Cast iron utensils are very popular among the population due to their durability, natural non-stick properties and ability to retain heat. However, cast iron has several drawbacks. Unlike modern teflon-coated aluminum counterparts, the cast-iron pan rusts. What to do in case of such a nuisance? Polishing with a soft abrasive removes rust, and firing - to create a protective coating.
Abrasive washcloth
Cast-iron pan rusts inside, what to do? You can try to correct the situation with a small washcloth, for the manufacture of which steel or copper wire was used. Non-metallic abrasive products will not be superfluous . If you can’t deal with rust the first time, you should add water and a mild dishwashing detergent, and then try rubbing the pan again.
Many housewives begin to worry if a cast-iron frying pan rusts. What to do? Why can’t you use conventional cleaning products for other household items made from other metals? The reason lies in the fact that such actions can destroy the surface protective layer, the formation of which took far more than one year. The presence of rust indicates that the integrity of this coating has already been violated, and only appropriate firing can restore it.
Baking soda
Cast-iron frying pan rusts - what to do? In the event of thin rust of a light shade, you can seek help from a mild abrasive product available in every kitchen - baking soda.
The procedure is as follows: the cleaning agent must be mixed with a small amount of water to obtain a thick mass, and then take a rag and carefully rub the places where rust has formed. Several similar procedures should lead to the desired result.
Salt
How to remove rust from a cast iron pan? The combination of salt and water is another good option for preparing an abrasive mixture. The essence of this method is almost completely analogous to the previous one: salt mixed with water is rubbed into each area affected by rust.
Salt is slightly larger and harder than baking soda, therefore, the rigidity of the resulting paste also increases.
How to eliminate old rust?
If simple abrasive products cannot cope with rust, use harsh chemical cleaners for help. Their composition usually includes hydrochloric acid, which is able to turn rust into wet powder.
Important! HCl is a strong acid, so use it with extreme caution to avoid chemical burns. To protect exposed areas of the body, it is recommended to use: gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, and safety glasses. Work only in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing vapor. Exposure to strong acids is especially dangerous for a person suffering from any kind of pulmonary disease or bronchial asthma.
About the rules for the care of a cast-iron pan
Very often, women are faced with the fact that a cast-iron frying pan rusts. The reasons for this are non-compliance with basic rules of care.
There are many microscopic pores on the surface of this kitchen appliance, which are caused by air bubbles that form when the cast iron cools. This is the most vulnerable spot of any cast-iron skillet, therefore, if the surface is not coated with grease, the appearance of rust is guaranteed.
You can correct the situation with ordinary vegetable oil and high temperatures. Strong heating will lead to carbonization and the formation of a hard protective coating that will not allow the burning of food and the appearance of rust, and will also eliminate the need to constantly clean the pan.
You just need to grease the surface with vegetable oil, and then place the pan in the oven for at least 1 hour. The temperature regime is at least 180 degrees.
So, why does a cast-iron frying pan rust? Because the protective coating has deteriorated. After restoration procedures, it is not recommended to use fats, which include salt (butter, lard or margarine). Naturally, to clean a cast-iron pan covered with a protective layer, do not use metal washcloths and abrasive cleaners.
The procedure for calcining a cast-iron pan
As a rule, cast-iron cookware is allowed for sale only if it has technical grease - this is done in order to maintain its presentation and to avoid corrosion. Therefore, before you start using it, you should thoroughly wash the product with some kind of detergent.
Cast-iron frying pan rusts - what to do? Immediately after the first wash you need to cover the bottom with sodium chloride and calcine on the stove or in the oven for at least 1 hour. Then the pan should be rinsed and thoroughly wiped. Before you cook any food in it, it is recommended to lubricate it with a layer of fat, which will not only serve as a natural non-stick coating, but also protect the dishes from the formation of corrosion.
According to experienced users, cast-iron frying pans should be lubricated with solid animal fat - fat or lard, as this allows you to create a more dense and smooth non-stick surface. To wash the dishes, you need to use only the manual method, hot water, and also avoid the presence of any aggressive detergent. To store cast-iron utensils, you need to choose a well-ventilated place, for example, an oven.
Rust Prevention and Long-Term Carbon Removal
Cast-iron frying pan rusts - what to do? Corrosion can be a signal that it is time to think about the non-stick layer (the method of its manufacture was described above). And so that the coating does not wash off too often, it is recommended to have several pans: for pancakes, for meat and fish, for fried eggs and vegetables.
Many families keep kitchen utensils from which their parents or even grandfathers ate, as this reminds them of a family holiday or the taste of a traditional favorite dish.
But often the inheritance goes not only to the dishes, but also to the traces of her “work experience”. And it happens that the pan, which is not so old, but often used, still does not undergo thorough washing. You can remove perennial soot from a cast-iron surface using one of the following methods:
- prolonged calcination in the oven until the soot begins to fall off from the touch of a knife;
- mechanical removal of the burnt layer with a metal brush, a drill with an appropriate nozzle or a grinding machine;
- the use of a chemical solution that softens the hardened fat "coat".
The procedures for removing perennial soot are best carried out on the street, as this causes such unpleasant phenomena as caustic smoke, dispersion of dry particles of soot, as well as hazardous fumes when the chemical solution is boiled.