Eventually, you’ll notice the skillet returning to its raw cast iron form-sans rust. Use a bundle of fine steel wool to gently scrub surfaces covered in rust. No need to panic, it can still be saved in 6 simple steps.
So, you made a mistake and now your cast iron skillet is rusted.
How to Remove Rust from a Cast Iron Skillet Always take the time to hand dry your cast iron skillet so it doesn’t sit out with water droplets on it. The leading culprit of rust? Water! Make sure the pan is completely dry before you put it away and don’t leave it out to dry.
Now, how in the heck do you clean a cast iron skillet so that it looks good and doesn’t rust.Īt first, you were in the honeymoon period, basking in all the new recipes.
Let the rusty pan or skillet soak for 30 minutes and then test whether you can wipe the rust away.You’ve finally decided to upgrade your culinary arsenal and get yourself a cast iron pan. Rogers, steel wool and elbow grease can erase any light surface rust.įor more intense rust coverage, Rogers recommends mixing a one-to-one mixture of enough water and white vinegar to completely cover your cast iron, like one gallon of each for larger pieces. According to cast iron aficionado Jeffrey B. Getty Images How to Remove Rust from Cast Ironĭon’t panic if you accidentally failed to dry off your pan or skillet completely and a little rust shows up. Just be careful to wipe away all of oil and, again, let it cool before storing. You might also want to consider a light re-seasoning at this point by adding a teaspoon of oil to the warm pan and rubbing it around inside. “After you towel dry the pan, place it back on the stove over medium heat until it’s completely dry.” “A wet cast iron can rust virtually overnight,” Jones says. Whether or not you use soap, the most important thing is to make sure your cast iron gets completely dry after any contact with water. You can also use a scrub brush or scraper while you wash to help get all the gunk off. Can you wash cast iron with soap?īefore anyone gets upset at the suggestion, you might be surprised to learn that Lodge Cast Iron - the oldest and arguably most beloved cast iron company in the United States - says using a small amount (just a couple squirts) to clean your pan is totally fine. If none of those methods can get the job done, then it’s probably time to wash your cast iron with soap. The experts at Food52 suggest sprinkling “a nice big pinch” (about a teaspoon or two) of coarse salt, like kosher or sea salt, into the still-warm pan and using a paper towel to scrub away oil and crumbs, then wipe that all off into your trash. How to Clean Cast Iron With SaltĬleaning cast iron with salt is another popular method for those who hate the idea of suds getting anywhere near their precious pots and pans. Just wait for it to cool down and dry completely before storing. The quicker you act, the easier your cleanup will be - and in most cases, you won’t have to worry about using soap or water to rinse it off. If food is being extra stubborn, Jones suggests pouring warm water (never cold, which can cause it to crack) directly into the pan, then let it heat on your stove for a few minutes to loosen things up.