The first step to bringing that cast iron skillet back to life is the vinegar soak.
My ceramic cast iron skillet is rusting.
Mix 50 vinegar with 50 water and soak your pan in this mixture for one to eight hours.
Don t let the pan air dry.
While a little bit of soap is fine you should avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning your cast iron skillet even if it is rusty.
Then use a rag to scour away the rusty spots.
With a good sprucing up using this five step method you can salvage your skillet and get back to cooking.
The vinegar soak is the tried and true method for cast iron skillets that have intense and what appears to be irreversible rust damage.
Since cast iron is so vulnerable to rust it s best to limit your pan s exposure to water as much as possible.
Never soak the pan.
Let it sit for at least an hour but no.
Keep the following tips in mind.
Look at that entire skillet.
Unlike non stick pans cast iron was meant to last forever even when rust takes hold.
You can also use a paste of salt and water to scrub away the rust.
Just stick to baking soda a towel and only if necessary use mild dish soap.
Want to avoid a having a rusted cast iron skillet in the first place.
If the skillet has a thick layer of rust and very little visible black iron soak the pan in a 50 50 solution of white vinegar and water in a plugged sink.
For those of you with a rusty skillet lodge cast iron recommends a good scrub wash dry oil and bake.