I have a Cast Iron Pan that has some rust on it. Can it be saved I sure would like to use it again.?

Question

I made the mistake of storing it and it got wet.

Answer 1

I read through the archive on cleaning and reseasoning, and I have a few additional things to add. I have recently reseasoned several pieces of cast iron. I used a propane camp stove to burn off the coating outside. I followed this with a knotted wire cup brush on a 4 1/2 inch grinder to grind off any remaining carbon and rust. If you don't have access to a sandblaster, a rotary wire brush can work very well for cleaning up what doesn't burn off. It also smooths out the metal a bit as well.

To reseason, I washed the cast iron thoroughly, dried it with a towel, then with a bit of heat. Then I rubbed the hot metal with melted solid Crisco, inside and out. I turned it upside down and seasoned on the propane grill with the lid down and the burner turned down as low as it will go. I did this three times for about 15 minutes each time and it came out looking like black glass. The best part is that all the mess, smoke and smell is outside!

All of the cast iron that I have seasoned this way is easy to clean. It is as slick as teflon, and cleans easily by boiling a bit of water and then wiping out with a paper towel, followed by a wipe down with peanut oil on the inside.

I love my cast iron! It's a joy to cook with!


^found that at a link. I have a cast iron pan and i love it. so this is a very good site! I would advise checking it out.

Answer 2

You need to remove all the rust. Use a coarse steel wool and good dish washing liquid. After you have scrubbed all the rust off you will need to "season" the pan so you can use it to cook with. To do this get some good virgin olive oil or I like to use the fat left over from cooked bacon. (imparts a good flavor for the type of dishes I like to make) Coat the pan with a good layer of the oil or fat and bake it in the oven at about 325 degrees for 15 minutes or so. ( long enough to heat the pan through ) Take it out of the oven and coat it with another layer of oil or fat. (use plenty and be careful not to burn yourself) Put the pan back in the oven for another 10 minutes or so. Allow the pan to cool, wipe off any excess oil, and it's ready to store until you need it again. When you cook the first few times with a newly seasoned pan it is best to cook something oily or fatty. This helps to season the pan further if you want to use it for baking. Best wishes.

Answer 3

I'd like to add that, after the rust has been removed, that you follow the advice about seasoning the pan. This is essential regarding rust, because once seasoned, you should never wash it again with detergent. This seasoned surface should work as good as any non stick pan and can be cleaned very well with a PLASTIC scrubber and just a little water on the stubborn spots. Be sure to dry it thoroughly before putting it away.

Answer 4

If the rust isn't too severe, just rub oil on it and then use a non-scratch pad to remove the rust. Then put a thin coat of oil on it and wipe. I've had cast iron pans that this happened to and this remedy worked.

Answer 5

You need to re-season it. Wipe both the inside and outside with vegetable oil and place in a heated 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove and wipe off excess oil with a paper towel. You may need to do this again with the inside. I am suggesting the outside also because you want to get rid of all the rust.

Answer 6

Heat your oven up to about 350 and turn it off! Rub a thin coat of cooking oil in your skillet (with a paper towel or something) and then put your skillet in the warm oven. It's called "seasoning" it. Do that about every three months and you'll never have to worry about rust in it again!

Answer 7

Scrape it with a spatula in hot water.

Then coat it down with oil....or cook something really fatty in it...like bacon fat.

Remove all the rust..it should be fine.

Answer 8

Clean it with dish soap then reseason it. http://www.kitchenemporium.com/info/castiron.html

Answer 9

heat with oil in it