My Lodge cast iron pan is a DISASTER. Help....

Us out West wrote:
You know you can buy a new one for $20-29.

Just saying if you do not want to all all the trouble of referbrishing a 20 year old pan.

And throw away a perfectly good cast iron skillet :H

You know you can buy a new one for $20-29.

Just saying if you do not want to all all the trouble of referbrishing a 20 year old pan.

I would love to make an electrolysis setup, but never found the time.

I use the vinegar solution, just don't leave it in too long.

If the green scrubbie doesn't work, use a metal scrubbie. Don't use the brass ones as it will permanently discolor your skillet.

This will get rid of all the rust.

Equipment needed:

Portable 12 volt battery charger with alligator clips on it,

Electrolyte-The article suggested Sodium Carbonate (washing soda) and/or most powdered dishwasher detergent because they contain Sodium Carbonate.

Sacrificial anode-the article suggested a 12"piece of rebar. The article does not state if the anode is reusable. Any comments? (the anode may be reused until it is gone, that would be many uses)

Cathode- the tool to be cleaned

A plastic tub at least 4-5"deep.

The Process;

Do all of the following BEFORE plugging in the charger:

Set up the bath with enough ware to cover the tool and add 1 tablespoon of electrolyte for each gallon of water,

Must scrape/ sand a small section of the tool.You must have a clean attachment point for the negative clip,when the clip is connected submerge the tool in the bath,

Insert anode vertically , preferably in the corner of the tub so that the bottom of it is in the bath and the balance is above the surface.The positive lead should be attached above the waters surface,

The tool and anode should be placed at opposite ends of the tub so they will not touch one another.

NOW AND ONLY NOW you may plug in the charger:

After 24 hours the tool should be very clean,

Unplug charger, remove tool, clean tool with rag

I used this method on some an iron waffle iron with my name on it that had been on a fence in the backyard for fifteen years and was severely rusted. It came out perfectly clean.

The process uses the battery charger to reverse the oxidation process that creates rust.

All good advice: I would start with a lighter intervention such as that suggested by Old Buscuit using the vinegar/water solution and scrub pad. Then re-season with shortening and heat.

Sandblasting is a drastic intervention for heavily encrusted pieces, not rust.

My Grandpa would just rub some crisco oil on it and put the rusty cast iron pan in the campfire and cover it with a couple more logs. After the top logs burnt down he would use welders gloves to pull the pan out and then would knock the pan against a pole to knock off the rusty stuff. Then he would wait till it cooled, rub with salt to clean it , wipe with a damp paper towel, put it near the heat or in the oven to dry then rub with alot of crisco oil let sit overnite and then wipe it all down with a paper towel.. After that he says every time after u clean it to put a little oil on a paper towel and rub it over the pan after each use an he also sticks it into a warm oven. I guess the warm oven drys any leftover dampness.

use wax paper & crisco wipe out as much rust as possible w/ this then cover w/crisco again & put in low oven for hour or so wipe again it will return to like new after several times

I saw a Technic the other night that cleans better than sand blasting. it is like sand blasting but with dry ice. it doesn't pit as bad as sand does and then just put it in a oven to reseason it.

What I have found that works is submerging skillet in large container with half white vinegar and half water solution.
This will remove rust....keep checking progress each hour. Plastic scrub brush helps loosen stubborn rust. Use gloves

Then remove and rinse thoroughly under running water, wipe off with towel and then place in pre-heated oven (225*F) to dry
Any surface rust after drying can be removed using sandpaper (fine)
Wipe off with soft rag

Then season pan just like virgin cast iron

It'll be fine. I have rescued lots of those rustbuckets.

Try a green scrubbie and lots of water, first. That might be all you need. Once you get off everything that scrubs off, season it. The coating of oil will likely loosen some more rust bits and bring them to the surface -- then you repeat.

The only problem is if the pan is pitted beyond an acceptable level, on the interior bottom. Then you could try to sand it or something.

I'd be concerned that a wire brush would make scratches.