What can I do with a set of three iron skillets?

Lisa Duerlinger
by Lisa Duerlinger
I have three Rusty, weathered small iron skillets that next in each other. I don't know how to clean them up. Are iron skillets dangerous to cook with? What about decorating ideas?
  9 answers
  • Lavonne Chase Lavonne Chase on May 01, 2018

    No, they aren’t dangerous.,but don’t know about rust, maybe sos pads. Grease

    bottoms of skillets and bake 1 hr. At 325 degrees.

  • Sharon Sharon on May 01, 2018

    Cast iron pans need to be seasoned. To get any rust off you can use coarse salt to rub it off, and I've used one of those spiral metal scrubbies. Dry on the stove with heat, then put stove on 200 degrees, and drop some pats of lard, salt pork fat, even bacon fat into them and put in the oven, after it melts use a paper towel to get it all over the inside, add more fat if needed, and let it cook in the oven at least an hour, periodically put more fat in and get it all over the insides. When you clean, you wipe it clean, and can rinse under water but no soap. Then always add a bit of fat to the inside. Don't use cooking oil, leaves a scum and attracts dust and bugs.

    Cast iron pans are good for you as it gives you trace bits of iron to your diet.

  • Andra Andra on May 01, 2018

    There are some amazing (serious and silly) yard art work options for your skillets. If you can get a sturdy pipe or piece of rebar, you can adhere the pans and make a Snow IronMan!

    Because I'm a dork (:D), I made this image to show what I mean.

  • Snoia Snoia on May 01, 2018

    Just use some steel wool until the metal is smooth again. Iron pots/pans need to be "seasoned" to keep them from rusting. When new, or once they are used, clean them with detergent and a plastic scouring pad, rinse with clean water then heat them on the stove for a minute or so to drive the remaining water off of them. Allow pot/pan to cool almost completely. Place a nickel to quarter-sized drop of oil ( I use Canola) into the pot/pan and spread it around the inside with a paper towel until the whole inside shines. Your paper will get a little black from the iron; that is okay. If you leave too much oil in the pot/pan, the oil will turn rancid and smell. Iron skillets are great to cook in. They will add a little bit of iron into your diet, especially if you heat an acidic meal in them like tomatoes. I try to cook an acidic meal in them about once a month. I don't leave it in the pot more than one night. I had 5 children. When I was pregnant my iron levels were always perfect approx. two days after eating a meal made in an iron pot. I also occasionally would cook eggs or French toast in them. Don't overdo it if you are taking an iron supplement.

  • I just scrub mine with wire wool and then dry them on the stove over the heat. Then I get a little cooking oil on paper towel and oil them until I need to use them again. Put them in the saucepan drawer. I bought mine in 1983 and still love them. But mine have wooden handles.

  • Lisa Duerlinger Lisa Duerlinger on May 02, 2018

    Thank you everyone!

  • Bycjeanmaq Bycjeanmaq on May 06, 2018

    As for a decorating idea you can spray the inside with chalkboard paint and display them on a wall in your kitchen with slogans (i.e. Eat, Pray, Love), etc. Perfect for a farmhouse feel.

  • B. Enne B. Enne on May 06, 2018

    Good suggestions above

    Cooking in iron can be dangerous IF you have too much iron in your blood. Most women have low iron levels. If in doubt, use only occasionally, or have your levels checked.

    I was told by my doctor, to use it because I am anemic.

    BTW, it is not recommended to use iron cookware on glass/ceramic or induction stove tops, because it can damage those surfaces.