How To Clean Cast Iron That Has Rusted

Allow the pan to soak checking on it frequently to see if the rust has been removed this could take up to eight hours.

How to clean cast iron that has rusted. Wash the cast iron with warm water and mild dish soap. For those of you with a rusty skillet lodge cast iron recommends a good scrub wash dry oil and bake. Wash the skillet thoroughly. But for cast iron with a thick layer of rust you ll need to remove the seasoning entirely. Remove all the rust.

Normally it s a bad idea to try to clean a cast iron pan the same way you d clean other metal cookware since this can remove the protective layer of seasoning. Use plenty of pressure and rub the potato or lemon in a circular motion. Look at that entire skillet. Typically used as a natural oven cleaner white vinegar picks up where scrubbing with other products leave off. Our cast iron cookware is made of a mix of pig iron steel and alloys without the protective layer of carbonized oil called seasoning cast iron is susceptible to rust even a well seasoned pan can rust if it s left in the sink to soak put in the dishwasher allowed to air dry or stored in a moisture prone environment.

With a good sprucing up using this five step method you can salvage your skillet and get back to cooking. To do so submerge your entire pan in a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Generously sprinkle the inside of the pan with salt then use a halved potato or lemon to thoroughly scrub the salt into the pan. How to clean rust from cast iron using vinegar vinegar is another fantastic solution whether used alone or with a mild abrasive like baking soda. Why does cast iron rust.

Your first step is to layer the bottom with enough baking soda to cover the surface. Next cut a potato in half and place one of the cut sides of the potato face down on the skillet. Oil alkyd acrylics check with your paint supplier or product label to ensure it will bond to cast iron and protect it from surface rust. Scour the skillet until the area returns to raw cast iron. Buff off any residue or rusty bits that remain.

Use the potato to scrub the salt over the skillet to remove the rust. Make sure your skillet is totally clean by doing another scrub this time with a soft soapy sponge. Use fine steel wool to remove rust from affected areas. Apply a coat of rust proof metal paint. To clean rust off of cast iron sprinkle a thick layer of salt over the surface of the cast iron pan.