My cast iron is rusting

[DisneyJules]

Hello, I'm hoping someone with more experience than myself can help me out! My mom bought me a really beautiful cast iron pot from IKEA, it IS enameled so I figured I didn't have to worry about curing it. However, I finally moved out on my own and decided to use it for the very first time. Unfortunately, when I lifted the lid off, I realized there was rust all the way around the rim of the lid and the rim of the pot I'm not sure why this is, as it was stored in a dry, safe place. Or maybe that's the problem? I'm not sure what to do now, I was so looking forward to using it, as my mom has had one for years and years and I know how great they are. I asked her and she said she's never had that problem before. Is there a way to fix it or is it finished? I also have the matching frying pan. My sister has one as well, she says it came with "curing" instructions but mine came with none. That one as well is enameled.
I would appreciate any words of advice.
Thanks!

 

[Lanshark]

I have a cast iron fry pan that I have to cure and an enameled dutch oven that I've never done anything to. I know to cure the fry pan I clean it well and wipe some Crisco on it with a paper towel. I then bake it in the oven at a pretty high heat for at least 30 minutes.

Personally, I'd look it up on the net to see if there is a problem. I'd probably clean the rim well and then wipe the rim with Crisco. If you put it in the oven I wouldn't put the heat too high and I'd probably put some water in the pan itself so not to damage the enamel. I wouldn't worry too much about it

 

[SueM in MN]

I have lots of cast iron enamed pans. A small area of the rim is not enameled. That is normal and that little bit of un-enameled pan is not protected.

As the other poster mentioned, clean the rim well and then treat it with Crisco. Put it in a hot oven to cure and dry it. Doing that once should do the trick as long as you treat it well after that.
In order to prevent rust, you have to make sure that it is very dry before putting it away in the future. Also, store it with the cover off. The cover traps moisture, which leads to rust. Some people actually dry their cast iron in a warm oven. That helps to get rid of moisture so it is totally dry before it's put away.

 

[dnoyes]

I collect old Griswold cast iron, in fact I'm a Griswold. Anyway I use Pam cooking spray on all my cast iron. Just spray it on and wipe it down and it will store for years. Give it a try it's easy and you never have to deal with rust when your ready to use them.

 

[qtwns]

I collect old Griswold cast iron, in fact I'm a Griswold. Anyway I use Pam cooking spray on all my cast iron. Just spray it on and wipe it down and it will store for years. Give it a try it's easy and you never have to deal with rust when your ready to use them.

Thanks for the tip! I love my cast iron skillets. There have been times I've neglected them and have had to re-cure them. The one I use the most is beautifully seasoned and is now treated like a baby.

 

[Michelle67]

I always wipe mine down with an oiled paper towel before storing them. I also usually leave them on the burner (still warm) or stick them in a warm oven after cleaning them.

 

[teacups]

How do you get rid of the rust once you have it though?
I must admit, I too have rusty pots and pans I have a nice amount that my dad keeps giving me as gifts. Well, finally took them all camping... and I blame hubby for them rusting! (easier than dealing with the rust.) He hasnt been able to get rid of the rust.

 

[Papa Deuce]

How do you get rid of the rust once you have it though?
I must admit, I too have rusty pots and pans I have a nice amount that my dad keeps giving me as gifts. Well, finally took them all camping... and I blame hubby for them rusting! (easier than dealing with the rust.) He hasnt been able to get rid of the rust.

To Renew a Rusted Pan:
Depending on the pan's size, pour 2 to 4 tbsp. salt into the middle of the pan. Add an equal amount of vegetable oil.

Step 2 Scrub the pan vigorously with a folded paper towel, concentrating on the rusted spots but covering all surfaces with the oil and salt mixture. Add more salt or oil as needed.

Step 3 For more serious rust spots, scrub with fine steel wool.

Step 4 Wash the pan with dishwashing liquid and rinse well with hot water. Dry completely.

Seasoning the pan

Step 1 A well-seasoned cast-iron pan will resist rust and create a virtually nonstick surface for cooking. To season it, brush vegetable oil lightly over all its surfaces.

Step 2 Heat the pan in an oven at 250°F (120°C) for 1 hour, recoating it with more oil after 30 minutes
.
Step 3 Wipe the pan well with paper towels, and let it cool completely before using it.

Step 4 To preserve this natural, protective coating, do not use soap when cleaning a seasoned pan. Instead, scrub it with salt and oil, rinse it with hot water, then dry it completely over low heat before storing it.

 

[teacups]

To Renew a Rusted Pan:
Depending on the pan's size, pour 2 to 4 tbsp. salt into the middle of the pan. Add an equal amount of vegetable oil.

Step 2 Scrub the pan vigorously with a folded paper towel, concentrating on the rusted spots but covering all surfaces with the oil and salt mixture. Add more salt or oil as needed.

Step 3 For more serious rust spots, scrub with fine steel wool.

Step 4 Wash the pan with dishwashing liquid and rinse well with hot water. Dry completely.

Seasoning the pan

Step 1 A well-seasoned cast-iron pan will resist rust and create a virtually nonstick surface for cooking. To season it, brush vegetable oil lightly over all its surfaces.

Step 2 Heat the pan in an oven at 250°F (120°C) for 1 hour, recoating it with more oil after 30 minutes
.
Step 3 Wipe the pan well with paper towels, and let it cool completely before using it.

Step 4 To preserve this natural, protective coating, do not use soap when cleaning a seasoned pan. Instead, scrub it with salt and oil, rinse it with hot water, then dry it completely over low heat before storing it.

Oh Thank You! I'll pass this on to hubby!

 

[sha_lyn]

How do you get rid of the rust once you have it though?
I must admit, I too have rusty pots and pans I have a nice amount that my dad keeps giving me as gifts. Well, finally took them all camping... and I blame hubby for them rusting! (easier than dealing with the rust.) He hasnt been able to get rid of the rust.

If your oven has a cleaning cycle, run the pans through that,
then start with step 4 in PD's cleaning instructions, using a scrubby to help remove the rust.

Then follow his seasoning instructions.