Cast iron frying pan ruined?

The_Laisy_Daisy

Hi looking for some advice please...

A few years ago, I got a gift of a sturdy cast iron frying pan as my cheapy non-stick one was well past it! I foolishly christened it by cooking fajitas in a tomato-based sauce and it appears the acid did something to the metal. The pan now has little rusty(?) patches all over it and it doesn't look safe to use!

Does anyone know how I can repair the pan so it is safe to use again please?

phill99

The_Laisy_Daisy wrote: »

Does anyone know how I can repair the pan so it is safe to use again please?

You can't.

System

You just need to clean it up and season it. It will then last you years.

See http://www.wikihow.com/Season-Cast-Iron-Cookware as one example of how to do it.

Gloomendoom

Just remove the rust.

A wire brush and emery cloth used wet will take the worst of it off. Then make up a solution of citric acid and pour into the pan and leave it to soak for three or four days, pour it out and rinse with clean water. If there is still rust present, repeat the process. If not, dry and season with clean cooking oil. It is important that you do this immediately or the pan will just go rusty again... fast.

Eliza_2

Brillo pad then season well with oil. Happens all the time, these pans are rocksolid and very hard to permanently kill!!

jbainbridge

Also oil it after use too - helps stop it going rusty.

Ectophile

Just give it a good wash and scrub to remove the rust, then dry it before it has a chance to go rusty again.

Then season it. Stick a bit of oil in. Put it on the stove to get it up to a nice high temperature, swirling the oil around so the whole of the pan is coated, then let it cool again. Once cool, remove the excess oil with kitchen paper.

Then avoid over-washing it with soap and water or you'll take the seasoning off.