Cast-iron cookware is celebrated for its long-lasting performance and knack for creating mouthwatering meals. It’s a dependable kitchen essential that improves with age, often becoming a lifelong companion.
Nevertheless, cast iron requires specific care due to its vulnerability to rust when exposed to water and moisture. Curious to learn how you can remove rust from its surfaces? Here’s a quick guide on removing rust from your cast iron pan.
Supplies You’ll Need
You will need the following ingredients to clean the cast iron pan.
- Cast iron grill pan
- White vinegar
- Steel wool pad
- Baking soda
- Liquid dish soap
- Clean dishcloth or paper towel
- Cooking oil like canola oil, vegetable, or avocado oil
Step 1 – Soak Cast Iron In Vinegar Solution
First, plug your sink with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and hot water. Place the rusty cast iron skillet in the vinegar solution and let it soak. The vinegar soak time should be no more than about an hour. The vinegar mixture is the best solution to help remove the rust on the cast iron pan.
Step 2 – Scrub It
Once soaking is completed, the next step is to rinse off the rusty cast-iron grill pan and add a small amount of dish soap and baking soda. Scrub the entire pan with steel wool or a scrub brush to fully remove the rust. If it is heavily rusted with deep rust spots, you will need to use a little elbow grease for extra cleaning power on the remaining rust.
Step 3 – Rinse It With Water
Wash the cast iron pan under warm water to remove the cleaning solutions.
Step 4 – Dry It
Begin drying the cast iron grill pan very thoroughly. This is going to be key. You can use a dish towel, rag, or clean paper towel to get rid of all the water and remaining moisture from the entire skillet.
Step 5 – Season It
Since cast iron on its own is “iron.” It can easily rust once again if it is not seasoned properly. Seasoning the cast iron grill pan helps to form a naturally nonstick surface coating that prevents it from rusting again.
To help re-season your cast iron grill pan, apply a very thin layer of oil. Use a dry paper towel and apply it all over the pan, including the sides, handle, and bottom. Then, place the oiled-down cast iron grill pan on the bottom rack of the oven for an hour at 400 degrees. And that should do it.
Enjoy Your Restored Cast Iron Pan
Now, you can enjoy your cast iron for years to come.
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Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
