How do you clean up a rusted Cast Iron pot ?

Question

I have a hugh chili pot made from cast iron and I would like to restore it to usable condition.

Answer 1

Cast is the best anti stick cookingware if you season it right.

Cleanup the rust with steel wool. Thoroughly dry.. Heat your oven to about 350, wipe down the pot with cooking oil and set it in the oven for about 90 minutes. You might want to set the pot on top of a cookie sheet so the oil does not run off.

You may have to repeat the process a few times, but once you season the pot, it will stay rust free, and pretty much anti stick and will clean up nicely after use.

Answer 2

I've used cast iron for years and love it, but they do get rusty sometimes. Wash it with Dawn detergent or something equally as good, and a stiff vegetable brush to remove the rust. Rinse in hot water and dry thoroughly. Turn on the oven to 300-350 and warm the pot, then while warm, rub it thoroughly inside and out with Crisco, making sure you get all surfaces covered. Use a soft cloth or paper towel. When coated, put the pot in the oven for 60 minutes. Remove it from the oven while warm, pour out the excess grease and wipe it with a paper towel. It is seasoned again and ready to use. When you store it again, coat it again with a thin coat of Crisco, and wipe it down. You will get many more years of use out of it this way.

Answer 3

Break out the steel wool or Scotch pads. If it's really bad, you may have to start off with fine sandpaper first (150-220 grit). Scrub at the rust and get the majority off of it, rinsing to make sure you're getting it off. Then clean it off with dish detergent and a sponge or rag.

Once you get the rust off and pot clean, you're going to need to season it. First, heat the cookware until water quickly boils when splashed onto its surface. Next, using a rag, wipe a thin coat of lard or oil (Crisco shortening in the can works perfectly) onto the surface of the cookware. Finally, place the cookware upside-down in a moderately hot oven for 1-2 hours. It is a good idea to place a layer of aluminum foil under the cookware to catch drips of excess oil. Let the pan cool in the oven. At this point, the cookware should have a black sheen and be ready for cooking.

You're going to need to season it several times to get a solid surface on it. The over method will get a good base on it. After that, use it normally (supposedly to make chili) and then clean it out. Afterwards, heat it up on the stove to cooking temperature with nothing in it. Take it off the heat and carefully wipe it down with oil or lard and let it cool. After about 4-5 uses, you'll have a great, non-stick surface that should last for years.

Answer 4

Some of the answers were right. You do have to season the pot. But instead of putting crisco or veggie oil on it, use olive oil. You can infuse the oil with herbs and the smell and taste will be a part of everything you cook. Another trick is to put it on the grill and let the smoke flavor the pot. The more flavor you put into the pot the more flavor comes out. Everytime you cook in it, you should clean it with hot soap and water and wipe the oil onto it and let it dry. Happy cooking.

Answer 5

Scrub the pot with a SOS pad and rinse well.
Then season it.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lower both oven racks to bottom positions-line lower rack with foil to catch drippings.
Wash skillet inside and out with mild detergent using a stiff brush.
Rinse and towel dry.
Spread a thin coat of melted solid shortening all over skillet including handle (both inside and outside).
Place skillet on top rack.
Bake for 1 hour. Turn oven off and leave skillet in oven until cool.
Do not store lids on pots to all air circulation.
Do not wash skillet with soap or you will need to re-season.
Hope this helps

Answer 6

To eat the rust off of the pot- soak it in Coca-Cola classic for a day or two. It eats the rust right off the nails I use as well as the brushes I use on the grill.

Answer 7

Sometimes this way is successful: Wipe it good with Crisco and put it in the oven at 250 for about 9 hours a day.....for several days...Some people recommend doing on an outside really hot fire....rub it well with crisco and put a little in the pot....place it on the hot hot outside built fire.....

Answer 8

If you can find lye, made by red devil, clean with that, but very dangerous, also use oven cleaner, my dad collects cast iron, that's what he uses, also uses an electric sander on the bottom and sides. When you get it cleaned then you can season it to use.

Answer 9

heres a great link from lodge, the biggest makers of cast iron pots and such.
http://www.lodgemfg.com/usecare1.asp


Possum

Answer 10

try like Brillo pads first....wash and rinse over and over, using the pads....till it appears clean.....if "crusty"...use a knife, (be careful) and scrape any leftover iron deposits....and after all that....heat it in the oven for a couple of hours....dry...then repeat step one again....that worked for me....lol