cast iron pans

frankie1star

My pans are two casseroles different sizes are twenty fours years old. I noticed this week that the lining seems a little rusty. Does it mean that this is end of their life? If so what do I do with them do I just put them in the bin? I know they don't owe me anything but they have been part of my life! Sad I know, seen me through engagement, marriage, birth of two children, death, divorce and re-generation. I am being silly and too sentimental if I have to do the inevitable?

annie-c

They might make nice plant pots in the garden - maybe in someone else's garden if not yours. You could offer them on www.freecycle.org

frankie1star

thats a good idea

annie-c

Would make a lovely herb garden....

vij

you can get great replacements in aldis atm 14.99 for huge and 10.99 fr medium. They are dark aluminum ones and might make nice future kitchen companions ???????????????

conradmum

I don't think I would throw them just because they're getting a bit rusty. As long as you give them a good clean and they're kept dry I doubt very much would get into your food. I remember reading years ago that cast iron pans were good for vegetarians because some of the the iron gets into the food, so I don't think it's harmful.

frankie1star

I do use them for long cooking at times though, so health issues advice would be good if I do continue to use them

odds-n-sods

Just use a metal scrubbie - wet - to scrub the rust off. Then dry them by putting on the stove and turning that burner on until they smoke and all the water has evaporated, then leave them there to cool. Once they are coolish(but not completely cold), rub on a little veg oil to thinly cover the surface so they can't oxidize again. Do this every time you wash them. And they won't rust again.

soappie

From what I can find out, it's OK to use them for cooking (the temperature of the oven will kill off any bugs) but don't use them for storing food in the fridge - apparently little bugs like the rusty areas and will happily multiply in them.

odds-n-sods

the rust will leach off into the food and potentially discolour it, so I wouldn't use them again until you've gotten the rust off.

Magentasue

I got a couple from the dump that are now in regular use. I had to brillo pad them and dry them several times which made them look awful. However, after a couple of oilings and drying in the oven, they looked better and after a bit of use they look fine and are practically non stick.