chipped inside coating cast iron pan

hannahsmamma

I have a cream coloured cast iron pan, coloured inside and outside. Some of the lining has chipped off exposing the bare black metal which is now rusty. Can I use the pan, rest of lining seems ok?
ps pan was put on heat empty.

Crinkmeister

I'd say no. All your food will taste irony.

Mojisola

We cooked for years with cast iron pans so I don't think the exposed metal would be a problem - I think the risk of more bits of enamel flaking off into your food would be more of a worry.

shammyjack

Bare cast iron or heavy plain steel ( not stainless ) pans are the way to go .

Just burn them in on a high heat and season with oil . If anything should stick just soak them then wipe clean never scour .

mandragora_2

For a 'straight' cast iron pan, what you need to do is season it, to make a good surface to cook on, easy to clean and with no rust - this is a good site with useful info:
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-season-a-cast-iron-skillet-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-107614
We have a great cast iron frying pan which was in dreadful condition when we got it from the tip, but once sanded down and seasoned, it's been fab.

However, your case is different in that the pan is enamel coated (removing the need for seasoning) but chipped, which is allowing rust build up and also making the cooking surface uneven. Personally, I wouldn't want to use it if the rust was going to come into contact with foodstuffs, and, as in the case of anything chipped, I'd also be concerned about microbes in the area where the cracks are - germs love a crevice to hide in! http://www.livestrong.com/article/554984-are-rusty-baking-pans-unhealthy/ Hope this helps.

paddyrg

All our Le Creuset set have chipped enamel and still work an absolute treat. Food tastes fine :-)