How to Restore Rusty Old Cast Iron
Everyone should have at least one cast iron pan. You can use it to bake whole chicken, bake a pie (made from fruit or pizza), or toast a cheese sauce . However, cast iron requires some maintenance.
Part of the Skillet The Grown-Up Kitchen series , designed to answer your most basic cooking questions and fill in any gaps that may be missing from your home chef education.
Even if you clean and dry your skillet (or other cast iron tool) very thoroughly after each use, mistakes can occur and you may find a rusty or sticky stain on your skillet. In addition to any clogged crockery you may have in your home, thrift stores often have a ton of old cast iron that can be returned to good working order with a little maintenance. Fortunately, spoiling cast iron is nearly impossible, and re-seasoning a cast iron skillet is as easy as seasoning it.
First, you need to apply some elbow grease before you apply real grease. Remove dirt, grime or rust by washing the pan with hot soapy water and using a stiff bristled brush. Then sprinkle some Bar Keeper’s Friend and scrub with a soft brush until the pan is smooth. You will see some kind of gray metal. This is good. Rinse the pan well, dry it and place it in a 400-degree oven for ten minutes to remove excess moisture.
Remove the pan (use an oven mitt) and dip a paper towel or clean rag in the high-smoke oil (I use melted Crisco). Wipe off a thin layer of oil on the inside and outside of the pan.
Place a baking sheet or cookie sheet or aluminum foil on the bottom rack of the oven to collect drips, and place the cast iron dish upside down on the top rack. Let it bake for at least an hour, then turn off the oven and let it hang in the closed oven until it’s cool. If the pan still has gray spots, repeat the oiling and baking steps until it is even black.