The Gainwell set comes with a chainmail scrubber and a durable bamboo brush that work together to remove food debris and unwanted grease from skillets with ease. It’s no wonder over 3,200 shoppers have given the Gainwell cast iron cleaner set a perfect five-star rating. To buy: $10; amazon.com. In the first step to getting your clean pan back, use the stainless steel chain scrubber to gently scrape away food remnants in cast iron. The 4-inch circular scrubber complements the curves of your skillet to “thoroughly clean” it with one hand, according to shoppers, and its strong metal links are practically impossible to break. When you’re done with preliminary cleaning, opt for the bamboo brush that has an ergonomic handle (which helps keep your hands away from hot water) and durable, stiff bristles to clean your cooking surface without messing with your hard-earned seasoning. One shopper says it “adds a little more ‘umph’ to cleaning,” while others simply call it a “game changer.” (And just so you know, it’s OK to use a little mild dishwashing soap every so often for a proper clean—just make sure you keep up with the seasoning!) “I bought these items before and liked them so much, I bought them again as a gift for a friend,” writes another. “I use the brush and chainmail on my cast iron pans, which I cherish. They work like magic to clean without ruining the seasoning I have painstakingly created.”
