Rusty Cast Iron-- Help!
I have a wonderful cast iron dutch oven that I got at a yard sale last year for $20. It was already seasoned when i got it, and I usually just wipe it out to clean it. But I've been lazy recently, and forgot to clean it. Now there's a fair bit of what I assume is rust-- it's definitely rust-colored build-up. Shame on me, I know-- I feel like I've let the pot down!
I've tried tackling it with steel wool and Brillo (assuming I'll have to re-season it afterwards) but it's not working very well, and it's slow going and I'm lazy! (I know, pathetic, right?)
So my question is, does anyone have any tips/shortcuts/advice on removing the build-up? Like I said, it's mostly on the inside of the lid (which has all these grooves etc, making the whole thing even more annoying).
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22 Comments:
I would lightly spritz it with water and then sprinkle it with kosher salt and scrub it with a stiff brush. The kosher salt will act as an abrasive and the brush will help to work it into the grooves. It may take a few tries, but in the end it will be worth it. After all the rust is removed, rinse and dry thoroughly. I would put it in a warm oven to ensure that all the moisture is gone. Then re-season the pan by coating it with vegetable oil or shortening and put in a 325 oven for an hour. Good luck!
dhorst at 6:25PM on 03/11/09
I've done the same as dhorst but with ketchup instead of salt.
gingercookiewithlime at 6:40PM on 03/11/09
ketchup?!? you just blew my mind. i can't even understand how/why that would work! can you explain?
foodphilo at 6:42PM on 03/11/09
I would assume the acidity of the ketchup helps to remove the rust. You might try combining my salt method with gingercookie's ketchup. It might be even faster than either alone.
dhorst at 7:11PM on 03/11/09
If your oven has a self-cleaning cycle on it, or if you have a grill you can put it in there, let it cool, and then wipe it down with a damp towel to get hte carbon off. Then reseason it as usual.
beth1 at 7:29PM on 03/11/09
If the above methods don't work, any good hardware store would have a product which removes rust. One was a jelly like compound which you spread on and let sit overnight ( I think it's called De rusto, or something like that) then just wash away the next day. In any case, just ask a clerk, hopefully they'll know that you need. Bacon grease is supposed to be an excellent choice for re-seasoning.
dmcavanagh at 7:29PM on 03/11/09
This is probably sacrilege and terrible advice, but I had a cast iron pan that I would scrupulously clean the rust off of, reseason, use, and then neglect. It was a vicious cycle.
The last time I found it slightly rusty, I just didn't have it in me to scrub it down again. I gave it a good wash and reseasoned it, and it's been fine ever since. (Ok, I actually didn't even reseason it - I just cooked a bunch of bacon in it, but that won't work for your lid.)
If you've really had it, maybe just reseason and see what happens?
cyberroo at 7:30PM on 03/11/09
@foodphilo - Yes it's the acidity that eats it away. I used it on rusty window locks and they came out great... figure it's ketchup so it's foodsafe.
@dmcavanagh - I think you're thinking of naval jelly (lots of brand names).. It smells awful! Make sure you read the label thoroughly, I don't think it's foodsafe.
gingercookiewithlime at 7:52PM on 03/11/09
Done the same as "cyberroo" with no probs
BiereBeer at 7:52PM on 03/11/09
I just checked the MSDS of naval jelly (the phosphoric acid stuff you can get at the hardware store) and it is toxic by ingestion. I know cast iron isn't porous but I would still avoid using it.
gingercookiewithlime at 8:03PM on 03/11/09
Had the same situation with a dutch oven purchased at a thirft store. I used lemon juice to clean off the rust and, yes, bacon grease works wonders to reseason!
donnie at 8:48PM on 03/11/09
When I was a little kid my mom's ancient cast iron pans were looking pretty bad so my dad built a big ass fire in our leaf burner bin (shaped like a big trash can but with lots of holes) and put the pans in there overnight.
The pans came out like new.
I know that's drastic but I thought it was way cool when I was 10.
RegrettableFoodie at 12:02AM on 03/12/09
Depending on level of rust, choose your weapon:
1. Cast iron pans laugh at Brillo. Get a Chore Boy and use with dish detergent. And be prepared to get a workout.
2. Failing the above, get a drill (stay with me here) and attach one of those metal bristly things that looks like a brush but OUCHier. Abrade the rust evenly off the pan. Wash. Season. And don't let it happen again :D.
(I used the drill/bristle technique to remove a failed seasoning attempt from $$$ iron crepe pans. Worked like a charm.)
therealchiffonade at 6:51AM on 03/12/09
I've had excellent luck with the "Clean" cycle on my oven. It takes about three hours, but it does a fine job. The rust turns to dust, and all you need to do is give it a thorough washing and reseason. I use bacon grease exclusively.
1stmakearoux at 8:32AM on 03/12/09
Yikes. All of these posts about cast iron make me feel so guilty about my continual neglect of my collection. I've got to get it in shape, and very soon. No visual problems - I just know that I definitely don't care for mine the way I should.
@dmcavanagh - This is totally unrelated, and I apologize in advance to everyone else for putting this in a thread about cast iron. I have no idea how to let you know this, otherwise. About a month ago, you posted about your english muffin project on a thread I started. Wanted to let you know that you inspired me to follow suit. Just had one for breakfast, and it was fabulous! Thank you for the inspiration!
mollykate678 at 8:46AM on 03/12/09
Throwing cast iron pans into an outdoor fire is an old tried and true method! I got that advice from Lodge customer service department. After I explained that we have a burn ordinance here and couldn't do that, she also suggested the "clean" cycle on the oven. We have such smart people on these SE threads, don't we?? (I'm being serious, not facetious)
Karencooks at 1:21PM on 03/12/09
Go to your local bump,body/paint car collision shop. Most of them have a sand blaster. Ask them to blast your pan and lid the next time they rev up the blaster. You will end up with a brand new pan. Take them some treats you made. It's a good relationship to cultivate.
robincat at 2:48PM on 03/12/09
the most important thing you need to remember, don't use any type of soap, scrub it with a stainless steel scrubber and water, rub it with oil, bacon grease or lard and either put it on a fire or as others have suggested, put it in the oven on the clean cycle.
this dutch oven can be passed down to your great, great, great grandchildren so think about that when caring for it.
olddad at 6:58PM on 03/12/09
@mollykate678- your welcome, hope the sourdough project is going as well.
dmcavanagh at 7:28PM on 03/12/09
I would like to put in my 2 cents worth, I have cleaned rust on many pieces of cast iron cookware by submerging it in Coca Cola, I have tried store brands but the Classic Coke works best. I think it works so well because of the acid content of the beverage. For best results get a large dishpan that you can submerge the piece in and fill with coke and leave it overnight, It will still need some elbow grease but not as much as it did the day before.
blackpotwizard at 8:58PM on 03/12/09
here's another method to try: make a thick paste of baking soda and water, coat thoroughly, and let it sit for a few days. then scrub it off.
cybercita at 11:09PM on 03/12/09
try heating white vinegar, dump it out, when the cast is dry, scrub with lots of salt. Re-season the in the oven.
masonrd at 2:46PM on 06/29/09