The Ringer Original Stainless Steel Cast Iron Cleaner Review: Is it Worth the Hype?

"Honestly, I was skeptical because twenty bucks for a piece of chainmail seems steep, but man, does it work. I used to spend forever with kosher salt and a potato trying to get stuck-on bits off my Lodge skillet. This thing took off burnt-on bacon grease in like 30 seconds with just hot water. It feels really sturdy too, like it’ll last forever. Only downside is it's a bit big for my tiny 6-inch pan, but for the big stuff it's perfect."

"total game changer for cleaning my pans! i used to hate the cleanup part of cooking with cast iron but this makes it so much faster. plus i dont have to worry about ruining the seasoning with soap."

"It does what it says it does. It gets the grit off without much effort. Tbh I think you can find cheaper knockoffs that do the same thing, but this one is built well. It's a bit heavy in the hand which some might like, but idk if it's worth the premium price tag over the generic ones."

"Best kitchen tool I've bought all year! Saved my arms from so much scrubbing."

"overrated. idk what the hype is about. i tried using it on my dutch oven and i swear it left tiny scratches in the finish. maybe i was pressing too hard? either way it feels awkward to hold and its just a mess to store since its basically a wet piece of metal sitting on my counter. sticking to my brush."

"The construction is high quality stainless steel. However, the size is quite large and can be difficult to maneuver in smaller skillets."

"so much better than using a sponge that just gets gross and greasy. this rinses clean instantly. def recommend if u use cast iron a lot!"

"Bought the Ringer after my cheap silicone scraper broke. This thing is built like a tank and I don't think I'll ever need to replace it. It's a bit of an upfront cost but the amount of time it saves me on my 12-inch Lodge makes it worth it. Highly recommend for any serious home cook."

"Tbh I was skeptical about spending this much on what looks like a piece of chainmail but it actually works wonders. My Lodge pan has never looked better and it saves me so much time scrubing after dinner."

"best thing i ever bought for my kitchen!!! seriously just get it."

"I've tried the salt method and those plastic scrapers, but The Ringer is on a whole different level. It’s heavy-duty enough to get off stuck-on bits without ruining the seasoning I’ve worked so hard on. Plus, it’s super easy to clean—I just toss it in the dishwasher. Definitely worth the hype if you use cast iron daily like I do."

"It cleans well but it's kind of awkward to hold since it doesn't have a handle or anything. Good quality material though."

"Solid construction. Larger than I expected which is great for my 12 inch skillet."

"It works fine but honestly $20 for a small square of metal feels a bit steep? You can probably find a knockoff for cheaper that does the same thing."

"Idk what everyone is raving about. It’s hard to get into the corners of my pan and I feel like I'm just scratching the surface. Went back to my old brush."

"Total game changer for cleaning my Dutch oven after making stew. It gets the burnt stuff off in seconds and doesn't get gross and smelly like a sponge."

"it’s okay... saves some time i guess but make sure you dry it well or it might get funky. a bit bigger than i needed."

"This thing is practically indestructible. I’ve had mine for over a year and it still looks brand new. If you're tired of ruining sponges on your cast iron, this is the solution."

"omg this thing is a life saver. i used to spend forever scrubbing my 12 inch pan with salt but now it takes like 2 mins. totally worth the hype imo!!"

"I was skeptical about paying this much for a piece of chainmail, but the quality is undeniable. The rings are smooth so they don't tear up the seasoning, and the larger size makes it much easier to handle than the smaller knock-offs I've tried. Highly recommended for heavy users."

"It works fine but idk if it's really better than a stiff brush? It's kind of expensive for what it is. It definitely cleans well though but maybe not essential if you already have a good routine."

"Best kitchen gadget I've bought this year. It's so much faster than anything else."

"been using the ringer for about a month now and its solid. its way more durable than those plastic scrapers that always snap. plus it doesnt get gross like sponges do."

"Great for the tough stuck-on bits, but I find it a bit awkward to hold since there's no handle. I still use it for my big dutch oven though. It's okay, just not a total miracle worker like the ads say."

"Tbh I don't get the hype. It's just a square of metal loops. I feel like it stripped some of my seasoning off and it was way too pricey for such a small thing. Returning it."

"The construction of The Ringer is superior to the cheaper versions found elsewhere. The stainless steel is high grade and hasn't shown any signs of rust. It significantly reduces the effort required to clean my Lodge cookware after a heavy sear. A solid investment for any serious cook."

"It cleans well but it's kinda loud and clanky lol. It gets the job done but I still find myself reaching for the chainmail only when things are really burnt on. Decent but not essential for everyone."

"love that this is dishwasher safe!! so much cleaner than a nasty sponge. my pans look great and it hasn't rusted at all yet. worth every penny."