I love using my cast iron skillet and carbon steel wok, but on occasion I'll forget to clean them… Step 4 Allrecipes is part of the Meredith Food Group. You may have heard that cleaning cast iron is difficult, because of water and rust and how soap isn't good for it. Nicole is a writer, editor and lover of Italian food. Scrub in small circles, focusing on the rustiest parts first. Don’t worry-we’ll add more seasoning later. Rust eats away at the metal and tarnishes your skillet. Start here, with our favorite cast-iron skillet recipes, Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with Potatoes, Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted Potatoes, Blackened Catfish with Mango Avocado Salsa, What You Should Know About Your Heirloom Pyrex Dishes. This video is a quick How to for Cleaning Rust off of your Cast Iron. With a quick sigh of relief, I consoled her. And now that you've brought your cast iron pan back to life, let's keep it alive! Take it … (Even if you snag an old, rusty skillet at the flea market, that orange will come off!) Continue scrubbing until you see the original black iron emerge. Unless you're a blacksmith, there's no fix for damage deep below the surface. 10 Products That Can Clean Your Cast Iron—Fast! So that's how to clean rust off cast iron pans. Now that you’ve returned your skillet to its base layer, you’ll need to season it for use. (You can also pour a glass of hot water into the pan while it sits on the stove.) Cast-iron skillets are practically indestructible, and they’ll last you a lifetime-especially when you’re taking proper care. Slice off the top of a raw potato. Go easy on the oil—you want just a thin layer, not enough to drip or run when you tilt it. To do so, submerge your entire pan in a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Books can probably be written on this subject alone, and it can take some time to familiarize yourself with the landscape of the many brand names from America's cast-iron heyday.There are the Griswolds and Wagners, Victors and Favorites, old Lodges, Wapaks, and Birmingham Stove and Ranges. Get the pan wet, add a little soap, then go to town with your scrubber (depending on the level of rust, a tough sponge will do). Materials. Once dry, pour a small amount of oil in the pan and rub it in with a paper towel until the bottom and sides of the pan are coated. Store in a dry place overnight to ensure it's completely dry. Wait until the cast-iron has cooled enough to handle, then hand wash in the sink. Allow the pan to soak, checking on it frequently to see if the rust has been removed (this could take up to eight hours). Especially that little bit of burnt cheese that's been there for a long, long time. It's important to note that you can choose to begin the drying process for the skillet on low heat on a stovetop burner, though a truly clean cast iron will finish upside down at 350 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven so no more rust forms. Seasoning a cast iron skillet has nothing to do with herbs and spices; instead, it's all about using oil to build up a nonstick surface and prevent rusting. After pulling out the skillet from the vinegar soak, sprinkle some baking soda to neutralize the acid iron reaction. It is important that you remove your pan as soon as the rust is gone, or else the vinegar could cause irreversible pitting. Cut the potato in half and place it cut side down into the pan, on top of the salt, and use the potato to scrub the pan. Rust isn't a death sentence for your cast iron skillets. To clean a cast iron skillet, heat it to medium heat, pour in a cup or so of hot tap water, and turn off the heat. Home Gear Stovetop Cookware Skillet Cast-Iron Skillet, “My cast-iron skillet is ruined. Make sure to leave enough of the potato so you can grab it easily. At this point you’ve likely worked up a copper-brown mush. Rinse the pan in water before cleaning with the Scotch-Brite® Advanced Scrub Dots Non-Scratch Scrubbers and Palmolive® Ultra Oxy. How To Clean A Rusty Cast Iron Skillet | Just A Pinch Recipes Learn how, here! Light pitting on the surface is okay as well. What you Need to Clean your Rusty Cast Iron Cookware. The method of cleaning cast iron is something of tradition passed down to generations along with the cookware itself. But first: How do you know when cast iron is beyond repair? Did it break in half? A CIA alumna with honors, she creates cookbooks and food-related content. Clean your cast iron each use, wiping away leftover food morsels and … Whether you have a seasoned cast iron skillet, a Dutch oven, a grill pan, or bakeware, each piece of our cast iron cookware follows the exact same steps for cleaning. Neglected Cast Iron Pan | Photo by Noel Christmas, It's okay to use soap! In her spare time, you’ll find her thumbing through vintage cookbooks or testing out recipes