My Favorite $6 Pan Scraper for Cleaning Cast Iron

I use my cast iron skillets for almost every meal, be it fried eggs in the morning or seared tofu for dinner. Most days, my cast iron cookware cleans up in seconds with warm water and, yes, a bit of soap. For times when burnt-on food simply refuses to dislodge with a simple scouring pad, my trusted tool has always been a chainmail scrubber — until now. After trying this $6 food scraper that efficiently removes the stuck-on gunk without damaging my hard-earned seasoning, I’m never going back.

Epicurean Pan Scraper

This pan scraper from Epicurean is made of the same paper composite material found in its cutting boards and fits into the palm of my hand. Its beveled sides allow it to get under stubborn char spots, and the material is gentle on cooking surfaces. Now that my cast iron skillets have built up a nonstick patina, it’s important to clean them without damaging the seasoning. 

Whether I’m cleaning crispy cheese residue or washing off reduced, sticky sauce, the scraper tackles it all with ease. Its curved features make it comfortable to hold, and the pointy corner gets into every nook and cranny of a wide array of cookware — not just skillets. I use this handy scraper for cleaning the crevices of my stovetop waffler and muffin pan. It also conveniently fits into the crack between my stove and counter, allowing me to clear out any lodged crumbs.

You don’t have to just take my word for it. Even though it’s a newly launched tool, it already has fans, with one shopper calling it “so much better” than bristle scrubbers. Another buyer who’s been unhappy with plastic scrapers shared that this one makes cleaning their carbon steel pans “a breeze.” At just $6, this scraper is a steal for thorough cast iron cleaning that doesn’t risk damaging the pan’s precious seasoning.

Shop More Cast Iron Scrubbers at Amazon

Lodge Scrubbing Pad

Cuisinel Cast Iron Chainmail Scrubber

Azureblue Pan Scraper, Set of 3

Amagabeli Stainless Steel Chainmail Scrubber

Skura Style Very Skrubby Heavy Duty Scouring Pads, 4-Pack