Cleaning cast iron pans/pots

[Foul Hook'd]

During the recent cleanout at my Uncle's I picked up several cast iron frying pans and small pots that were my Grand Pop's that he used to cooked for us kids when we stayed the night with them. They have a light rust coating on them and I'd like to bring them back to life, I know about greasing them between uses but how about getting the rust off?????????

Foul Hook'd

[clt_capt]

I don't know if it is the right way or not, but when I've had a rusted cast iron pan, I'll use a brillo pad to remove the rust. Rinse in hot water, and into a hot oven to dry.

Then season with vegetable oil as soon as you take it out of the oven.

[BTH284]

Super fine steel wool and lightly scrub the surface to remove rust then wipe with a lint free cloth of some sort and PAM until no orange shows on the cloth. You may have to repeat a few times.

After cleaning apply light coats of PAM and bake for 10-15 minutes on 300-350 or so. Never ever use soap and water to clean after re seasoning them. A good piece of cast iron cook ware is worth its weight in gold!

[Foul Hook'd]

Thanks guys, I had one suggest get a good fire going and set the stuff on the coals and burn the rust off then oil them down, but I'll stick with the brillo and oven.


Foul Hook'd

[Robja]

I did the same thing Fred suggested on one I picked up at an old country store and it has done fine ever since.

[clt_capt]

Roger,
If you do the brillo and oven method, you are essentially starting from scratch. You need to season the pan like it was brand new...

You season a cast iron pan by rubbing it with a relatively thin coat of neutral oil. Use vegetable oils (canola, sunflower, etc.), shortening (like Crisco shortening) or lard for seasoning your cast iron pans.

Place the cast iron pan, upside down, in the oven, with a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom to catch any drips. Heat the pan for 30 to 60 minutes in a 300 to 500 degree oven. Once done, let the pan cool to room temperature. Repeating this process several times is recommended as it will help create a stronger "seasoning" bond.

The oil fills the cavities and becomes entrenched in them, as well as rounding off the peaks.

[Foul Hook'd]

Thanks Fred!

Foul Hook'd

[puttputt]

if you have a gas cooker/frier you can grease the pan as said and get alot of the reconditioning, clean up outside. you can heat some soapy water to help along with the scrubing.keep cold water away from hot cast metal. i have a breakfast skillet that needs to be whippped back in shape.

[netman9]

Have 3 and have heated until temp is max over gas, pour light water then clean and prep for seasoning. Mine were used by great and grand mother skipping my mom as she has her own set, mine being used by a 5th generation now. Alot of history cooking on the set made in Erie, PA U.S.A.

[FLATLINER]

The only thing I would add to the seasoning process is that after you season them in the oven, wipe them clean and promptly fill with a brick of Neeses Sausage and cook until done and promptly consume all!!!!