Fine Ring or Heavy Ring? The Best Chainmail Scrubber for Cast Iron

Anyone who cooks fajitas in a cast iron skillet knows the problem: a crust of browned bits that a sponge just slides over. Steel wool is too harsh, and soaking invites rust. A chainmail scrubber is the usual answer, a sheet or pad of stainless steel rings that knocks food loose while you run warm water over the pan.

Most of these scrubbers look alike, so the useful differences are in the ring size, the shape and how much the maker is willing to state. This guide explains those differences, then names eight scrubbers from Knapp Made, The Ringer, Lodge, Field Company and others.

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Quick verdict: which chainmail scrubber to buy

This is a simple tool, so the choice comes down to your pans and your hands. The rest of this page helps you match them.

Five chainmail scrubbers side by side

Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook, with the details each maker or listing states. All eight scrubbers are reviewed in full below.

Product images from Amazon. Sizes and materials are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best chainmail scrubber

We start with flat sheets, then move to pads with silicone in them, and we favor makers that state their steel and origin. All eight are stainless steel ring scrubbers. We left out brushes, salt scrubs and plastic scrapers, which are different tools.

How to choose a chainmail scrubber

You are not comparing performance data here, since few makers publish any. Compare the things you can check: ring size, shape, size and how the rings are joined.

1. Ring size and your pan’s surface

Field Company makes the clearest case on this point: larger rings suit rough, pebbly iron, and fine rings suit smooth, machined surfaces. A typical pre-seasoned skillet has some texture, so a general small-ring sheet handles it. Choose fine rings for polished or vintage pans. If you own both, the Knapp Made double-sided pad covers each.

2. Flat sheet or pad with a core

A flat sheet folds, bunches up and reaches corners, but it can feel loose in the hand. A silicone core gives you something firm to hold. Sheets dry faster because air reaches every ring. Pads are easier on your hand if you scrub a lot.

3. Size

Four by five inches works for skillets up to about 10 inches and for reaching down the walls of a cast iron Dutch oven. Six inches is the easiest all-round size. Eight inches suits a large skillet or a cast iron griddle, and you can fold it down for smaller pans.

4. Steel grade and construction

Listings here name 316, 304L, medical grade or just premium stainless. Those that state the grade tell you more, but no maker we read publishes a wear comparison, so we would not choose on grade alone. Check the ring joins when it arrives. A rough or open ring is the part most likely to catch, and The Ringer’s maker makes the same point about crimped rings.

5. Where you can use it

Listings name cast iron, and many add carbon steel, stainless steel or hard-anodized pans. None of the eight listings names enameled or nonstick surfaces as a use, and we would keep chainmail off both. For a carbon steel pan, the same care applies as for bare cast iron.

6. Drying and storage

Listings praise the open rings for shedding water and odors, in contrast to a kitchen sponge. Rinse the scrubber after each use and leave it to air-dry. Most of these are listed as dishwasher safe, which is worthwhile after cooking anything greasy.

How we picked these eight scrubbers

We started with the makers in the cast iron world, then read each Amazon listing for steel, ring type, size and origin. We ran a general web search for reviews, but the results were mostly affiliate roundups that did not agree and that we did not trust enough to cite. We could not reach a full Cook’s Illustrated review. So these picks rest on the listings and the makers’ details, and we have marked what those listings leave out. We have not used these scrubbers ourselves.

We kept to makers we could identify and passed over the many similar sheets from brands with little behind them. Smithey was on our list, but we could not find its scrubber on Amazon, and Field Company’s larger kits go beyond a scrubber alone. We checked that each pick was in stock on Amazon when we wrote this, and searched the saferproducts.gov recall database by brand, with no recalls found for these brands.

Chainmail scrubber questions, answered

Will a chainmail scrubber remove seasoning?

Most of the makers here say it cleans without stripping seasoning. Well-bonded seasoning should hold up, but use light pressure on a new or thin layer and check the pan afterward. If the surface looks patchy, wipe on a thin coat of oil and heat the pan.

What is the best cast iron scrubber for stuck-on food?

Add warm water to the pan first, then scrub in circles. For stubborn spots, Lodge suggests a scraper or simmering water in the pan for a few minutes. A kit like the Cuisinel includes a scraper. A heavier sheet like The Ringer has more material to work with on a large pan.

Do I need soap with chainmail?

No, several listings say warm water is enough, but a little soap will not hurt. Field Company says as much, and both Lodge and Stargazer say soap is fine. Our cast iron skillet guide covers daily care in more detail.

How do I clean a chainmail scrubber?

Rinse it under hot water and shake it out. If the listing says it is dishwasher safe, run it through with the next load. Field Company’s listing does not mention the dishwasher, so air-dry that one.

Should I dry the pan after scrubbing?

Yes, right away. Dry the pan with a towel or over low heat, then wipe on a very thin layer of oil. Water left on bare iron is what causes rust, so that last step matters more than which scrubber you buy.

Our last word on chainmail scrubbers

Buy the Knapp Made 6 x 6 Inch if you want one sheet for most pans. Choose The Ringer XL or Crisbee for large surfaces, the Lodge for a firm grip, and Field Company or Lancaster for a small US-made sheet. The Cuisinel adds a scraper, and the Knapp Made Combo gives you two ring sizes.

Before you scrub, make sure the pan is worth the effort: our guide to the best cast iron skillet covers the choices, and the best fajita skillet page covers a pan that really needs a good scrub. And if you would rather leave the sizzling platters to someone else, Julia’s is at 5402 N Highway 6 in Houston. See the menu and call to order.