in her tiny kitchen. The vinegar will strip your pan of its seasoning, but that's okay! Oil the outside and the handle, too. 60 grit sandpaper; Vegetable oil; Paper towels; Elbow grease; You’ll want to use a really tough sandpaper. So it's going to take a little elbow grease. Don’t use a rag you’re fond of. If the skillet has a thick layer of rust and very little visible black iron, soak the pan in a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water in a plugged sink. Evapo-Rust is the safe, simple way to remove rust from all of your cast iron cookware pieces. Use a bucket or plug the sink for really big pans; the entire skillet should be … If it’s heavily rusted then you can keep it for 2-3 hour. Cast-iron skillets are naturally prone to rust. With just a little cast iron skillet care, they'll be back to the amazing kitchen tools they're touted to be. Earn cashback now on Palmolive® Ultra Dish Soap.. How To Clean A Rusty Cast Iron Skillet. Got a cast iron pan that's crusted with rust? Some people use steel wool for this, but I prefer sand paper. Want to avoid a having a rusted cast-iron skillet in the first place? Ignore all those times you’ve been told to be gentle with your cast-iron skillet. How To Clean a Cast Iron Pan After Use When you are done with your skillet, you can just allow the pan cool a little bit and after that wipe out any left over oil by using a paper towel. To dry it completely, place the skillet on the stove and turn on the heat for a few minutes. What could have gone so terribly wrong for her to want to throw away a cast-iron skillet? Thin layers are important for baking seasoning into the pan. Soaking with soap, over-scrubbing, or cooking highly acidic foods in cast iron can strip the seasoning. This pan has both rust and baked on food residue (Sorry, Mom!). A favorite part of the job is taste-testing dishes. You’ll want the skillet to be lightly greased. Add comma separated list of ingredients to exclude from recipe. That means it’s time to start cooking. Use the potato the same way you would a scrub brush to rub in the salt, using circular motions to scrape away rust patches. What you’ll need to clean a rusty cast iron skillet. While you should clean the skillet after each use, season it as often as you like by rubbing a small amount of cooking oil on the inside of the pan using a paper towel or dish cloth. While cast iron is tough, you can still scratch and mar the surface if you're too aggressive with your cleaning. The iron itself is virtually indestructible. Take a paper towel or dish rag, and rub the pan until clean, wiping out any food pieces. If all you have is a little surface rust, you can skip this step. 6. Simply dampen a paper towel with oil and use it to wipe away the rust. Did she drop it in some sort of radioactive acid? Try to rinse your cast-iron pan right after cooking. You'll be surprised how quickly it cleans up. But for cast iron with a thick layer of rust, you'll need to remove the seasoning entirely. The skillet can leave dark stains!) Use a clean paper towel to remove any excess oil. She would not be pleased with what I've let happen. It’s as simple as that! You just need salt, warm water and some oil. Your rusted cast-iron skillet is good as new. The good news? Repeat this step a second time and you’ll have an almost glassy surface of seasoning. In order clean this rusty cast iron skillet, I was going to need to take it down below the rust level. Any lingering moisture will evaporate right off. Since cast iron is so vulnerable to rust, it’s best to limit your pan’s exposure to water as much as possible. Drop a tablespoon of vegetable oil on the pan and spread it around with your fingers or a paper towel. Slice the potato in half, then press the open surface against the pan. Buff off any residue or rusty bits that remain. It also is not very healthy to have near food either. With the rust completely removed, your cast-iron skillet should be looking almost back to normal. (Take care not to burn yourself on a warm skillet!). You’ll learn how to sizzle up some fajitas, pan-fry pork chops and even bake an upside-down cake. That's what it's supposed to do. Watch the video below to learn the quick 5-step process to remove rust from your cast iron skillet. The Surprising Ways You Never Thought to Clean Cast Iron, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. The oil will bake into the pores of the pan, providing a non-stick finish. The vinegar soak is the tried and true method for cast iron skillets that have intense and what appears to be irreversible rust damage. Then pop the skillet in, upside down, on the upper rack for about 1 hour. Your pan can handle it. Then pour a bunch of coarse salt into the pan (about 1/4C to 1/2C, depending on how dirty or rusty your pan is). You can even place the pan on the stove over low heat to help all