A good cast iron pan can last decades, but only if you learn to take care of it properly. The good news: you don’t need a huge collection of tools. A simple cast iron care kit will handle almost every cleaning, seasoning, and rescue situation.

Here’s everything you actually need, and what you can skip.

The Core Kit

Every cast iron care kit should contain the basics, including:

• Chainmail Scrubber – If your pan ever feels sticky, flaky, or rusty, a chainmail scrubber is the fastest fix. It removes buildup without destroying seasoning. Best pick: Lodge Scrubbing Pad
  Budget pick: Knapp Chainmail Scrubber
• Pan Scraper – A plastic or metal pan scraper removes stuck-on food in seconds and reduces how often you need to deep clean. Best pick: Lodge Pan Scrapers (2 Pack)
• High Smoke Point Oil – The best oils for seasoning have high smoke points and polymerize well. Skip olive oil as it can get sticky. Grapeseed Oil and Avocado Oil are both great picks.
• Kosher Salt – Coarse kosher salt works as a gentle abrasive for quick cleaning. Buy it in bulk here.
• Paper Towels or Cloths – You’ll use these constantly for oiling and wiping. You want something lint-free for a clean finish. These Shop Towels are my go-to.

Nice-to-Have Additions

If you’re well on your way to becoming a cast-iron enthusiast, you can add these non-essential (but nice to have) items to your kit:

• Lodge Silicone Hot Handle Holder – this will protect you from a hot pan handle
• Lodge Care Scrub Brush – great for scrubbing off stuck-on food
• OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Turner – a metal spatula handles high heat better than plastic
• Lodge 5-Tier, Kitchen and Pantry Cast Iron Cookware Storage Organizer – as your cast-iron collection grows, you’ll need sturdy and safe a place to store everything!

What You Don’t Need

You’ll see lots of specialty cast-iron products, often with a high price tag. But here’s the truth. You don’t need expensive seasoning kits, specialty sprays, cleaners that are marketed as safe for cast iron. These products didn’t exist 100 years ago and our grandparents cared for their cast-iron just fine.

Quick Kit Checklist

Core kit:

• Chainmail scrubber
• Pan scraper
• Oil
• Salt
• Towels

Optional:

• Brush
• Handle cover
• Spatula

If you just want one simple setup, this is the kit I’d start with:

• Knapp Chainmail Scrubber
• Lodge Pan Scrapers (2 Pack)
• Avocado Oil for seasoning
• Kosher Salt for scrubbing
• Shop Towels for drying your pan and removing excess oil