Restoring Cast Iron Pans

Kathy R
by Kathy R
You Can Restore Old, Crusty Cast Iron Pans There’s nothing quite so beautiful as the blackened, shiny patina of a well-seasoned cast iron pan. There are a few specific rules in keeping your pans in pristine condition. If you do, they’ll reward you with good service for many, many years
I have collected cast iron pans from Estate and yard sales. I'm not put off by rusty, crusty appearances because I know, they can be restored.
This is the only time you should wash your cast iron with hot, soapy water - when you're preparing them to be cleaned.
place your cast iron in your oven on the 'clean' setting for two hours. The built up residue will cook off. Clean off with hot water and dry thoroughly.
I've decided to use the seasoning method that recommends Flaxseed Oil. The method recommends seasoning the pan in a hot oven for about an hour or two and to repeat this process a number of times. The Flaxseed Oil creates a polymerized bond with the cast iron pan.
The top three brands that collectors desire include - Griswold, Wagner and Erie. Lodge makes a very wonderful cast iron pan too.
The most common size in cast iron pan is the eight. The sizes can range from 0 to 20!
I love collecting and using cast iron pans. If cared for properly, they will reward you with good service for years to come.
Kathy R
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  3 questions
  • Sam Sam on Jul 26, 2016
    Hello so let me get this straight 1) wash cast iron pan in soapy water 2) place in over on clean cycle for 1h 3) wash again in soapy water 4) coat with oil is this method correct?
  • Ann Powers Goetzman Ann Powers Goetzman on May 02, 2018

    Our home flooded and by the time we dug the pots out they were rusted Do I follow same rules for rusted


  • Barbara Barbara on May 09, 2020

    I have cast iron pans that have built up on the outside of them. Does anyone know how I can clean that off. It looks like they were cleaned on the inside of the pans but not the outsides of them. Help!!!

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  • James smith James smith on Sep 24, 2016
    My mom did hers out side on dad's bbq pit bild a good fire coat cast iron with lard cook about a hour then put a big spoon full in the pot let them cook for a nother hour let cool wipe out with a clean towel
  • Nellie Nellie on Oct 23, 2016
    It works in gas barbecue . same time and washing.
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