How do I properly dispose of a cast iron skillet?

Question

I bought a cast iron skillet a couple months ago, and I no longer need it. I don't want to just throw it in the normal garbage.

Could it be donated to a place such as Good Will, or Salvation Army? I don't know if they accept those sorts of things.

If not, where would I properly dispose of it? It's quite large.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Cast iron skillets are great!  I got rid of all my nonstick skillets, of which I had many but never used, and now only have 2 cast iron skillets of different sizes.  I love them!

The bigger, the better, for cast iron skillets!  (unless you lack arm & wrist strength).

PLEASE don't throw this in the trash.  Someone would be delighted to have it.  I'm sure many local charities would be happy to have it, especially since it is so new, or you could offer it on Freecycle, and I bet it would be snapped up in a jiffy.

http://www.freecycle.org/

Answer 2

Yes, goodwill will take a skillet. Skillets are great! why would you want to get rid of it?

Answer 3

Look.......   good  cast  iron   skillets   are   great   and   in  demand.........    ask  the  elder  lady  down  the   street   if   she   would   like  to   have   it........   I  am  sure  she  will  make  you  some    cupcakes

Answer 4

Donate it to a thrift shop, or list it on freecycle.

Before you give it up, do you know how handy they are if well seasoned? If you cook greasy things in it, like hamburgers, sausage, taco meat, etc, it penetrates into the iron, and makes a natural non-stick surface that makes the absolute best pancakes in the world. Just look up "seasoning a cast iron pan" and you might want to keep it. They just get better with time.

Its key not to wash it in the dishwasher or let water stand in it, or it will rust and get sorta "dehydrated". Just give it a quick wash, scraping the dried bits off, rub a little oil on it with a paper towel, and dry it on a stove top.

Answer 5

If a resale place doesn't want it, it can be disposed as for other ferrous scrap.  In my area, the recycling center has separate bins for ferrous scrap, aluminum, cardboard, and various other recyclables.

Answer 6

All I can imagine is that you do not know what you have. Cast iron is one of the best surfaces to use to cook your food, it will shed just a bit of iron into what you are eating, never enough to "taste" -- but enough to make a difference to your general health.

All I can imagine is that you have really got it in bad shape -- like really burned something on it -- and you are not looking forward to cleaning it. Been there. If you can, put it in a campfire and burn it out. Use sand in the stream to scrub it with, or you can use Koscher Salt or Rock Salt. Get it as clean as you can, and then use it at least once a week.  To help it season, rub some oil on it every now and again.

Still want to give it away, post on craigslist -- you will make a friend. If you really must "get rid of it" -- bad vibes, got hit with it too often, too heavy to comfortably handle -- most of the thrift stores would be glad to have it, BUT -- if you want to do something memorial, then you can dig a hole and bury it and then plant that flowering shrub that has blue flowers if there is iron in the soil, and pink if not, or is the other way around? (Wish I could remember its name . . . . ^-^)

Answer 7

donate it but why they are a great pan have one tat is about 70years old got it from my grandma she always said it was safer then the new types of pans and when you cook in it your food absorbs iron from it  but never use soap on it and to clean it she said to put it in a hot fire like a camp fire so it will not rust honest I would keep it