How to clean/cure old cast iron frying pan?

Question

I inherited some cast iron pans from my grandmother and I'd like to use them but they need cleaning and possibly seasoning. What do I need to do to get rid of the dirt, rust, and I don't know what other grimey buildup that's on these?

Answer 1

I just wash my cast iron pan in warm soapy water and then rinse it well.  I do not dry it with a towel, but set it on top of the stove and turn the burner on and let it dry that way.  Once it has dried, but while it still warm it, I then put some oil in the pan (about half a tbsp) and rub it down with a paper towel.  I then let the pan cool before storing it.  My family is from the country and this is how we have always done it.  Below is a link to about.com that offers another way.  Best of luck and happy cooking!

Answer 2

I use rock salt to scrub it & then rinse it in hot water, reheat the pan on a burner & reapply oil with a paper towel. If something seems especially cruddy, I'll simmer a bit of water on the stove top to loosen it.

Answer 3

Hi, I have 6 cast iron skillets and LOVE them. To clean them up a good scrubbing with hot soapy water and a nylon scrubby does great. After you dry them  wipe them down with cooking oil and either set them on a flaming bbq grill or  in a campfire. This will blacken them up nicely and start the seasoning prcoess. Once they are nice and black and this might take a couple times in the fire wash them up with hot soapy water, dry and using a paper towel spread a very, very thin coat of oil on the inside. I use mine for cooking everything from eggs on the top of the stove to baking cakes and cornbread in the oven. Just use a little non-stick cooking spray and if they were seasoned correctly nothing you cook should stick to them. Also if you stack them together to store them always put a paper towel between them. To keep them nice and non stick never soak them in dishwater!!! Just a little hot water and very little detergent is needed to clean them. Always make sure they are dry before you put them away and with every 3rd use or so take a paper towel and spread another very thin layer of oil on the inside. I have my Great Grandmorthers cast iron skillets and they are still good as new!!

Answer 4

u can clean your pots with steel wool and some mild soap to get all the grime off, if it's really bad, boil it in some hot water first. it will losen some of the build up. as for seasoning it, I found you this link..

http://www.diylife.com/2008/05/05/how-to...

Answer 5

Nothing better then an old cast iron skillet!~good Luck~

Answer 6

I think you could use some old fashioned steel wool pads on them.

Answer 7

You never ever clean them you only put a lemon on them that is all. But in saying this you seem that you need a clean so get a wire pad and scrub but after that never ever let your pan go like that it will need a wipe with oil to keep it clean. Try the lemon to start off with and remember the kitchen paper with an oil wipe to keep them clean. Or that's what they do they go rusty. Good luck in your restoring of them. It is fantastic that you inherited them

Answer 8

You are blessed with the treasures of the best of the cooking world!  Unfortunately, some of these folks seem to be either too young to know about cast iron or just have a lack of knowledge.  I grew up in South Georgia where the staple cooking utensil was and still is cast iron.  For cleaning, very mild soapy water and a scrubby pad is all you need.  DO NOT ever let water sit in the pans!!  This only promotes more rust.  Once you have scrubbed the rusty areas off, oil them well.  You need to just pour some oil in the pan and take a paper towel and rub it around and leave the majority of it there.  If there is build-up where your grandmother used the pans, don't worry about getting that off!  That is just a well seasoned pan and it needs to stay.  Also, the if they totally need reseasoning check out the link that someone provided for you it is excellent.  The other thing to remember is that when you begin using them, you alway use them to cook with oil based cooking and when you are done you use a small amount of water and soap.  If you don't wash all the oil out it's ok, it will keep the pan well seasoned.  It took me a while to learn this when I got my mom's and they kept rusting.  Don't feel like you are leaving it dirty you aren't!  Happy Cooking!

Answer 9

you need to re spray or paint them if you must use those old things.there are new ones in the super market near you.

new cooking utensils will make good cook.

Answer 10

Use steel wool along with a very acidic cleaning solution.

Answer 11

Scrub with coarse salt and follow with a quick wash with warm, soapy water.  Dry it immediately (I let mine dry by itself on a warm stove burner.  Follow up with a healthy rub of cooking oil and then wash it again.  If  you think it needs reseasoning, repeat the oil w(don't rewash) and heat it in the oven for about an hour like you would if it was new.