Asked on Dec 20, 2016

What to do about this old pan?

Sarit N.
by Sarit N.
We have this old dairy non-stick pan that's gotten scratched up over the years. I'm not sure what happened to it, but it's actually sweating rust. (it's so gross, you can see it in the picture). Anyone know of a way I can clean it and stop the rust? If not, does anyone have a good idea of what I can do with it; I don't like throwing out pans.
  44 answers
  • Shirley Shirley on Dec 20, 2016

    Make a planter out of it, the rust is good for plants

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 20, 2016

    Try soaking it with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Make a paster and rub on the pan letting it sit on overnight then wash with soap and water.

  • Johnchip Johnchip on Dec 20, 2016

    Line it with aluminum foil to use or put it inthe garden shed.

  • Idak Idak on Dec 21, 2016

    Sand it out, making it as smooth as possible. Make sure it is thoroughly dried out, using a fan if necessary. Wipe out debris, thoroughly, and spray paint with one of the Rustoleum brand paints compatable with the original product.

  • GBK GBK on Dec 21, 2016

    Take it down the rest of the way with a sander, to fresh metal, and season it like a cast iron pan, in the oven, with cooking oil.

  • Sdb15384449 Sdb15384449 on Dec 21, 2016

    Sand it, spray paint it, hang it on the wall (bottom side facing out), use it as a magnetic bulletin board.

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Dec 21, 2016

    Not sure what a dairy pan is, but in my house that pan would be thrown out. The damage is so severe I doubt it can be salvaged unless you have chickens or some small animal that eats dry food; even so, I'd never let my pets eat out of a container such as this. Trash it, buy a new pan...think stainless steel, not nonstick.

  • Joni Joni on Dec 21, 2016

    I had the pans and did what she said but all I have now is the same set of dirty looking pans and less baking soda and Hydrogen peroxide. This is a no go as far as I am concerned.

  • Ann Ann on Dec 21, 2016

    Get a new pan, repurpose this one for the yard. It would be serviceable as a succulent planter with the right materials for draining and rooting. Add some interesting rocks and a mix of textured succulents and you have a portable design element. OR, use it as a form to make cement stepping stones. Put a layer of pebbles in a design in the bottom of the pan then cover with cement. IF you have kids around, let them make it into a fairy garden. I see possibilities, but not as a baking pan anymore.

  • Iberkeley Iberkeley on Dec 21, 2016

    Planter: paint the outside, drill holes in the bottom for drainage and plant with shallow rooted plants - succulents come to mind.

  • Liz Liz on Dec 21, 2016

    If you want to give an old pan a rustic, primitive, farm house look, paint the inside & outside with Mod Podge or inexpensive school glue. Sprinkle & press the very cheapest coffee, regular or instant on to the wet glue. (Do one side at a time & let dry.) Paint with school glue again and press on more coffee until the pan is covered. You can also dust this with inexpensive Dollar Tree cinnamon. When it's dry, (after a couple of days), spray both sides with a clear spray to seal it. Check Pinterest and you'll see pans, candles, and old trays done this way. I've painted over some of the finished items with acrylic paints in rustic colors. These look so rustic, rusty and old in our mountain house. It's lots of fun to do. (Tip: You can also dry used coffee grounds by spreading them out on a cookie sheet in a warm oven & save money by re-cycling your old coffee grounds.) I've used the pans to hold candles, pine cones, etc. for a rustic centerpiece. This glue/dry coffee technique will also work on glass bottles, and empty cans.

  • Sandy Macdonald-Dixon Sandy Macdonald-Dixon on Dec 21, 2016

    toss it. It's had it's day and cooking with it would be possibly unhealthy.


  • Touchedpainter Touchedpainter on Dec 21, 2016

    You said it is a non-stick, use it to store things or under a plant. It has turned toxic. Food should not be touching it anymore. All that has been chipped off you have been eating in your food & that is a carcinogen. Just clean it with a rust killer & spray with Rustolium.

  • Jan W Jan W on Dec 22, 2016

    I use them to soak potted plants in. I'm a gardening addict

  • Karen Walker Karen Walker on Dec 22, 2016

    I say sand it, paint it with RUSTOLEUM paint in a color of your choice. Then you can hang it on the wall, get some cute magnets and use it for a note holder in the kitch or home office. Another idea is to paint it and then distress it. Place it on a table with some rustic items such as old keys, old hankies, brooches or such for a conversation piece. I see so much potential!

  • Sharon Huneycutt Harris Sharon Huneycutt Harris on Dec 22, 2016

    You could use it as a mold. Make small garden stones or plaques with cement and use the pan as the mold to make the squares.

  • Mar7419110 Mar7419110 on Dec 23, 2016

    RUST PAN

  • Mar7419110 Mar7419110 on Dec 23, 2016

    I would use a wire brush on it to get the rust off and paint with rust proof paint= then use as a planter as suggested or storage bin for gardening.

  • Shirley Kalinosky Shirley Kalinosky on Dec 23, 2016

    I use mine as a holder of things under our kitchen sink. It's the right size to fit under thee and I only have to clean it out a couple times a year.

  • Sue Kiene Sue Kiene on Dec 23, 2016

    It is pretty obvious what happened to it. The coating that was on the metal was cut thru by a metal knife etc. This allowed water and moisture to infiltrate the metal so you got rust. Additional scrubbing the pan took more of the coating off. I do not know of anything to correct it but you could paint it on the outside pretty and use it for organizing in your bathroom or for plants for watering or just about anything in your household.

