How to fix a rusty cast iron skillet

[Alan]

Rust looks bad but it is rarely the end of the pan unless there are actual holes in the iron. I use steel wool to gently scrub away the orange spots until I see the grey metal underneath. Then I wash it well and start the seasoning process from scratch to seal it up. Anyone here ever rescued a pan from a yard sale and how long did the scrubbing take?

 

[checkm8]

I found an old skillet in a damp shed that was completely orange but it only took twenty minutes with a wire brush to save it. Once the loose rust is gone I just do three rounds of thin seasoning and it looks brand new.

 

[Dj Jimmy]

Amazing how much people throw away just because of a little surface rust. What is the worst looking pan you have ever brought back to life?

 

[black clover]

@Alan Instead of tiring out my arms with steel wool, just let the whole pan soak in equal parts of vinegar and water bath for two hours.

 

[BigBob75]

When I managed a sanitation truck company, one of my drivers brought me in several cast iron skillets in rough shape that were destined for the landfill. I've had them laying outside for about 15 years and will try to restore them with a wire wheel and an electrolysis bath this summer, IF THIS SNOW EVER MELTS. Blizzard with 18-24 inches predicted here in North Jersey. I'm hopeful about cleaning and seasoning these pans though. God Bless. Bob