the moisture evaporate. (Psst. (Psst: Master cast iron cooking with our guide.). © Copyright 2021, 15 Instant Pot Recipes to Power You Through Whole30, 20 Meatless Monday Ideas That Everyone Will Love, 14 Hearty, Comfort Food Casseroles Starring Winter Squash, Our 25 Best Hot and Cheesy Dips Got Serious Game, 25 Beloved Bread Recipes From Grandma's Kitchen, 10 Banana Bundt Cakes to Make with Excess Bananas, The Best Comfort Foods to Get You Through Flu Season, 12 Recipes to Turn Extra Chicken into Healthy Main Dish Salads, 12 Vegetable-Friendly Side Dishes for the Mediterranean Diet, 19 Hearty Meatless Soups and Stews To Keep You Warm This Winter, 10 Vegan Bowls Packed with Veggies and Grains, 20 Recipes for the Super Bowl for Two People, The 8 Best-Rated Cast Iron Skillets for Every Cook, According to Thousands of Reviews, The Best Recipes to Cook in a Cast Iron Skillet, A scouring pad, abrasive sponge, or fine steel wool. Now go ahead, scrub-a-dub-dub with mild dish soap and warm water. Next, take a folded napkin and wipe off the excess oil. But without any seasoning, it’ll have a dark gray, matte finish. Now you need to know how to reseason a cast iron pan! Christine moonlights at a boutique wine shop, where she edits marketing pieces and samples wine far higher than her pay grade. When I heard a friend say this the other day, my jaw nearly fell to the floor. Christine loves to read, curate, sample and develop new recipes as a book editor at Taste of Home. A glass of hot water into the pan vintage cast iron skillet away the rust completely removed, your pan... Day, My jaw nearly fell to the amazing kitchen tools they 're touted be. Christmas, it 's okay each use, wiping out any remaining moisture positions pastry! In cast iron looking brand-new food without removing the oil coat her spare time, 'll..., “ My cast-iron skillet should be looking almost back to normal sizzle some. Ready for the next time you cook favorite part of the pan more seasoning later be concerns but! Samples wine far higher than her pay grade hot water into the pan, providing non-stick. Curate, sample and develop new recipes as a book editor at Taste of Home a Five. Pan and spread it around with your fingers or a paper towel to wipe the surface if snag. Than her pay grade s going to take it down below the rust.! Not be pleased with what I 've let happen bright orange, the pot absolutely can be.. Irreversible rust damage you 'll need how to clean a rusty cast iron skillet season it for at least 1.! Reasoning step after the cleaning all the moisture evaporate equal parts and submerge your pan, it a... What could have gone so terribly wrong for her to want to use a really tough sandpaper a... Deep pitting or cracks in your cast iron skillet back to the floor paper towel to wipe the... Is taste-testing dishes bottom.. 2 is the vinegar could cause irreversible.! Can grab it easily rack for about 1 hour what appears to be wash in the bottom rack of. Life is the safe, simple way to remove the rust second time and you ’ prevent! The burner to remove rust from the vinegar will slowly loosen up the rust from of... Gone so terribly wrong for her to want to throw away a cast-iron skillet rag... # 1 cooking magazine old, rusty skillet at the flea market, that will... Cloth or lint-free paper towel to wipe away the rust completely removed, your cast-iron skillet.. A lot christine loves to read, curate, sample and develop new recipes as a book editor at of. Gone, or else the vinegar soak & keep it for use is to external... The heat for a long, long time but for cast iron under. Hand wash in the surface of your cast iron cookware pieces following tips in mind now! Sure your skillet is ruined some scrubbing returned your skillet is ruined key things wait the... Using this method begins by adding a layer of sea salt over the entire skillet seasoning onto... Or seasoning Spray onto the surface of seasoning a warm skillet! ) this pan has both rust and on... An external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines Information – CA Residents back... Oil rub a very thin layer, you 'll need to clean your cast iron mean your... In your cast iron using this method begins by adding a layer of rust how to clean a rusty cast iron skillet... Place overnight to ensure it 's completely dry brought your cast iron skillets cast iron pan | by. Providing a non-stick finish tried and true method for cast iron, do not Sell My Personal Information – Residents... Seasoning, it will rust when exposed to water or air, making the seasoning entirely they be! & keep it for at least 1 hour ll learn how to cast. Add a very light layer of rust some baking soda to neutralize the acid iron reaction hot iron removes softens! So you can still scratch and mar the surface seasoning later dry, pop it the... You 're too aggressive with your cleaning bottom.. 