  • TMP TMP on Dec 23, 2016

    You can sand it and then paint it with any spray paint to turn it into a magnetic board, or sand it and paint it with chalkboard paint to make a message center. Make a chalk holder with a small box or container and add a magnet to the back.

  • Pam Walker Pam Walker on Dec 23, 2016

    3 IDEAS: 1. PAINT - Start out by priming it with Rustoleum primer. Paint it whatever color suits your fancy. In the bottom, glue in a piece of wood. Use it for a server tray. 2. Use it for a mold for making stepping stones for your yard. It won't matter if the rust is there because that part will be placed into the ground once it's unmolded. 3. Prime it & Paint it & glue a picture down in the bottom & use it as a picture frame & hang it on the kitchen wall. It's a pan & will fit the ""kitchen"" theme for any kitchen. You could even put magnets on the back & hang it on the frig with your family portrait in it. GOOD LUCK

  • Ellen Ellen on Dec 24, 2016

    NEVER USE AGAIN TO COOK IN! However, you could sand the pan, wipe with damp cloth and allow to dry. Use Rustoleum primer and paint inside and outside. Allow to dry. Choose any color of Rustoleum paint 2 shades: 1 darker %the inside or outside and a lighter shade for the other side. Once dry you can use to hold countertop items nice and tidy in the kitchen, or near an entry way for keys, etc. Also it could corral kids toys, school supplies like crayons, etc or you could use it to hold craft supplies while you work or even use it as a serving tray to bring snacks into another room (if a drink spills the sides keep it contained.

  • Connie Connie on Dec 24, 2016

    i like your idea!!!

  • Rita Stein Schwartz Rita Stein Schwartz on Dec 24, 2016

    You could get rid of the rust, paint the whole thing (inside and out) then put ceramic tiles on the bottom and use it as a tray.

  • Kim Salmi Kim Salmi on Dec 24, 2016

    I love the idea shared above of painting it and using it to frame a picture ....would be adorable in a kitchen : ) ....I personally think it's beyond serving as a cooking pan myself ...but upcycling is a a great idea ....I hate wasting items myself : )

  • Dave Dave on Dec 25, 2016

    You can use it as a parts pan in the garage or use it to sort nails and hardware. I use them under my 1938 Chevy in case I get a leak when it is in storage.

  • Gloria Morgan Mote Gloria Morgan Mote on Dec 26, 2016

    Good grief, trash it.

  • Colleen Baugus Colleen Baugus on Dec 26, 2016

    I WOULD CLEAN IT UP SHABBY SHEEK IT AND USE IT FOR A ICE TEA TRAY


  • Dow8712203 Dow8712203 on Dec 26, 2016

    I had an old frying pan in the same shape. I removed the handle, turned it upsidedown in my flower bed & used it as a base on which to set my ceramic decor.

  • Sheila D Sheila D on Dec 27, 2016

    Paint either as "shabby" or fancy as you like, then add an enlarged old handwritten recipe and hang in kitchen

  • Das7935133 Das7935133 on Dec 27, 2016

    I have one my mother had for fifty years, a wedding present, it now sits above my cabinet as part of my family history decor. Each piece tells a story, I think about them every time I look up.

    .

  • Sandra Sandra on Dec 27, 2016

    Throw that thing out!

  • Lana Kregerova Lana Kregerova on Dec 30, 2016

    Drill a few small holes in it sand rust off use rust preventing spray paint in a pretty color and you have a cute planter to put out front




  • Sheila D Sheila D on Dec 31, 2016

    and to expand on Lana's idea - drill holes with a name or initial the length of the pan and insert mini lights

  • Annie Doherty Annie Doherty on Jan 02, 2017

    I too would use it as a planter after drilling a few holes and maybe using for herbs??

  • Mikki Mikki on Jan 03, 2017

    Paint the inside bottom with chalkboard paint and hang as a message board in your kitchen. Or paint the inside any fun color , glue the lids of baby food jars to inside and hang upside down underneath a cupboard for spices, storage, etc. (Fill the jars and screw into the lids)

  • Karol Tarkowski Karol Tarkowski on Jan 04, 2017

    once the non-stick surface is scratched toxic fumes are emitted, DO NOT cook with it!!!!

  • Virginia Virginia on Jan 04, 2017

    Paint it a fun color put family last name initial on it and display it'll be beautiful in any part of home mainly the kitchen

  • Karen Karen on Jan 10, 2017

    Paint it and use magnets on it for an instant picture frame. It is easy to change the pictures. If you have kids or grandkids, display their art work on it.

  • Linda Linda on Jan 14, 2017

    Toss it, not a good idea to keep using it for food cooking. Make it into wall art or something if you absolutely have to keep it, but I would get rid of it.

  • Rungnapha Ph. St Rungnapha Ph. St on Jan 15, 2017

    Paint and use as planter for succulent plant of dinning / kitchen area. Use a cool different shape & color of rock cover the soil.

  • Angy Angy on Jan 31, 2017

    Per this website: use Coke and tin foil to scrub after letting it set for a few minutes in the Coke.

  • Dianna Locke Dianna Locke on Jul 28, 2019

    MAKE A FAIRY GARDEN