How To Restore A Rusted Cast Iron Pan

Don’t be so quick to throw out a rusted iron pan or pass one up at a flea market. Here’s how to restore a rusted cast iron pan!

I’ll be the first to admit that I used to pass up rusted cast iron pans whenever I would see them at salvage shops or flea markets, and I always thought – who would buy that? But that was me a few years ago. Now that I’ve grown to absolutely love to cook with them, I’ve learned a few things about them, and some tricks from a few maintenance mishaps that I fell short on.

I rushed the seasoning process and caused my smaller pans to rust.

I love to cook with cast iron pans, and I also like to serve individual meals in them. Smaller pans, like THESE, that I cook fajitas in, or my Gussied Up Grits, straight from stove to table. (With a hot pad underneath.) They’re great because they retain their heat, keeping the meal nice and hot until the very last bite. But over the summer I didn’t use those pans and when I went to cook with them in the fall, they had rusted. So I did what every short order cook would do, and I put them back in the cabinet and forgot about them until the next time I wanted to use them.

You would think that I would remember after my 5 attempt that they were rusted, but last week when I pulled them out, again, I left them out forcing me to do something about the rust. I didn’t want to get rid of them or throw them out, and I remembered a chapter in a cookbook that I have talking about their care.

Turns out, even when you buy a pre-seasoned cast iron pan, you still need to season it yourself. This step, I rushed. I didn’t oil the entire pan, nor did I let it rest in a hot enough oven for the needed amount of time.

This caused the rust. 

Everything I learned about taking care of cooking work horses, I learned from THIS BOOK! I will tell you now that even if you only have one cookbook in your library, The Food Lab is the one you should have! It has the best tutorials and tips along with amazing recipes. You can buy this must have, HERE!

How To Restore A Rusted Cast Iron Pan

I’ve put together a step by step for you. Although a little time consuming, it’s so worth it in the end!

• What you’ll need for this project:
• Heat resistant silicone mitts (I have THESE and I swear by them!)
• An old towel to rest the hot pan on while oiling it
• An old rag cut into a 4 inch square
• Slightly abrasive multi-purpose sponge (I used one of THESE and it worked great!)
• Dish detergent
• Vegetable or canola oil

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

2. Start by washing the pan with warm soapy water. Using a mildly abrasive sponge, clean the pan, scrubbing a little extra over the rusted areas. Dry with a paper towel.

3. Place in the hot oven for 15 – 20 minutes to dry the pan completely.

4. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

5. Pour a tablespoon or two in the pan. Using the small rag, rub the oil around the entire surface of the pan, including the handle and the pan sides and bottom. You may need more oil to ensure that the entire surface is covered.

6. Place in oven for 15-20 minutes. The pan may smoke, so keep an eye on it. The oil needs to bake in completely and will ensure an even seasoning.

7. Repeat the oil step 3 or 4 more times. You will need to gauge if the pan is seasoned all the way and the rust has been seasoned over. My pans took 4 times of oiling and baking in the oven.

Let the pan cool completely before putting it away.

How To Take Care Of Your Iron Pan

For starters, once the pan has been fully seasoned, never clean it with soap and water. Having said this, never ever let an iron pan sit with water in it. Then, you really will have a serious rust problem on your hands and you’ll have to start the whole seasoning process over again.

To clean out the pan, use a paper towel to wipe it down. If there is stuck on food, pour a tablespoon of coarse salt in the bottom and spread around using the cut side of a lemon.

It’s also recommended to re-season a cast iron pan every few uses, until you have a good solid seasoned base.

I hope this post was helpful for you, and like I said earlier, don’t be so quick to throw out a rusted cast iron pan, or pass one up at a flea market. They are invaluable to use when cooking, and they even bake up a delicious batch of brownies!

 

This post contains affiliate links. I do receive a very small commission on items purchased, at no cost to you. As always, thank you so much for your support!