Go to HobbyFarms.com and search > cleaning cast iron.... they will give you several methods of cleaning your old cast iron... and will give you the how to.. on how to re-season it too (you WILL need to do this, before cooking in it again)
I used the self-cleaning oven method (the oven needed cleaning any way)
And I did the re-seasoning on my cast iron pots/pans 4 times and used Crisco shortening (45 min at 375 degrees) I found that any of the oils I used left the surface of the pans with a sticky feel.
Once your pans are clean and seasoned, there are a couple of tips for living with cast iron.
1. Never store food in your cast iron... the moisture makes it rust.
2. Never soak your cast iron by leaving it sit in the sink..... rust again
3. Avoid using soap when you wash cast iron, as it can remove the seasoning
A stiff dish brush and very hot tap water will clean the cast iron quite well
4. Dry your cast iron with a towel and sit it in a warm oven or on the stove top,
with the burner on low, for a few minutes to dry the pan completely.
5. Give your cast iron pans a very light coat of Crisco (about 1/2 tsp) inside and
outside using a scrap of paper towel.... then wipe off most of that with another
paper towel, before you store your pans... your pan is ready for you to cook
in the next time.
6. If you stack your cast iron to store it.... put something between the pans... a
large paper towel will do.
Some of my cast iron, belonged to my Grandmother... and I am still using it today.
We used to take sand and scrub them real well. Then rinse thoroughly and wash with warm soap and water. You will need to season it again by wiping grease or lard on the inside with a paper towel all over the inside. Then put it in a 250 F degree oven for about an hour. Once it is clean and seasoned, just wipe it out after use. Do not wash it.
recently moved in my b/f's grandmothers house after she passed away it was left to him and has never been painted and has years of grease and grime on everything
Go to HobbyFarms.com and search > cleaning cast iron.... they will give you several methods of cleaning your old cast iron... and will give you the how to.. on how to re-season it too (you WILL need to do this, before cooking in it again)
I used the self-cleaning oven method (the oven needed cleaning any way)
And I did the re-seasoning on my cast iron pots/pans 4 times and used Crisco shortening (45 min at 375 degrees) I found that any of the oils I used left the surface of the pans with a sticky feel.
Once your pans are clean and seasoned, there are a couple of tips for living with cast iron.
1. Never store food in your cast iron... the moisture makes it rust.
2. Never soak your cast iron by leaving it sit in the sink..... rust again
3. Avoid using soap when you wash cast iron, as it can remove the seasoning
A stiff dish brush and very hot tap water will clean the cast iron quite well
4. Dry your cast iron with a towel and sit it in a warm oven or on the stove top,
with the burner on low, for a few minutes to dry the pan completely.
5. Give your cast iron pans a very light coat of Crisco (about 1/2 tsp) inside and
outside using a scrap of paper towel.... then wipe off most of that with another
paper towel, before you store your pans... your pan is ready for you to cook
in the next time.
6. If you stack your cast iron to store it.... put something between the pans... a
large paper towel will do.
Some of my cast iron, belonged to my Grandmother... and I am still using it today.
Scrub with copper scrubber. This is what is recommended by the manufacture of one of the brands. You can also use table salt.
We used to take sand and scrub them real well. Then rinse thoroughly and wash with warm soap and water. You will need to season it again by wiping grease or lard on the inside with a paper towel all over the inside. Then put it in a 250 F degree oven for about an hour. Once it is clean and seasoned, just wipe it out after use. Do not wash it.
Here are a couple links for you. Cast iron and enameled cast iron are my favorites!
https://www.cooksillustrated.com/articles/381-how-to-clean-a-cast-iron-pan
http://www.lodgemfg.com/use-and-care/cast-iron-lets-cook
burn it in a fire for a little while, should come off. then clean well and reseason skillet.
http://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/cast-iron-skillets/how-to-clean-rusty-cast-iron-pans-23562937
How to Clean Rusty Cast Iron Pans