I have never used cast iron skillets for cooking until just the other week. I was cleaning out my kitchen cabinets and came across three cast iron pans that I had tucked away. They looked disgusting which is why I never used them. My husband has always talked about how his grandmother made the best scrapple, fried eggs, and sausage gravy in her cast iron. I decided that I would see if it was possible to try to clean them up and start using them.
Before I go any further, let me tell you that chances are your old cast iron pans are totally savable, easy to use, and totally worth the little time and effort needed to get them back in working order.
The materials you will need:
1.Cast Iron Pan
2. Stainless steel scouring pad
3. Mild dish soap
4. Vegetable oil
Here are 7 easy steps to refurbish your cast iron pans!
1. Scrub any rust, dirt, or food from the pans using a scouring metal brush and mild dish soap
While there were certainly rust and dust present on the pans, they were not severe. This method will work for most degrees of rust, the elbow grease needed will vary with the severity.
I used a stainless steel scouring pad and a sponge. I used mild dish soap and after some scrubbing, the residue and rust were removed.
2. Rinse Pans Thoroughly
Rinse the pans to remove any and all remnants of rust or old food. You also want to make sure that all of the soap is rinsed away. If there is any soap left on the pan when you heat it, that soap will be cooked into the pan and it will come out next time you cook. You do not want that to happen!
3. Dry Pans Thoroughly
Make sure that you dry the pans very thoroughly also. You do not want to leave any excess water.
4. Cover pans, including outside bottom and handle with vegetable oil
We chose to use vegetable oil for seasoning the pans. Using a paper towel, soak up some vegetable oil onto the towel and coat the entire cast iron pan with the oil. Do not forget to get the outside, bottom, and handle.
5. Place pans face down in the oven for 1 hour at 350 degrees
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place pans face down on the middle rack. Put a baking sheet underneath them to catch any excess oil. Let them cook for 1 hour. It will smell like hot metal!
6. Let pans cool in oven.
These pans will be hot! I recommend just leaving them in the oven until you need to use the oven. You should plan to let them sit and cool in the oven for a few hours.
7. Start Using and Enjoy!
Just start using your pans next time you would saute something. Whip out your cast iron pan next time you make breakfast. My husband was not exaggerating! It is great for cooking up sausage, bacon, scrapple and fried eggs and that is an easy place to start.
Here are some tips for caring for and using your cast iron:
- Use oil when cooking. It is the oiling, heating, and cooling process that builds up the “season” on a cast iron. The more this process is done, the more “non-stick” your pan will be and the more flavorful the food cooked in it will taste.
- To clean, scrub any food particles out of the cast iron, rinse, and wipe clean. If soap is needed, use it sparingly. DO NOT let the pan soak in water and DO NOT put it in the dishwasher.
- Store your cast iron dry. If you are stacking pans for storage keep cardboard or paper plate between them.
Welcome to Wingin’ it on the Homestead! My name is Stephanie Leaf. I am a wife to a can-fix-anything husband, mother of two boys under 3, future expert gardener, lover of anything old and dusty, and inspiring homesteader. My family and I are new to this journey and loving every minute of it. Please join me in embracing a simpler life!