I have an old Cast Iron pan that someone painted on the inside, what is the best way to get the paint out.?

Question

Mind you I want to use this to cook with after cleaning.

Answer 1

Take and have it sandblasted. Chemical paint removers will leave residue in the iron - remember, iron is remarkably porous. You don't want to poison whomever eats the first meal you prepare in the thing! Once it's sandblasted clean and smooth, take it home immediately and season it properly. Any book on cast-iron or Dutch oven cooking will tell you how to season the utensil if you don't already know.

Someone else suggested a heat gun, but unfortunately that will leave paint residue in the pores in the iron...and that's poisonous. Sandblasting is the only way to go.

Answer 2

Are you sure that was a non-stick pan in the first place? Is it LeCreuset? Enamelled cast iron rarely is non-stick, and certainly if the pan is older, it's enamelled cast iron inside and out. I have some enamelled cast iron pans, about 30 years old now. The interiors are enamel but it wasn't shiny even when the pans were new, it was black and matte, but I also have one of the same pans which came with a shiny grey enamel coating inside. In one of my pans which I abused by heating too hot while empty, the enamel interior chipped off in places. I suspect that what you think is primer might be the grey enamel, possibly very badly chipped, and it isn't going to come off unless you put it in a kiln. And, scrambled eggs are going to stick to plain cast iron or the enamelled pans too, trust me, I've been using both for over 30 years, and if the eggs don't stick it's because you're using enough butter and making an omelet. The enamel pan will be a little less fussy to clean because it won't rust. Enamelled cast iron makes a fine cooking implement, and I can personally vouch for its durability when you look after it properly, but it's not non-stick.

Answer 3

I had some rust on the inside of my used cast iron pan. Try pouring a can of regular Coke into the pan and then placing in a plastic bag for a few hours. Then try using a scouring brush to remove the paint. After removing the paint, season it in the oven with crisco.

Answer 4

Normally in a Restaurant we would use a Machine, in youre Case i'd take a Paint thinner and then scrape it off.
Or you go outside and burn it off. Doesn't hurt the Pan at all, since after you get it clean you reseal her with some cooking Oil in the Oven (repeat several Times over a Period of Time)
I got one's about 70 Years old, and i do that ever so often.

Answer 5

I would not recommend that because you don't know if it was painted with a lead based paint and if you could get all the lead out. Those types of pans are cheap enough to buy new or find at flea markets. Keep that one as a decoration.

Answer 6

sandblasting does seem like a good option, but someone else mentioned lead-based paints. Iron being pourous...it won't matter how much you blast it, it may still contain the lead. I say scrap it. A new one isn't that expensive and it definitely isn't worth the hassle and possible health issues to re-use it. Leave it painted and use it as decoration somewhere, especially if you don't know what paint was used.

Answer 7

Special electric paint removers or heat guns use heat for paint or varnish removal. You can scrape away the paint immediately after it is heated and use a broad paint scraper for removing the heated paint right behind the electric softener. No chemicals required.

Answer 8

Put pan in a outside grill and burn the paint out. just don`t put it in a oven as it will catch fire

Answer 9

clean it with metho, when paint is removed boil out the pan sevrall times with water.

Answer 10

Turpintine. Then thoroughly wash it out or run it through the dishwasher. Remember to season your skillet after it's cleaned.