How to Clean a Rusty Skillet

Don't toss that pan - a little elbow grease (and some real grease) is all it takes to bring a rusty cast-iron or steel skillet back to life.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Copper Mesh Scouring Pads
• Scouring Powders
• Steel Wool Pads
• Vegetable Oils
• Soap
• Soap

1. Assess the degree of rust on the skillet. If the rust forms only a thin coat on the outside, then the skillet can be saved. If the rust has penetrated deeper than about 1/8 inch, then it's probably doomed.

2. Use a steel scouring pad or a copper mesh scouring pad and a heavy-duty scouring powder mixed with hot water to scrub the skillet.

3. Scrub the entire skillet vigorously. If it still has some old "seasoning," or glazed-on oil, scrub this off as best you can.

4. If necessary, use a variable-speed drill fitted with a wire brush attachment to clean out and smooth deeper pockets of rust. This can also be used to clean the entire skillet.

5. When all the rust has been scrubbed off, wash the skillet well with regular soap and water, then rinse it in several changes of water.

6. Dry the skillet in a hot oven for at least 20 minutes and allow to cool completely.

7. Season the skillet well before using. (See "How to Season a Cast-Iron Skillet," under Related eHows, for instructions.)

Tips & Warnings

• Rust is a common affliction of cast-iron cookware and older steel pots. As long as the rust is not too pervasive it can be scrubbed off.
• Make sure all the rust has been scrubbed off and rinsed away.
• Season the pan properly with vegetable oil immediately after it's been cleaned. Seasoning coats the pan with a glaze of baked-on oil that will protect it from rust in the future.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[budgetmom]

on 3/20/2009 Thank you for the tips! I have a rusty cast iron skillet that needs to be saved!

[rogue77040]

on 10/11/2008 IF I CLEAN A RUSTED SKILLET AND THEN COAT IT IN OIL SHOULD I STILL FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO SEASON IT WITH LARD IN THE OVEN AT 250 DEGREES FOR 2 HOURS. HOW CAN I TELL IF THATS ENOUGH OR SHOULD I DO THE OVEN& LARD PROCEDURE MORE THAN ONCE? [e-mail]

[yumboxx]

on 11/2/2007 Is rust poisonous or harmful to ingest? I have been using a rusty wok for about 2 or more years now and was wondering if this is harmful to me. I can't find ANYTHING on the internet with legitimate information on this.

[meeko222]

on 6/14/2007 I used an SOS pad and the rust came off pretty easy. Thanks!

on 6/30/2006 My wife stores our pan with vegetable oil in the pan and a napkin on the surface. She takes the pan and puts it into a plastic bag (it won't get grease all over the place). It is ready for cooking the next time. Just remove the plastic and napkin, wash and you're ready to go. No rust is a plus!