Removing rust from Cast Iron

[orangeusa]

I know how to season, but a couple of my items have rust, which I guess I seasoned over. They weren't obviously rusted. But the food has a rust smell...

I don't care if I lose the seasoning on these items (Dutch Oven and a 12" frypan).

Sooooo.... how would you suggest. And yes, I Googled this and the answers ranged from sanding to bead blasting. I am not sure I want to do that....

BTW - I may have some terms I am using wrong here...

[DaveInOroValley]

I have heard that those Mr. Clean erasers remove rust. I have not personally tried that but I can say they seem to clean everything else I've tried.

[XDJYo]

I've heard that oil and course salt and a paper towel are supposed to work well. I've tried it and it's a pain. I have a cast iron skillet that just sits most of the time cuz it's heavy and is a lot of work to use and clean up after. I probably seasoned it wrong. I've tried several times and it still isn't that great.

[orangeusa]

I am thinking CLR or a wire brush at this point. I guess Ill try CLR on a smaller cheap frypan and see.

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[Full Clip]

Wire wheel on a drill, then salt/oil and re-season.

[orangeusa]

Wire wheel on a drill, then salt/oil and re-season.

Would CLR do damage before wire wheel? This is good cause I don't have bead blasting hardware. I do have compressed air..

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[baranski]

Would CLR do damage before wire wheel? This is good cause I don't have bead blasting hardware. I do have compressed air..

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Are you going to cook in it after the CLR?

[jeffyhog]

I was researching this subject just about a week ago. I read that you can soak the item in white vinegar, but you need to watch it as it will dissolve the cast iron if left in it too long.

[orangeusa]

Are you going to cook in it after the CLR?

Obviously wash the heck out of it and then wire brush it....

[orangeusa]

I was researching this subject just about a week ago. I read that you can soak the item in white vinegar, but you need to watch it as it will dissolve the cast iron if left in it too long.

You have the same problem ?

The vinegar idea is non-toxic. Then wire brush.

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[SamIAm]

Chain mail cast iron scrubber

https://www.amazon.com/Ringer-Original-Stainless-Cleaner-Patented/dp/B00FKBR1ZG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482028236&sr=8-2&keywords=chainmail+cast+iron

[jeffyhog]

I have some brand new cast iron pans that I found at my parents house. They were never seasoned and have no oil on them, so they were prone to some light rusting from moisture in the garage. I didn't have enough white vinegar on hand to try it yet. I definitely don't want to use anything on it that may soak into the pores and make them unsafe to cook with. I also considered throwing them in the fireplace next time I have a fire and try to burn them out.

I considered just cleaning then up in the sink the best I can and cooking with them. Everybody needs a little extra iron, right?

[CGT80]

I have heard of people using molasses to remove rust. It takes a long time, but doesn't seem to hurt the metal, and it is a food item. Automotive parts are usually the subject, when I have read of it, but it might work on pots. I would be concerned about getting the seasoning or build up out of the pan to allow the molasses to get to the rust. Something like salt, a wire brush, maybe sandpaper, or careful use of vinegar might be a good prep before the molasses.

Pool acid will take off rust, but I don't know how fast it would attack the iron. It is probably a good idea to avoid toxic chemicals which may be hard to neutralize. With bead blasting, it can change the texture of the pan and the glass bead can have contaminates from other items that were blasted, unless you run only new media.

[orangeusa]

I was leaning towards folks who had actually resolved this issue. Instead of stuff I had found on the Interwebz.

I am guessing that wire wheel and then a bit of vinegar gets me to the point where I can season.

BTW - I usually season using Crisco (aka Alton Brown solution).

Thanks.

[Dago Red]

Is it scale? Like loose pieces? If you just think there is some rust then boil water in them for 10-15 minutes. This should convert it (I believe from ferrous oxide to ferric oxide). Same process as rust bluing guns.

I have not tried this but can't imagine why it wouldn't work, for light surface rust on ones that weren't seasoned I've just used a scotchbrite pad. Never use soap on cast iron obviously.

Red