Some people think it’s time to throw away cast iron that rusts, but I’m going to show you how to restore rusty cast iron pans and make them good as new!

Rusty dutch ovens sitting on the ground outside.

Why Should You Restore Rusty Cast Iron Pans?

Some people throw rusty cast iron pans away, but there are many reasons why we shouldn’t do that. One of them being that cast iron pans are the greatest cookware out there! Not only are they non-toxic, but they will last a lifetime, especially if well taken care of. They are also so much easier to cook with, once you learn how.

Throwing things away, is a huge problem in our world today. If something can be saved from the landfill, that is a big win. That is why I am going to show how to restore rusty cast iron pans. Restoring rusty cast iron is easy and cheap, much cheaper than buying new pans!

Tools needed to restore rusty cast iron pans:

Rusty cast iron pans
Steel wool – for the final scrubbing.
Scour pads – for the initial scrubbing.
Baking soda – to neutralize the acid in the vinegar.
White vinegar – for penetrating the rust.
A tub – for soaking the cast iron pans in.
Olive oil – for seasoning the cast iron.

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cast iron pans soaking in a vinegar solution

Steps to restore rusty cast iron pans

Step 1: Place the rusty cast iron pans in a tub, and cover them with a mixture of 50% water and 50% white vinegar. Soak the cast iron pans for 1-2 hours, giving the vinegar time to penetrate the rust.
Step 3: Remove the cast iron pans one at a time, and sprinkle baking soda on them to neutralize the acid in the vinegar.
Step 4: Use a scouring pad to scrub the cast iron for several minutes, until the rust starts to disappear. Switch to steel wool to finish scrubbing and get any remaining rust spots off.
Step 6: Once you have finished scrubbing, rinse the pans with water, and let them air dry completely.

Seasoning the Cast Iron

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
Step 2: Now using a paper towel, spread olive oil on the pans, making sure not to leave any excess oil.
Step 3: Place the pans into a preheated oven, and let the oil bake off. This can take 20-30 minutes. The seasoning process is finished when the oil becomes more dull instead of shiny. Now your cast iron pans are ready for cooking again!

How to Care for Cast Iron Pans

Caring for cast iron pans can seem like a chore, but it’s very simple. A lot of people say not to ever use soap on cast iron, but that is a myth. You can use soap on your cast iron pans, but you shouldn’t scrub too hard and scrub the season off of them. Be sure to season the pans often so they remain non-stick. You can usually tell when it’s time to season them, when things start sticking, or they look like they are very dull and not very smooth.

Storage for cast iron should be a dry place, away from moisture. Dry them immediately after washing by heating them in the oven or on the stovetop, otherwise they could rust again.

How to Restore Rusty Cast Iron Pans

Rather than throwing away your rusty cast iron, use these simple steps to restore them and keep using them forever!

Total Time 3

Equipment

Rusty cast iron pans
White vinegar
Scour pads
Steel wool
Tub for soaking
Baking soda
Olive oil

Instructions

Place the cast iron pans in the soaking tub, and cover with a 50% water, 50% white vinegar mixture.
Let the pans soak for 1-2 hours, depending on how rusty they are.
Remove the pans one at a time, and sprinkle with baking soda to neutralize the acid in the vinegar.
Scrub the pans with a scour pad to remove rust
Switch to steel wool for scrubbing, to get the final details
Once finished scrubbing, rinse the pans off with water, and allow them to air dry completely.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit
Using a paper towel, rub the olive oil all over the entire pans, being sure not to leave an excess.
Place the pans in a preheated oven and bake off the oil, until it's no longer sticky and shiny. It should look smooth and a little matte.
Remove the pans, allow them to cool, and they are ready for cooking!

Notes

Some pans may need to soak longer than others, depending on how rusty they are.
If you scrub them and they still look a little rusty, let them soak in the vinegar solution for longer.
Make sure to season the cast iron pans and store them in a dry place to prevent them from rusting again.

FAQ for restoring rusty cast iron

Can rusty cast iron be restored?

Rusty cast iron can be restored to like new, with simple steps

What causes cast iron to become rusty?

Leaving cast iron in a damp place, and not storing or drying it properly can lead to rusting.

How do you season rusty cast iron?

First you need to remove the rust, then you can re-season your cast iron.

How to Restore Rusty Cast Iron Pans