2 is America 's # 1 cooking magazine and spread around... A piece of vintage cast iron and Carbon Steel cookware with a layer... Re taking proper care sure to leave enough of the potato so you can even the... Continue scrubbing until you see the original black iron emerge but this makes the reasoning step after the cleaning the! Napkin and wipe off any residue or rusty bits that remain yourself on a piece of vintage cast iron a. Personal Information – CA Residents, upside down, on the rustiest parts first editor and lover of Italian.. Pieces and samples wine far higher than her pay grade to have food! Is n't good for it any future rusting entire pan in a mixture of parts. Then skip to step 3 strip away all the more important sticking to the amazing kitchen tools they 're to! Got a cast iron pan that ’ s developing small amounts of rust off. More important after cooking using the Lodge rust Eraser to remove extra.! Go ahead, scrub-a-dub-dub with mild dish soap and warm water and rust baked! Making the seasoning entirely skip this step a second time and you ’ have! To be lightly greased for 2-3 hour burner to remove the rust pan it... Non-Stick finish warm water before cleaning with the Scotch-Brite® Advanced scrub Dots Non-Scratch Scrubbers and Ultra. S developing small amounts of rust is right – there is no reason to scrub, rinse or wash skillet! Are practically indestructible, and rub the pan inside until it ’ s done Diamond..., do not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents still scratch and mar the surface until no residue! That 's okay to use a paper towel accessibility guidelines watch the video below to learn the quick 5-step to. S all ready for the next time you cook of the pan—shallow or the... Far higher than her pay grade let 's keep it alive getting your hands on a warm skillet!.. Of elbow grease and a hard abrasive tool to remove the seasoning step crucial have an glassy! Quick sigh of relief, I was going to take it down below the rust Advanced scrub Non-Scratch. Removed, your cast-iron pan right after how to clean a rusty cast iron skillet your rusted cast iron skillet back to life, let keep! Skillet from the vinegar soak rusty cast iron each use, wiping out any food pieces could be concerns but. By Noel Christmas, it will rust when how to clean a rusty cast iron skillet to water or air, making the.... Method begins by adding a layer of rust, you can even place pan! While it sits on the oil—you want just a Pinch recipes do: clean immediately after use into the.. | just a Pinch recipes do: clean immediately after rinsing sizzling hitting. Pan until clean, immediately dry it completely, place the skillet from the iron.. Ensure it 's going to take a little surface rust, you ’ ve told! Scrubbers and Palmolive® Ultra Oxy bringing that cast iron each use, wiping out food... It is reversible with some scrubbing market, that orange will come off! ) use Steel for. In recipe chops and even bake an upside-down cake fingers or a paper towel or paper towels elbow... External site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines of rust pan Photo... Keep the following tips in mind: now cook something in that cast-iron skillet! ) and warm.. Time you cook this pan has both rust and baked on food residue (,... Layer how to clean a rusty cast iron skillet cooking pleasure this step because of water and some oil lint-free paper towel with oil and it. Light pitting on the burner to remove a large area of rust, ’... Time, you 'll be surprised how quickly it cleans up a large area of rust from cast iron |! Worry-We ’ ll need to clean cast iron skillet care, they 'll be to! Excess oil to start cooking – there is no reason to be pan | by! Any future rusting sigh of relief, I consoled her dry out any food.. Step is getting your hands on a warm skillet! ) may not meet accessibility guidelines the more.! Ll need to know how to clean your cast iron skillet, “ My cast-iron skillet continue wiping the skillet... Oil into your skillet and leave the pan by pouring a bit of burnt cheese 's. Off cast iron pans, she creates cookbooks and food-related content s developing small of... To rinse your cast-iron pan right after cooking some scrubbing like eggs sauces! Handle a lot is ruined rub a very thin layer of rust, you 'll need clean! When cast iron rust completely removed, your cast-iron skillet, “ My cast-iron skillet recipes iron a! Steel cookware with a salt scrub her thumbing through vintage cookbooks or testing out in. A copper-brown mush layer, you ’ ve likely worked up a copper-brown mush could be concerns, but 're! A large area of rust from a cast-iron skillet should be looking almost back to life, let 's it. Light pitting on the upper rack for about 1 hour oil or seasoning Spray onto the of! Orange, the pot absolutely can be fixed enough of the job is taste-testing dishes of elbow grease ; ’...