Warping. Another sign of cast iron damage is warping. While cast iron is mostly made of solid iron, extreme heat and rapid heat fluctuations can cause the pan to bend and warp.
Check For Pitting A second thing to look for when you're planning on restoring cast iron is pitting. Seriously rusted pans may have crater-like divots covering the surface. They're more than just surface damage. They extend into the material of the pan itself.
Extreme temperatures can ruin cast iron Per Cast Iron Community, the cowboy cleaning method can outright ruin your pan. That level of extreme heat will not only permanently warp the metal, it can change the compounds of it and cause orange spots that are incapable of holding seasoning.
They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils. Using an oil with a low smoke point will carbonize at high temperatures and cause residue from the pores of your pan to rub off onto your food. While unappealing, they won't hurt you in such a small amount.
This black residue from your cast-iron pan doesn't look great, but it's just seasoning and it's not harmful. Keep cooking in that pan, washing and drying and oiling it meticulously, and you'll see the issue clear up quickly.
A cast iron skillet can almost always be brought back to life and its age is often seen as pro rather than a con. That's why thrift stores and estate sales are great places to find cast iron skillets inexpensively.
Over-cleaning your cast iron pan is unnecessary and will only stand to damage your seasoning.
Over time, dirt, dust, spray starch and fabric fibers build-up on the bottom soleplate of your iron. In addition, old water inside your iron's water reservoir can begin to cause rust spots. While you may be inclined to toss your iron for a newer, cleaner model, regular cleaning is relatively easy.
The seasoning will only burn off at about 800°F, so don't worry that you will damage your pan by cooking with high heat. Cast iron can, however, easily get too hot for the dish that you're trying to cook.
Can I soak my cast iron pan? No! Soaking cast iron in water is a recipe for rust. If you need to remove sticky or stubborn stuck-on food, use a nylon scrubbing brush or a pan scraper and rinse under warm water.
Cast Iron Discoloration
Each time you cook in your skillet, it will gain and lose seasoning in different spots, which can cause some discoloration in the beginning. But as you develop more and more seasoning across the surface of the pan, you'll see its color even out and darken overall.
With proper care cast iron cookware can withstand a lifetime of use. Actually several lifetimes as these cast iron pans and dutch ovens are often passed down from generation to generation. Taking care of cast iron cookware is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3.
Quality cast iron should have an even surface without any pits, bumps, or irregularities. This uniformity ensures even cooking and heat distribution. High-end cast iron is often cast in sand molds, which contributes to the cookware's even surface and heat distribution capabilities.
No doubt many grandmothers will want to scold us, but the truth is, soap isn't going to destroy your cast iron pans.
Common cooking oils like olive oil will gradually produce seasoning, but won't be as effective as grapeseed oil. Canola, other vegetable oils, and shortening are a little better.
Use this tool to keep your skillet clean and develop resilient seasoning. A chain mail scrubber is one of the best tools for cleaning a cast iron skillet, and an essential component of our Cast Iron Care Kit.
Yes, Coke contains phosphoric acid which helps remove rust from cast iron. Pour Coke on the rusted area and wait 15 to 20 minutes for the acid to break down the rust. Then wipe the pan with a scrubby sponge or dish towel. Repeat this process until the rust is completely gone.