How to Treat Rusty Iron Skillets
Nothing says down-home comfort food like a good old-fashioned iron skillet, but an iron skillet that's covered in rust can be anything but comforting. Don't be tempted to throw away a rusty iron skillet; a little effort is all it takes to remove rust and restore your iron skillet to good condition. With the proper cleaning techniques and a coating process known as "seasoning," your iron skillet can last a lifetime and can even be passed on to future generations. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Salt
- Olive oil
- Scouring pad
- Dishwashing liquid
- Towel
- Lard or vegetable shortening
Instructions
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1
Combine 2 tbsp. salt and 2 tbsp. olive oil and mix together. Rub the salt and olive oil mixture on the rusted areas of your iron skillet.
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2
Scrub your rusty iron skillet with a nonmetallic scouring pad to remove the rust. Add more of the salt and olive oil mixture to your iron skillet, if necessary.
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3
Wash your iron skillet in warm, soapy water after all of the rust has been removed. Rinse your iron skillet well to ensure that no liquid soap residue remains. Dry the iron skillet thoroughly with a clean towel.
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4
"Season" your iron skillet to prevent rust and create a natural non-stick coating. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Coat the inside and outside of your iron skillet with a thin layer of lard or vegetable shortening. Place the iron skillet upside down on the top oven rack and bake for one hour. Allow the skillet to cool completely before taking it out of the oven. Repeat the seasoning process up to three times in a row for a well-seasoned iron skillet.
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5
Repeat the process if the seasoning wears off of your iron skillet, causing rust to reappear and food to stick to the skillet.
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Tips & Warnings
Place a cookie sheet on the bottom rack of your oven to catch any oil drips that may occur during the iron skillet seasoning process.
Only wash your iron skillet in soapy water if you plan to immediately re-season it. Use just hot water and a nylon-bristled brush for regular or daily cleaning of your iron skillet.
Do not wash your iron skillet in the dishwasher or the iron will rust.
