My roommate insists on hand-washing our shared cast iron skillet with soap.

By @edieok2 · Drama

I've explained to him multiple times that soap strips the seasoning I've built up on the pan for years. they says it's unhygienic not to use soap and that he doesn't want 'old food flavor' in his meals. We now have a standoff over kitchen cleaning.

The full story

I've had this cast iron skillet since college. It's perfectly seasoned and I use it for almost everything. My new roommate, who moved in about two months ago, has started using it, which is fine, but he washes it like it's a normal pan – with hot water and a ton of dish soap. The first time I saw him do it, I calmly explained that you're not supposed to use soap on cast iron because it removes the seasoning. I showed him how to clean it properly with just hot water and a stiff brush, and how to dry and oil it afterward. He seemed to understand. Then he did it again. This time I was more firm. I told him it's my pan, and I've spent years getting the seasoning right. He argued that it's 'gross' not to use soap on something you cook with and that he doesn't want his eggs tasting like the steak I made the night before. I told him that's not how it works if it's cleaned and seasoned correctly. Last night, I made dinner and left the pan to cool on the stove. This morning I woke up and found it in the dish rack, looking dull and grey. He'd scrubbed it with soap again. Now I'm at the point where I feel I have to hide my own cookware in my room, which feels ridiculous. He thinks I'm being precious and unscientific about 'a piece of metal,' and I think he's being disrespectful of my property and kitchen etiquette. I don't know how to resolve this without it becoming a huge issue.

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