To address rust, clean the area with a mixture of water and mild detergent. Scrub gently with a non-metal brush. For stubborn rust, use fine-grit sandpaper or metal scouring pad. Cast iron pans are very robust and can take this level of cleaning if needed.
Using something lightly abrasive, like a stiff brush or a scouring pad scrub away the rust under cold water. (A cold temperature helps prevent the rust from reforming quickly.) Oil a paper towel or rag with seasoning oil and wipe down the pan until rust is no longer visible on its surface.
Regardless of the extent of the rust, there are options beyond throwing out rusted cast iron. For severe rust that covers most of the cookware surface, take the piece to a machine shop to have it sandblasted and restored to raw cast iron, then season the skillet immediately.
Strong acids will dissolve rust, but they will also dissolve paint, finishes, and sometimes even the metal itself. Hydrochloric acid (which is also called muriatic acid in its diluted form), as well as phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid may be used in rust removal formulas using strong acids.
WD-40 Multi-Use Product protects items against rust and removes rust from them. Simply soak your cast iron stovetop for a short period of time and then scrub it with a wire brush.
The Cause:
Occasionally, the seasoning on your pan may break down and leave black specks, especially if the cookware is not well-seasoned, but it is not harmful in any way.
With this clever eraser, you can easily restore any cast-iron surface—including grill pans, griddles, grill grates, and tools—back to its original, tarnish-free state. Your favorite pan will be good as new in no time! Before you get to work, make sure your cookware is cool and dry.
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.
Contrary to popular belief, you can use a small amount of soap to clean cast iron cookware! Large amounts of soap can strip the seasoning off your pan, but you can easily re-season your pan as needed. Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? No!
The vinegar solution will dissolve the rust, but once that's gone, it can penetrate further and start eating away at the original cast surface of the pan, the ultimate death sentence for your skillet. If that happens, retire it to a piece of farmhouse-chic kitchen decor.
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.
To tackle items with significant corrosion, submerge your rusty tools or knives in a bowl of white vinegar and let them sit overnight or as long as 24 hours. Once they have had a good soak, remove them from the vinegar and scrub the rust off with steel wool, a scouring pad, or a wire brush.
Cast Iron Skillet Cleaning Method: Salt and Paper Towel
The method: Pour 1 cup coarse kosher salt into the still-warm skillet. Use a folded kitchen towel to scour. Discard the salt and rinse the skillet with hot water.
We do not recommend using Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover on cast iron. The acids in Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover can compromise the metal.
Steel wool works very well on cast iron rust. Afterwards, rinse with water, dry completely, then coat with Crisco or other cooking oil followed by seasoning in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Repeat seasoning if needed.
Also, speaking of erasers: Magic Erasers can also help with spot-removal of rust on cast iron.
You need something abrasive to get rid of rust residue, but still, you need to scrub hard for desired outcomes. If you don't have time for scrubbing, then use a magic eraser. All you need to do is to swipe it with the magic eraser on the affected surface. This will break down the rust residue and make your work easier.
Over-cleaning your cast iron pan is unnecessary and will only stand to damage your seasoning.
Gently scrub the pan using mild dish soap, hot water, and a non-abrasive sponge (such as a Dobie sponge or the soft side of a Scotch-Brite sponge) or a scrub brush. Rinse it clean and then dry it completely with a dish towel.
The steps for using Coke to remove rust are similar to removing rust with vinegar: leave to soak, scrub and rinse. Instead of soaking for three days, Coke only needs 24 hours. If you have items which cannot be soaked, such as taps, motorcycle parts and more, simply dip aluminium foil into Coke and scrub the rust away.
Without the protective layer of carbonized oil called seasoning, cast iron is susceptible to rust. Even a well-seasoned pan can rust if it's left in the sink to soak, put in the dishwasher, allowed to air dry, or stored in a moisture-prone environment.