Restoring Cast Iron Skillets

Karate Monkey

Well-Known Member
Before:

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After:

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Cat tax:

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qclabrat

Well-Known Member
Which brand are these? I had a set from my parents home which never made it to me. Going to check Goodwill some time
 

one piece crank

Well-Known Member
Pro Tip: Do not use soap when cleaning cast iron!

The proper way to clean is with water and aluminum foil. Wet the pan over heat, and gently scrub away and cooking residue with a handful/clump of aluminum foil - empty, rinse, repeat until clean. Next, blot any remaining water and wipe the pan down with a light coat of oil. It is now ready to store.

Soap can breakdown and remove the seasoned coating. Aluminum foil is used because it is softer than the seasoned coating, but will remove food particles.

This comes from decades of camp cooking on cast iron - skillets, frying pans, Dutch ovens - both on stoves and open fires. Aside from the weight, there is no better outdoor cookware (and indoor if you have a gas stove).

<EDIT> @jimvreeland will not be using cast iron on the ITI.
 

A Potted Plant

Honorary Sod
I am a big fan of rust remover...bought a ton over the years to rejuvenate car parts. I buy the concentrated one that you can dilute to your liking, saves on shipping...water!

What do you use? I think evaporust is the only one he can use because it's "safe" but it's always left this black crud that's harder to get off than the rust I started with.
 

serviceguy

Well-Known Member
What do you use? I think evaporust is the only one he can use because it's "safe" but it's always left this black crud that's harder to get off than the rust I started with.

You have to stay on top of it. If you soak it and forget it it will eventually get covered by the black crud, which is water soluble so it's not as tough as rust to remove, it can be brushed off, still a pain in the ass.

Better monitoring the progress and take the part off the bath once rust free, then rinse in water and then apply a rust preventive solution (i.e. rust bandit). I did a bunch of parts that were then yellow zinc coated...turned out better than new.

I've also tried the technique of 'rinsing' the part with rust remover using a fish tank pump to spray it, it worked rather well and prevented the crud from forming as the solution is always moving on the surface being cleaned.

I've used Metal Rescue and it worked the best but it was too expensive and at the time could not be purchased concentrated, then I've used Esprit Rust Remover, still have a gallon of concentrated. The gel worked to even though I found it less efficient.
 

StayHydrated

Swedish Chef
Pro Tip: Do not use soap when cleaning cast iron!
False. As long as you don't also scour the surface when washing, a little mild detergent is fine. The issue becomes when you scrub very abrasively and break the polymer layer.

Here's a great article from ATK on cast iron with tips: https://www.americastestkitchen.com/guides/cook-it-in-cast-iron/busting-cast-iron-myths

I'd also recommend watching the first episode of "Good Eats Reloaded" - Alton Brown revisits the cast iron episode and it has a lot of good information, even though AB is a raging asshole.

 

02camaro

Well-Known Member
the other day i just chucked up a wire brush in a drill cleaned cleaned off my camping skillet, seasoned it on the gas grill for 1hr at 500 dungarees and it looks brandy new. no excuses not to do this, perfect time to drink beers while being productive.
 
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