What's the best way to clean an old Griswold cast iron skillet?

Question

I have an old skillet from an estate. I will be selling it, and I've noticed that it sells a lot better if cleaned up. This is an oldy. What is the safest way to clean off the old black gunky residue?

Answer 1

use a wire brush to remove the loose stuff, then use coarse sandpaper to smooth it off and lastly give it a coat of the paint (DIY stores) you can buy to restore fire-baskets, it will look as good as new.

Answer 2

One of my most prized possessions is a gunky 60+year old cast iron skillet. Anyone who truly knows these skillets would MUCH prefer that you DO NOT CLEAN IT!

But, if you must, then do this. Scrub it down with an SOS pad and hot water, then immediately place in the oven set at 250 until it has been dry for at least 10 minutes. Then cover the entire skillet with lard and cook at 350 for 4-6 hours. This is best done on a outside bar-b-que pit, because ti will smell some. When done wipe off all of the skillet with a rag covered in cooking oil. to keep if from rusting

Bottom line, it will be a lot of work and many, if not most, people would prefer that you do not clean it!

Answer 3

Don't mess with it. Cleaning it is going to ruin it. Once u clean it it will rust and have to be cleaned and reseasoned again. It takes years to get a skillet like that.

Answer 4

The best way is to put it into a campfire or if you burn brush in your area. You can also put it on the gas grill on high for 1/2 hour than scrap off all crud. After you have done any of the above let it cool and then oil it with veg oil or shortening and put it in the oven on 250 for 1/2 hr wipe off excess oil and it should be seasoned well.

Answer 5

putting it in the oven during a clean cycle will help burn it off