How To Restore Your Cast Iron Cookware

No other cookware can compete with cast-iron. Cast iron is the one piece of cookware that you can take with you wherever you go as you can cook just about anything on any surface; on the stovetop, oven, grill, even an open fire. The more you use it, the better it performs. Over time, it will build a natural non-stick surface. Not only is it the most versatile cookware, it’s manufactured to last forever- IF you take proper care of it!

However, it is normal for your cast iron to undergo a full restoration, especially if there’s rust involved.

This blog will walk you through all the steps you’ll need to restore an old, rusty cast-iron pan, as well as maintaining it afterwards.
 

What you’ll need:

• Cast-iron pan
• Scrub brush and scrub pad
• Dish soap
• Baking soda
• Vegetable oil
• Large sheet pan

Steps to restore your cast iron:

Top Tip: A scrub brush will give you better results than a than a regular scrub pad, as the bristles will get into the crevices on the bottom of the pan.

1. In your sink, place your pan upside-down and sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda. Open the tap and spray with a bit of water.
2. Add a few squirts of dishwashing liquid.
3. Scrub, scrub, scrub! Use a scrub brush to remove the rust.
4. Turn your pan over and clean the inside using more baking soda and a scrub pad, as there’s no crevices on the inside of the pan.
5. After scrubbing, rinse and dry your pan thoroughly using a cloth or paper towel.
6. Very important: Scrubbing will have removed the pan’s natural protective layer along with the rust, so you’ll need to re-season it.

Steps to season your Cast Iron:

1. Preheat your oven to 200 °C
2. Use a paper towel to rub a layer of vegetable oil over both sides of the pan.
3. Place the pan upside-down on a large sheet pan and bake in a pre-heated oven for one hour.
4. After an hour, turn the oven off and leave the pan inside until cooled completely, then remove. You can repeat the process for flawless results.

Your new cast-iron pan is ready for you to make delicious meals for your family again! But before you start cooking, here are a few tips to keep it in tip-top condition:

Tip 1: After using your cast iron pan, avoid using dish soap. Instead, rub the pan with kosher salt to remove cooking debris and apply a thin layer of oil if desired.

Tip 2: If your cast-iron cookware has a lid, remember to always store it separately and not on top of the pan. This will prevent humidity from building up and creating rust.

Want to try a few new recipes in your newly-seasoned cast iron pan? Browse our Cook-Out ZA Kitchen here.