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Removing Rust From Cast Iron

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Date: 06/23/2008 Topics: Cleaning > Dishes | Readers Request > Cleaning  
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I have a cast iron wash pot that was my grandmother's. She used it to heat water for her laundry. The pot has a lot of rust on the outside of it. Is there a way to remove this? I have been told to build a fire around it and that would removes the rust. Is this safe to do? I don't want to damage it. The pot is well over 100 years old. Thanks for any help.

Pat from Texarkana, Texas
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By trina (Guest Post)
To clean a cast iron pan or pot I put them into a self cleaning oven and they come out looking brand new. Then season as normal. This works for me.

Posted on 06/28/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By PRay62 (3) Contact
Thanks for all the tips. I really appreciate all the suggestions. I will do a follow up if I find one that works best!
For those of us lucky enough to have a family heirloom cast iron skillet they are wonderful!!
I gave each of my 4 girls one when they married. I told them a cast iron skillet serves 2 purposes in a marriage- great to cook with and great to keep a husband in line! I have 4 wonderful sons-in-law! I have never ask if the skillets are the reason why!

Posted on 06/23/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Cyinda (1317) Profile Contact
REMOVING RUST STAINS:

---> USE TANG, LEMON CRYSTAL LIGHT OR LEMONADE POWDER

First wet the pot, then take a some Tang or some instant powered Lemonade mix & sprinkle this on to the rust, now scrub it a bit with a scrubbie brush, or vegetable brush (Just enough to mix it around) now leave it sit for about half an hour, then sprinkle more Tang or Lemonade mix on & scrub again until the rust is gone. The rust should be all gone. The Tang or Lemonade mix works because of the Citric Acid... You can always buy plain Citric Acid if you like. I've seen it sold at most "Ethnic" type grocery stores, especially East Indian stores. It's super cheep & adds tang to fruit puddings & pies... If you like 'em a bit sour (like I do!)

This rust removal technique also works on rust stains inside the toilet, or bath & counter tops & also on cement floors too around pools (from metal pool furniture) or garages floors! ... I saw this tip on "The Queen of Clean" TV show on DIY several years back.

Posted on 06/23/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Persnickety Paula (366) Profile Contact
Hi Pat,

I got a cast iron griddle out of the "free" pile at a yard sale because it was full of rust. I scrubbed it with a Brillo pad, rinsed, dried, and then coated it with plain, old vegetable oil. It came out looking like new and I still use it to this day. But, I also have some very old family cast iron skillets that the build-up on them is so bad that they are kind of bumpy and I know that no amount of scrubbing will clean them up, and I wouldn't want to take the risk of damaging them by using something as abrasive as a Brillo pad on them. Just try rubbing some vegetable oil onto your grandmother's wash pot with a soft rag and see how it looks. I love my grandmother's cast iron skillet with all of its lumpy, bumpy build-up and wouldn't give it up for anything!! Please share with everyone what technique you do use and tell us how it worked out for you! Good luck, Paula

Posted on 06/23/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By G R I T S (5) Contact
Just do a search for seasoning cast iron on this website. You will get lots of good information.

Posted on 06/23/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Harry (Guest Post)
You can clean the rust with a mechanical method. You can buy a product made by 3M Co. and is available at automotive stores It is called Scotch Brite. You can buy it in a sheet about the size of a 9 by 11 inch sheet and use it by hand or buy the product in a disc form with a back up pad to be used in a drill. The product is made from a nylon webb and is impregnated with a grit similar to sandpaper. It is water proof so it can be used with water.

Posted on 06/23/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

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Tip: Removing Rust From Cast Iron

Archived on 06/23/2008

Don't use fancy chemicals to clean rust off of your old cast iron. Simply dunk in a solution of half water and half plain vinegar.

By Connie

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