Fix a rusty old cast iron pan?

Question

I have an Old cast iron pan/griddle set i bought at an antique store.

It looked nice when I bought it, but then I put it in the dishwasher.... maybe that was a bad idea?

Now it is crusty and rusty and I don't know if I should try to fix it or just put it away?

If I can still use it - what do I need to do to clean it?

I've heard of treating or seasoning a pan - how do I do that?

(and can you do that even if it's rusty?)

Answer 1

Use a scouring pad, like SOS, to remove the rust.  Rub the pan with vegetable oil, then place it in a 200 degree oven for about 20-30 mins.  Don't EVER put it in the dishwasher again.  hope this helps.

Answer 2

You have some great answers here, but one caution,  NEVER USE VEGETABLE OIL  It goes rancid.  Lard is the best

Answer 3

Use a  metal scratcher or steel wool and clean all the rust off.  Using a paper towel, coat the pan with crisco or another oil without salt added, put in 350 oven for several hours.  Do not clean in your dish washer and only wash when it needs it, not every time its used. I usually coat it with crisco and heat it before I use it also.

Answer 4

wire brush the rust off...then melt lard on it and let it set for awhile

Answer 5

Never put cast iron into the dishwasher. The detergents are way too harsh for it (believe it or not). Here are a couple of links that might help you out. It's worth a try...you've got nothing to lose!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasoning_(...

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-season-ir...

Answer 6

If the rust is flakey and will chip or flake off get this loose stuff off. The folks above have all given you sound advise. And dont be afraide to use it. People used castiron for cooking for years and Ive never heard of anyone getting Iron poising from cooking in cast iron. (The taste may not agree the 1st few times but the more you use it the better the taste will become).

If your not going to use it to cook with, coating with a light oil first then with cooking oil will slow the rust way down.

Answer 7

Yes, you should use it --- AFTER it's cleaned and seasoned.

Effort free method -- next time you either use your fireplace or (what I do) when you go camping -  put the pan directly in the fire.  Everything burns off.  I had 30 years worth of growth (the bumpy stuff that builds up on the outside over the years) burn off in about 1/2 hour around the campfire.  It also ended up being rust free!  Cool to watch, too.

To season, rub in some shortening or vegetable oil and heat the pan using high heat (oven/fire).  

To clean, use steel wool w/o soap, a wire brush or those copper scrubbers.  NEVER USE SOAP - it messes with the non-stick properties your pan will get with proper seasoning and use.