Rust Off Cast Iron

[BigBob75]

To remove rust from a cast iron pan if you don't have a battery charger, just use a FINE sanding disc (the one that looks like a small round sponge, not sandpaper) on an electric drill, cord or cordless that you can get at most hardware/big box stores. Use a FINE disc (not sandpaper) and it should remove the rust without a lot of effort. Do it out side so as NOT to cause a mess inside. Use goggles/safety glasses and a dust mask. Sandpaper will take off material, FINE sponge looking disc will just remove rust. Go easy. Good luck. God Bless. Bob
P.S.-If you want to smooth out the rough surface of a NEW pan, go ahead and use progressively finer sandpaper prior to seasoning it.

 

[Bumpy.Lemon99]

To remove rust from a cast iron pan if you don't have a battery charger, just use a FINE sanding disc (the one that looks like a small round sponge, not sandpaper) on an electric drill, cord or cordless that you can get at most hardware/big box stores. Use a FINE disc (not sandpaper) and it should remove the rust without a lot of effort. Do it out side so as NOT to cause a mess inside. Use goggles/safety glasses and a dust mask. Sandpaper will take off material, FINE sponge looking disc will just remove rust. Go easy. Good luck. God Bless. Bob
P.S.-If you want to smooth out the rough surface of a NEW pan, go ahead and use progressively finer sandpaper prior to seasoning it.

Bob, I appreciate you sharing this method. Using a fine abrasive disc on a drill can work well for surface rust, especially if you're careful not to press too hard. Just to add, wet-dry sandpaper in the 120 to 220 grit range is also a good option for hand work when power tools aren't available. It gives you more control and helps avoid thinning the metal, which can happen if you go too aggressive with sanding.

For newer pans with rough surfaces, smoothing them out before seasoning can help with food release but I always remind guys and gals to go slow and check the surface often.

 

[BigBob75]

NO -NO! I don't use an abrasive disc/sandpaper. . I use what looks like a small round Scotch Bite pad on a cordless drill. It's usually a reddish color. I've used these pads on corner spots on old cars where it's hard to reach otherwise. It will remove paint & primer without removing metal. It pretty much just polishes it. I don't even try to smooth rough finishes on new cast iron Lodge pans, I just re-season them. Sanding WILL smooth out new cast iron finishes, but that is too much work for me! Ha Ha! God Bless. Bob

 

[Bumpy.Lemon99]

NO -NO! I don't use an abrasive disc/sandpaper. . I use what looks like a small round Scotch Bite pad on a cordless drill. It's usually a reddish color. I've used these pads on corner spots on old cars where it's hard to reach otherwise. It will remove paint & primer without removing metal. It pretty much just polishes it. I don't even try to smooth rough finishes on new cast iron Lodge pans, I just re-season them. Sanding WILL smooth out new cast iron finishes, but that is too much work for me! Ha Ha! God Bless. Bob

My apologies for the misunderstanding! I understand you're referring to a non-woven surface conditioning disc, not a sanding pad. You're right that a product like a Scotch Brite disc is much safer for the original finish of the iron. They're excellent for stripping old seasoning and rust without running the risk of changing the pan's texture. Thanks for indicating the distinction in the tool you were recommending.

 

[BigBob75]

My apologies for the misunderstanding! I understand you're referring to a non-woven surface conditioning disc, not a sanding pad. You're right that a product like a Scotch Brite disc is much safer for the original finish of the iron. They're excellent for stripping old seasoning and rust without running the risk of changing the pan's texture. Thanks for indicating the distinction in the tool you were recommending.

Not a problem. I guess I should have used the term round Scotch Brite pad in my first statement. All is well. God Bless.