Cast Iron Pans
Ruth Sanford
ruth.sanford@comcast.net
10/21/04 		My Mom lent her cast iron pans to my brother and his new wife washed and scrubbed them. Now they have lost a coatig and are rusting what can she do to fix this are they savable??
Ruth Sanford
ruth.sanford@comcast.net
10/21/04 		My Mom lent her cast iron pans to my brother and his new wife washed and scrubbed them. Now they have lost a coatig and are rusting what can she do to fix this are they savable??
Harry
htthames@bellsouth.net
10/21/04 		The way I curently re-condition cast iron pots is to use a solid shortening (Crisco or a cheap shortening), lightly coat the outside and coat the inside a little heavier. Completely coat the inside and outside. Put it in a 250° to 300° F oven with a pan underneath (to catch any drippings) and leave it for at least 4 hours. Keep the door closed and after 4 hours turn the heat off and leave it in the oven until it cools. Take it out and wash it in mild soapy water and dry immediately. It may take several times to cure the pots but it is worth it. You can wash a cast iron pot but never leave them in soapy water and don't scrub them with scouring pads inside or outside. Use soft cloths or a sponge.

Now when I was younger I used to build a large oak fire outside, grease all the pots, throw them in the fire and stroke it to really get iot going. I'd leave them in the fire until the next morning before I'd take them out, wash them and they were ready for use.

ellen

10/22/04 		Cast iron is always worth rescue. Scrub off the rust with very fine steel wool before reseasoning. You can even blast off built up crud with a blowtorch. Harry's method works fine. You can do it several nights in a row and give back to your mom in ready condition for her Thanksgiving gravy. While you are at it, season a second set and give your sister-in-law her own set! She shouldn't have to have borrowed them.