss and ceramic rings. Right now my HOB has a small bag of purigen, a little clump of poly fill, and a pot scrubbie.
I experiment with different media regularly, but you always want to seed your new media by placing it in the tank(near the water flow) or, preferably, in the filter itself.
I'm always super careful to only hold scotch bright in tension so that if it catches it'll just slip out of my grasp. Anything in compression gets a tool to separate it from my fleshy bits; like pliers or tongs.
or...maybe?
I'd rather spend .01% of my life being an anal annoyance than have it cut short or spend the remainder without my precious fleshy bits. I'm too ugly to lose my polishing hand.
Cleaning cast iron
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CYQGRCZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_mnUpDbXW0NJ22
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H1AQGVI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_SVGiDbKSWMPVN
If you have cast iron, these chain-mail scrubbers are dual purpose.
These are fantastic.
Cook bacon, scrub thoroughly with chainmail pad, wipe with paper towel, repeat.
Blisstime Cast Iron Cleaner Premium Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber, Square https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F76P97C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T.ITDb4WHGDJD
Edit: no water, and definitely no soap
I second the chainmail srcubber - I use this one (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N7DCCEO) when I need something more than the brush (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G0T3CE6/)
/u/FredWampy should get this because it is cool
/u/Sieberella should get this because I like it and it is a lot of money.
100% polyester stuffing (used for quilts) will work. You can find that in the fabric section of walmart.
You can also use (new) dollar store nylon pot scrubbers as a bio media...
http://www.amazon.com/Dozen-Round-Scrubber-Scourer-Dishwasher/dp/B00I29PYIY
> stainless steel wool
More specifically- a "stainless steel scrubby"
This is the thing I have https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QGC4X4Y/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_d4tCDb6NXBPD2
You can join us over in /r/castiron
But in general: Contrary to what some think, cast iron cookware isn't allergic to being washed. Give it a good washing with plenty of whatever dish soap is handy. Just don't soak it for days at a time (short hours is fine). (It also isn't allergic to temperature -- screaming-hot cast iron is how medium-rare steaks get a lovely crust. Whoever says otherwise needs more cooking lessons -- I'm looking at you, /u/krazykitties.)
What usually happens with my cast iron stuff when I do things like cook hamburgers with Worcestershire sauce is that the sugars from the sauce form a hard, black glaze on the pan. It's a bitch to get rid of, but the burgers are worth it, so I keep doing it.
I use a blue scrubbie sponge ("non-scratch", here in the States), and that gets most of it off usually. For extreme cases, I use a green scrubby sponge (guaranteed to resurface your copper pans and strip your Teflon!). And sometimes, because I'm lazy or I've thrown the sponges away recently (they do get gross), I use a stainless steel wool pad like this...although for some messes the stainless thing is my first go-to.
Don't be gentle. Make it happen. You can't hurt the pan in any lasting way.
But first, this: Put some water in the pan and put it on the stove on high and leave it at a fiercely-rolling boil for a few minutes. The tiny little explosions that happen as the water turns to steam at the surface of the pan (and within the cooked-on grunge) do wonders for loosening up stuck-on caramelized goo.
If you fuck it all up, no worries: Put some Canola oil or Crisco in the pan, wipe it all out (yes, all of it -- or at least all you can wipe up) (use coffee filters for very cheap, throw-away, lint-free wipes), and throw it in the oven at 450 for half an hour. The oil you applied will polymerize and make a new non-stick coating. Repeat as needed.
And then cook some bacon. And some eggs. And eventually, the bacon grease and the egg proteins will form a new, hard, non-stick layer that even caramelized sugar can't stick to for very long.
Before long, you'll be cooking like your Grandma did.
There's no reason to actively strip a pan that isn't new to you. (Unless you use flaxseed oil. Don't. It's a trap promoted by a singular blogger that has been parroted since by folks who are ever-since stymied that the seasoning flakes off of their pans. Don't get exotic; your Grandma certainly didn't. She just used, and cleaned, the thing.)