Hellobee Boards

Water and no soap. I also oil it.

It's supposed to stay oily. Just hot water on it, and dry it well after.

@mrbee: what did you use to scrub it? Just a sponge? Something scrubbier? I'll ask DH what he uses to scrub them.

Water plus a brush with plastic bristles. Then I wipe dry with a paper towel.

You can also burn the stuff off in the oven.

you need to season it before you use it, by coating the entire thing (inside and out) with a neutral oil, and baking it in a low oven for 3 hours. then, food won't stick, and all you'll need to do to clean it i rinse it, or scrub with salt for anything stuck on.

No soap and noooo abrasive scrubbers!!!

Just a wash in water and wipe out with a sponge, then put on low heat to let the water dry off the pan and wipe a bit of oil on it. The stuff you cook in cast iron builds up a great "base" - you don't want to get rid of that base, it seasons the pan, makes it more nonstick the more you use it, etc.

I think if you have to use elbow grease, your cleaning it too hard. Cast iron is very easy to clean, shouldn't take a ton off elbow grease.

Put water in it and chuck a few tea bags in. Weird but useful tip I learnt whilst camping. Stir them around a bit as if you were cooking them.

EDIT: just realised I didn't mention you boil the water with the tea bags in.

Don't let it sit in water. Scrub if you must to get caked on bits removed. Add some cooking oil and "season" it in the oven. Bake it for a hour or so and put it away.

I use hot water and a paper towel.