Cleaning Cast Iron

[seekermeister]

Somehow I forgot to clean the corned beef and cabbage out of my dutch oven last time, and it sat in it's usual storage location ...on the back of the stove top (with the lid on) until it became rusty.

Now I need to clean and re-season it, so I've been searching for the best way to do so. The fastest way that I've found is through electrolysis:

Wagner and Griswold Society

The only question that I have is that it speaks of using a battery charger for the power source, but mine is too small to be efficient. That left me with the idea of using either an automotive battery, or a jump start system that I have. However, I'm concerned that using either of these unregulated in some fashion might do harm to them. Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[boohbah]

try this, good for removing stubborn stains on car body work too.

Draper 30427 Air Sandblasting Gun Kit: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

 

[Hopalong X]

Do it the old fashion way that most people I know still use.> How to Remove Rust From a Cast-Iron Pan | eHow.com

Rust removal and how to reseason.

 

[seekermeister]

try this, good for removing stubborn stains on car body work too.

Draper 30427 Air Sandblasting Gun Kit: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

I'm sure that would work well in it's place, but not in mine. First, I would require an air compressor that I don't have, and a proper work place that I don't have either (I live in a small apartment, with no garage or other space other than a very small balcony to work in).

 

[seekermeister]

Do it the old fashion way that most people I know still use.> How to Remove Rust From a Cast-Iron Pan | eHow.com

Rust removal and how to reseason.

I like the idea of using a mixture of oil and salt along with steel wool, because that would prevent rust from reappearing before being seasoned. However, I not only need to remove rust, but also other crud from my first seasoning experiment, which didn't go as well as hoped. That means the entire interior and exterior of the utensil. With that much surface, the amount of work would probably take longer than my will or fingers would last. This seems better suited to smaller jobs than I have to deal with.

 

[Phone Man]

I have always used a Brillo pad(Steel Wool with soap) to clean rust and crud from cast iron pots. It takes some elbow grease but its worth the effort. I have found old pots at garage sales and they clean up nice. Can't beat cast iron for cooking.

Jim

 

[derekimo]

Have you tried oven cleaner?

I've used it for all kinds of stuff like that, it even strips old paint.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Also you can use sand and a heavy pad with gloves. Also as mentioned you can you a steel wool pad and gloves with cleanser after a 24 hour soak. After all theses aggro cleans you must re-season the cast iron all over again. Really can't hurt these pans and pots!

 

[Chilidawg]

I've found that loosening burnt/dried-on foods can be done by adding baking soda to the pan or oven adding an inch or two of water, then bringing to a boil. The black crud will be much easier to remove with steel wool or some other abrasive. After it's clean, I treat the pan with vegetable oil or shortening and leave on a low heat for twenty minutes or so. hope this helps.

 

[Sardonicus]

Once you get all the crud off and re-season it, keep it oiled. Use a mild abrasive cleaning pad......


You want to safeguard the coating. You don't want to use anything too abrasive. Don't let it sit in dishwater or any type of cleaning solutions. They break down the coating. I usually get any food particles off with a little dish liquid and a cleaning pad, rinse it, wipe it and let it air dry. Once it air dries, coat the surface with a thin layer of oil. Occasionally coat the surface with a thin layer of oil, heat it up for a little bit, turn off the burner and let it cool. Eventually you'll find that the food particle release gets easier and easier, during cleanup. The key is to protect the coating.

 

[w1dpc]

i have found that making a good hot fire and sticking your cast iron pans in it till almost red hot cleans them very well. then take a very light coating of olive or vegetable oil and coat the pans. helps to have a good fire-pit in the back yard.

 

[seekermeister]

When I get to the re-seasoning phase, I'm going to try using flaxseed oil. According to this article:

Chemistry of Cast Iron Seasoning: A Science-Based How-To

it produces the smoothest and hardest finish.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Also the key is to use no or as little soap as possible and just wipe out and re-oil just like a wok it will continue to season and become better with age.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Never ever use soap in an iron pan of any kind!!!
Only use a good amount of veggie oil, add a quarter cup of salt, use a damp papertowel, rubbing until all the gunk has turned loose from the pan, use a clean p-towel' removing the gunk to the waste basket,do this until it's all out of the pan, Season your pan, add veggie oil to a good half inch up the pan side, put the pan in a pre-heated oven at 250 temp..leave in this temp for a few hours, checking on it ocassionally, ..should be seasoned now.. do what you wish with the oil from the pan..your pan should put away. Ready to be used when needed.

 

[Outlander]

Boiling water and lye...stand well back!

 

[Layback Bear]

I have found the best way to season a cast iron pan or pot is to buy them used at a yard sale. To clean I use water and steel wool. Heat on a burner until it is dry and hot then coat with cooling oil of some kind.