I used to think chainmail scrubbers were a gimmick. For years I just used salt and a regular sponge on my 12 inch skillet. Then last month I dropped $15 on one at a hardware store in Portland just to shut my buddy up. First use on some burnt on cornbread and it took maybe 30 seconds to get it clean. No more scrubbing circles for five minutes or worrying about scratching the seasoning. Has anyone else had a tool they avoided for years that turned out to be worth it?
Oh man, I get this completely. I avoided a bench scraper for years because I thought it was just another gadget I'd lose in a drawer. Turns out it's the best thing I own for my cast iron, I even use it on my cutting board now. My only regret is all those years I spent blaming my cheap pan for my own stubbornness.