How to Remove Iron Water Rust From Metal Pots

You spy a box of metal pots in a box at a garage sale or estate sale, but they are covered in rust. You find an old Dutch oven being used as a flower pot by someone's front door. You inherit a kitchen full of old metal pots that you think might be cast iron cookware, but they have been stored in a damp basement. In each of these situations, you can reclaim the metal pots and return them to their original, intended purpose by removing the rust and seasoning the pans.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Aloe spikes Paper towel Steel wool Distilled white vinegar Lard, salt pork or vegetable oil Your choice of fresh herbs

1. Squeeze juice from aloe spikes onto your rusty pot. Spread over entire surface of the pot with your fingers or a paper towel. Use very gentle pressure to rub steel wool over the entire surface of the pot until all rust has loosened, and you no longer feel pits and flakes. Add aloe juice as needed to keep the pot moist.

2. Rinse your metal pot thoroughly using distilled white vinegar. Pat dry with a paper towel.

3. Place the pan on a burner on your stove, and heat on high until the pan is completely dry. Remove the pan from the heat, and allow it to cool until it is warm to the touch.

4. Rub the entire inside and outside surface of your metal pot with lard, salt pork or vegetable oil. Wipe away the excess with a paper towel.

5. Crush fresh herbs to release their essential oils by rubbing the leaves between your fingers. Rub the herbs over the entire inside surface of your pot.

6. Place the pan upside-down on the bottom oven rack and heat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes. Use your exhaust fan or prop open a screened window or door while seasoning your metal pot. The pot will smoke as the oils are drawn into the pan. A dark, shiny protective coating will form that will eventually be nearly nonstick. Remove your metal pot from the oven, and allow it to cool. Store metal cookware with a paper towel between it and any other pan.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean metal pots with a sea salt scrub and aloe juice.
• Do not use soap or water on metal pots.

References

• Harry C. Rosenblum: Some Thoughts on Cast Iron