How do I remove rust from cast iron?

Sometimes rust happens and that’s totally okay! If cast iron is left in the sink to soak, put in the dishwasher, allowed to air dry, or left in moisture-prone environments, it might rust. Thankfully, you can fix rust easily at home. 

Remove rust 

If you have a Rust Eraser, start with a cool, dry skillet and scour off the rust. Then wash the cast iron, dry, and add a thin layer of oil. For small amounts of rust, you might not need to reseason the cast iron. If rust is more extensive and you’ve removed a lot of seasoning from your skillet, follow the steps below to reseason. 

If you don’t have a Rust Eraser, wash your cast iron in warm, soapy water with a metal scouring pad. Rinse and dry thoroughly to prep your cast iron to be reseasoned. 

Reseason

1. Preheat your oven to 450-500℉.
2. Apply a thin, even layer of cooking oil to the cookware (inside and out). Be careful not to use too much or the cookware will become sticky.
3. Bake the cookware in the oven upside down on the top rack. Place aluminum foil on the bottom rack to catch any excess oil that may drip off the cookware. Bake for one hour, then allow to cool in the oven. 

Why are black flakes coming off of my cast iron skillet? 

Occasionally, the seasoning on your cast iron will break down and flake off. These flakes are just carbonized bits of oil and they are not harmful to you or your cookware. Usually, you can resolve this issue by cooking! The more you cook, the better your seasoning gets. 

If you’re looking for immediate resolution, wash and scrub your cookware, dry completely, add a thin, even layer of oil, and bake the skillet in the oven for one hour at 450-500°F. 

The cooking surface on my skillet is sticky and gummy. How can I fix it? 

This is just a sign of excess oil built up on your cast iron. Place your skillet upside down on the top rack of the oven to bake for one hour at 450-500°F. 

This is also a good time for a refresher on your cleanup routine! After you cook, wash your cast iron in warm, soapy water. Dry it off completely, then add a very thin, even layer of oil to the cookware and rub it in with a paper towel. The oil should not run on drip when you tilt your skillet. Using too much oil at this step can cause your cookware to become sticky. 

My cast iron smells. What’s the best way to clean it? 

On rare occasions, your cast iron might smell after cooking fish or other pungent foods. Usually cleaning your cookware really well in warm, soapy water will eliminate the issue. However, if a smell lingers, there are a couple of things you can do. First, simply sprinkle a layer of regular table salt on the cooking surface, leave it overnight, and rinse it off in the morning. You can also try baking your cookware at 400° F for 15 minutes.