How to Restore Your Cast Iron: Banish Rust for Good!

Restore your cast iron to like-new condition using just a few everyday items from around your home.

A cast iron skillet is a kitchen essential for numerous families. Nonetheless, cast iron cookware Can easily develop rust and lose its shine if not maintained correctly. Typically, a rusty cast-iron skillet stems from excessive dampness coupled with insufficient layers of oil coating the surface.

You can bring your rusty cast iron back to like-new condition using some muscle power and common household items. Discover how to remove rust from cast iron with these proven techniques.

Method 1: Clean Using Steel Wool

This technique serves as the initial safeguard against rust beginning to appear on your cast iron skillet.

1. Wipe away the rust using steel wool.
2. Clean the pan with warm, soapy water.
3. Thoroughly dry the pan using a cloth without lint.
4. Re-season the cast iron.

Tip

If you lack steel wool, aluminum foil can also come in handy as an alternative!

How to Re-Season Cast Iron After the Rust Is Gone

You’ll need to re-season your cast iron After eliminating the rust to enhance the pan’s defense, proceed by applying a light coat of cooking oil across the surface with a paper towel. Next, place the skillet in the oven upside down at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and let it bake for one hour.

Should you encounter stubborn rusty areas on your cast iron, consider using one of these techniques to eliminate them.

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Method 2: Submerge in Vinegar

1. Pour an equal amount of liquid into a bucket or basin. white vinegar and warm water.
2. Immerse the cast iron in the vinegar solution for 30-60 minutes, or until the rust begins to peel away.
3. Take the pan out of the vinegar solution and use steel wool to clean the rusty areas until they're gone.
4. Wash the pan with water and then dry it using a cloth without lint.
5. Re-season the pan.

Tip

Although the usual advice is to refrain from soaking a cast iron pan, you can safely soak it briefly in a mixture of vinegar and water as this process effectively eliminates rust and strips away any residual seasoning layers. Be sure to reseason it afterward to restore the protective coating.

Procedure 3: Create a Baking Soda Mixture

1. In a little bowl, combine baking soda with water to create a paste.
2. Apply the paste to the pan’s rusted areas. Scrub with steel wool or cast iron brush.
3. Rinse the cast iron with water to remove baking soda and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
4. Re-season the pan.

Method 4: Use Coarse Salt

1. Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of coarse kosher salt into your cast iron.
2. Use a wet paper towel, halved potato, or halved lemon to rub the salt in circular movements across the pan, applying additional force on the rusty areas. Keep adding salt and scrubbing until every trace of rust disappears.
3. Wash the pan completely using water and then dry it with a cloth that doesn’t produce lint.
4. Re-season the pan.

Tip

Ensure you're using coarse salt for this technique instead of fine table salt. The coarseness of the salt is necessary to effectively scrub away and eliminate the rust.

How to Clean Cast Iron After Cooking

To maintain your cast iron cookware, clean it promptly and correctly after each use.

1. Once the pan is still warm, use a paper towel to wipe away any debris. Should any food be adhered, initially soften it by applying moderate heat with lukewarm water on the stovetop.
2. Clean using a fabric, lukewarm water, and a small quantity of dish detergent.
3. Wash thoroughly using lukewarm water and then dry completely with a non-linting cloth.

Ways to Prevent Cast Iron from Rusting

Although you can eliminate rust from your cast iron cookware, prevention is preferable. Adhere to these guidelines to maintain your cast iron in excellent, rust-free shape:

• Avoid soaking cast iron . Minimize water contact with your pan as much as you can.
• Clean it correctly. Wipe clean right away after usage and try not to use an excessive amount of dish soap during cleaning.
• Keep the pan dry. Following the wash, use a lint-free cloth to dry it off. Optionally, you could place the pan on the stove at a low temperature for several minutes to eliminate any leftover dampness.
• Oil after each use. After the pan has dried out, spread a thin coat of cooking oil over it. This helps create protective seasoning layers that prevent the pan from rusting.
• Avoid acidic foods. Strongly acidic ingredients such as tomatoes and vinegar have the potential to degrade the seasoned surface of your skillet. It's advisable to make sure your cookware is well-coated with several layers of seasoning prior to preparing dishes that include these types of acids.
• Use it often. The more you use your cast iron cookware, the better it performs. To maintain the seasoning and avoid rust, make sure to use it frequently to preserve the protective oil layer.
• Keep in a dry location. Steer clear of storing your cast iron in humid spots like basements.

Read the initial article on The Spruce