Scouring a cast-iron pan with steel wool and CLR cleaner. Rinse well with very hot water and a soft plastic scrub brush after all traces of rust are removed. Then dry and heat immediately. (CLR is not toxic – if it can be used to descale coffeemakers, it can be used for this.)
Mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar and add it to a container that will fit your rusty cast-iron skillet, such as a bucket or a deep foil pan. Make sure the entire pan is submerged in the mixture, handle included.
You should absolutely clean cast iron cookware. Just don't use anything abrasive like steel wool. Also don't soak for very long. And use a standard dish detergent like Dawn. The notion of not cleaning is decades outdated and comes from when soaps were lye-based (lye will break down the seasoning).
How do I use Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover to clean coffee pots, pans or tea kettles? Pour enough Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover to cover bottom. Swish around in pot or pan. Add one cup of warm water, allow mixture to soak for two minutes and thoroughly rinse with cold, clean water.
Can I clean cast iron with CLR? We do not recommend using CLR on cast iron. CLR can compromise the metal.
Vinegar is safer to use than CLR. CLR has some strong chemicals in it, so you need to be careful when you use it.
Will Soap Ruin Cast Iron? Using soap will not ruin your pan. It is totally fine on enameled cast iron, and on plain cast iron, too. It's not going to destroy 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.
Rust (iron oxide) forms when iron reacts with oxygen and water. Simply put, cast iron can rust if you leave water on it for too long. You can absolutely still use water (and soap!) to cook in or clean your cast iron, but you don't want to let water just sit on your pan for an extended period of time.
WD-40 can be used to remove rust from your cast-iron stovetop depending on how much you use and how long you leave it there. If you want to get rid of it quickly, you can try adding more WD-40 or applying the same layer over again.
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.
You can use Evapo-Rust® on your cooking supplies without having to worry about harmful chemicals on your food because it is non-toxic, safe on skin, and leaves no residue. See, there really is no reason you should let rusty cast iron get in the way of cooking a great meal!
Can I use steel wool or a metal scrubber to clean my cast iron pan? No! We recommend using a pan scraper or the Lodge Chainmail Scrubber to remove any stuck-on residue. We only recommend using steel wool or a metal scrubber to remove rust before reseasoning.
For a small amount of rust, just scour it with a scrubber and water like normal and rub with oil. But if you've got a bigger problem, luckily, a little white vinegar and elbow grease are usually enough to whip that pan back into shape.
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.
Second, dry your skillet promptly with a dish towel or paper towels. Cast iron is a big hunk of iron, after all. Too much exposure to water will cause it to rust. You can still salvage a rusted pan by scrubbing and re-seasoning it, but it's more of a pain than just wiping the skillet dry every time you use it.
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.
Let the CLR sit for around 2 to 5 minutes. For light stains, 2 minutes should do the trick, but if there's heavy buildup, you can leave it for a bit longer. Don't leave it longer than five minutes, as this can damage your toilet's surfaces and parts.
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.
DO not use CLR on natural stone or marble, terrazzo, colored grout, painted or metallic glazed surfaces, plastic laminates, Formica, aluminum, steam irons, leaded crystal, refinished tubs or any damaged or cracked surface. CLR may etch older sinks, tubs and tiles. CLR is corrosive.