Don t let the pan air dry.
My ceramic cast iron skillet is rusting.
While a little bit of soap is fine you should avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning your cast iron skillet even if it is rusty.
With a good sprucing up using this five step method you can salvage your skillet and get back to cooking.
For pans with severe rust try using a cleaning product with 20 hydrochloric acid such as a low priced toilet bowl cleaner.
Then use a rag to scour away the rusty spots.
The vinegar soak is the tried and true method for cast iron skillets that have intense and what appears to be irreversible rust damage.
Unlike non stick pans cast iron was meant to last forever even when rust takes hold.
Look at that entire skillet.
You can also use a paste of salt and water to scrub away the rust.
If the skillet has a thick layer of rust and very little visible black iron soak the pan in a 50 50 solution of white vinegar and water in a plugged sink.
For those of you with a rusty skillet lodge cast iron recommends a good scrub wash dry oil and bake.
Wipe off any excess water with a towel immediately after rinsing.
To remove rust from a cast iron skillet start by sprinkling a small amount of baking soda and water on the pan.
Mix 50 vinegar with 50 water and soak your pan in this mixture for one to eight hours.
Since cast iron is so vulnerable to rust it s best to limit your pan s exposure to water as much as possible.
Just stick to baking soda a towel and only if necessary use mild dish soap.
Never soak the pan.
Want to avoid a having a rusted cast iron skillet in the first place.