Can You Salvage a Cast-Iron Pot That Has Rusted?

Rusted cast iron has the potential to be reclaimed for use in your kitchen.

After digging through the rubble in the back of a garage, a rusted cast-iron pot emerges. Work from a previous generation looks almost lost to the ravages of time, but cast iron is nearly indestructible. With some work, just about every piece of cast-iron cookware can be resurrected into a trusted friend in your kitchen.

Rust Removal

The dense metal of cast iron is prized among cooks for the way it holds and distributes heat to food. The dense structure also allows it to withstand quite a bit of rusting without losing structural integrity. As long as the rust hasn't eaten through the pot, it can be saved. Use a fine-grit sandpaper to remove the rust, or if you have a wire brush attachment for your electric drill, you can brush away the accumulated rust. Take your time and remove all the rust.

Cleaning

Thoroughly clean the pot with steel wool and warm, soapy water. Scrub the inside and outside equally well, since rust anywhere on the pot can begin to grow if left unchecked. Once the pot is clean, dry it completely. Whatever you use to dry it will probably turn black from the material that you've broken loose. Don't use your favorite dish towel, but a rag you're willing to lose.

Seasoning

Your clean, cast-iron pot needs to be seasoned before it can be used. Seasoning cast iron is the process of opening the pores in the metal with heat and filling the pores with a non-reactive fat, like lard or shortening. Coat the pot with shortening and put it in a 325-degree Fahrenheit oven for one hour, on a flat baking sheet if needed. Wipe off any excess shortening with a paper towel and let the pot cool completely before storing.

Care

Keep your cast-iron pot in tip-top shape by wiping it down with a wet rag after using it for cooking. Don't use soap, it will draw out the seasoning. Wipe off any excess water and set the pot on the stove top on low heat until all the water evaporates. Let the pot cool completely before storing it. Keep moisture from the pot in storage with paper towels.

References

• Food Network; How to Season a Cast Iron Skillet; Emeril Lagasse; 2001
• Cast Iron Cookware: Saving the Rusty Cast-Iron Cookware
• "Mother Earth News"; How do You Remove Rust from a Cast Iron Pot?; Mark Kelly; July 23, 2008