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5 from 1 vote

Restoring Rusted Cast Iron

A method of restoring rusted cast iron shared by a Lodge Cast Iron staff member!
Prep Time1 day 15 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 container large enough to add rusted cast iron and immerse it in liquid.
  • 1 steel wool or Lodge Rust eraser
  • 1 oven to season the pan after cleaning

Materials

  • 1 2 liter Coca Cola drink
  • Dawn dish washing liquid
  • vegetable oil or olive oil for seasoning
  • aluminum foil

Instructions

  • Place the rusted cast iron pan into a container large enough to cover with coke.
    placing rusted cast iron corn stick pan in dish
  • Pour coca cola over the pan until immersed.
    adding coca cola on cast iron to remove rust
  • Leave the pan in the coke overnight.
  • Remove the pan and wash in hot water with Dawn dish washing liquid to remove remaining rust.
    washing cast iron
  • Rinse and dry with a cloth or lint free paper towel.
  • Season pan once again by coating completely with a very light layer of oil- not enough to drip or run when placing upside down.
    **Since this was a corn stick pan, I made sure that I added oil to each well, brushed it with a silicone brush and then turned it over and drained the excess before baking process. Make sure that you have a light coat...heavier coats will create a gumminess to your seasoning.
    Seasoning cast iron cornstick pan
  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Cover the bottom shelf of your oven with a piece of aluminum foil.
  • Place the cast iron upside down directly onto the baking rack in the oven and bake for one hour.
    Baking cast iron pan to season
  • If the pan comes out a bit gummy, you may have used a bit much oil. Place back into the oven for another hour until the stickiness is gone.
  • Turn the oven off and let the cast iron cool completely in the oven.
  • Once its seasoned, it's ready to use again.

Notes

Cast iron never wears out. Just make sure that you keep it dry and seasoned to prevent rusting again and restore use for years to come.
NOTE: Lodge does have a rust remover. With the indentions of this pan, I chose not to use if for this rust removal.
If  your pan becomes dull, simply season it again. 
So easy!