Avoiding moisture is key.
After oiling it, baking it and stinking up your kitchen to season it, finding your cast-iron skillet and other cookware covered in rust is extremely disappointing. However, experts say that preventing this inconvenience is fairly simple.
Lancaster Cast Iron Co-Founder Mark Longenecker has been making cast-iron cookware for years and says the most common mistake his company sees is “people storing cast-iron while it is still damp or not fully dried.” According to Longenecker, “A well-seasoned, dry pan can be stored almost anywhere in the kitchen that doesn’t have a lot of moisture,” adding that “a wet or damp skillet will become a rusty skillet.” He went on to share his top tips for storing cast-iron to protect precious seasoning layers and prevent pesky rust buildup. Plus, we got help from Kris Stubblefield, resident chef at Lodge Cast Ironto recommend the gear you need to keep moisture at bay.
Best Cast-Iron Cookware Organizers
- For Nesting: Bykitchen Pan and Pot Protectors, Set of 6$10 (was $12)
- For Stacking: Lodge 5-Tier Cast-Iron Cookware Storage Organizer$35
- For Hanging: Kes Wall-Mounted Kitchen Pot and Pan Organizer Rack$50
Zeppoli 15-Pack Cotton Kitchen Towels
$22 at Amazon
“If there is one tip we give customers just starting their first journey with cast-iron cookware, it’s to thoroughly towel-dry their skillet after cleaning,” says Longenecker. These super-absorbent cotton kitchen towels are a must-have kitchen tool and effectively dry cast-iron to the last drop.
Kes Wall-Mounted Kitchen Pot and Pan Organizer Rack
$50 at Amazon
“If you have a place to hang your skillet, that’s ideal,” says Longenecker. Stubblefield also mentioned, “The key is to make sure you allow airflow to avoid any potential rusting.” If you have space on a wall in or near the kitchen, this 24-inch wall-mounted setup is just the solution. Its 88-pound capacity can support multiple cast-iron pans, in addition to other cookware, while keeping them dry and within reach.
Bykitchen Pan and Pot Protectors, Set of 6
$12 $10 at Amazon
“If you plan to stack your cast-iron with your other cookware, I always recommend placing a paper towel or pan protector between pieces to help preserve the surface,” says Stubblefield. Felt pads are always a solid choice for placing between nested cookware, since they’re thick, soft and moisture-wicking. They’re also great for preventing scratches on nonstick cookware.
Lodge 5-Tier Cast-Iron Cookware Storage Organizer
$35 at Amazon
To stack your cast-iron skillets and Dutch oven in the cabinet or on the countertop — while giving them the airflow they need — we recommend grabbing this 5-tier organizer. Specifically designed to hold heavy cast-iron pieces, the device’s trustworthy durability is “worth every penny,” according to shoppers.
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