Cast iron pans are known for their durability, but over time, the metal can become heavily rusted. The rust can loosen food from the stove or oven, create metal residue on food, weaken the pan’s seal and make it harder to clean. Learn in these steps how to remove rust from cast iron cookware:
Cast Iron rust removal steps:
- To remove the rust, scrub the affected parts with fine steel wool.
- Scrub the skillet until it’s back to its original state of raw cast iron.
- Warm water and mild dish soap should be used to clean the cast iron. If necessary, scrub with a bristle brush, light scouring pad, or mesh sponge.
- To season the pan, preheat the oven to 500°F and make sure it’s totally dry before rubbing it with flaxseed oil.
- Using a dry towel, wipe away any excess oil. You want to heat and dry the oil for 1 hour.
- Turn off the oven. (Do not remove) till it has cooled.
- Repeat! It takes roughly 5 attempts to get a flawless result. Your skillet will then function as it was intended. Your best culinary companion.
Other methods to get rust off cast iron:
If you can’t clean the rust off your cast iron pan using one of the ways listed below, it’s maybe time to retire it and invest in new cookware. There’s no point in compromising your health or spoiling the taste of your food:
- Steel wool: Scrub the metal with a steel wool pad to remove rust. This will take some elbow grease, but it is usually fairly successful. After that, carefully clean the pan and season it with heat and oil to create a protective layer.
Salt is a soft abrasive that can be used to remove rust spots. Scrub the metal with an old towel or a brown paper bag, then wash and season as directed.
salt with lemon juice. - Lemon juice with salt: Lemon juice contains acid, which eats away at rust, as well as the abrasive properties of salt. Combine the two ingredients to make a paste, which you can then use to coat your pan. Allow for a few minutes to sit before scrubbing if the stains are very tenacious. Before storing, wash and season it.
- For thin, surface rust stains, use a potato and baking soda mixture. Make a half-moon shape out of a raw potato. Sprinkle baking soda on the rusted cookware before gently scrubbing the rust stains away with a potato cut side down.
How can I prevent rust from forming on my cast iron?
- Maintain the pan well-seasoned : Seasoning the skillet will restore its non-stick properties, as well as its shine and provide a layer of protection against future rust.
- Clean the cast iron cookware after each use with hot water and gentle scrubbing, then wipe dry.
- Heat the pan until it is completely dry down to the metal pores, then wipe or spritz with a good cooking oil.
- Don’t soak your cast iron tools in water or in the sink for an extended period of time.
- Don’t store it damp; completely dry it before storing it. It should not be used to store food or drink.
If you treat your cast iron with care, it will serve you well and last long enough to pass down to the next generation.
