A cast iron is something we all have because it is such a good and trusty piece of cookware. However, it will eventually lose its shine if it is not properly cleaned and cared for. Losing its sheen will result in a lack of its super non-stick power. And that it’s what makes us love the cast iron skillet. Thus, if you want to bring back its luster by getting rid of the rusty appearance, keep on reading. In this article, you will learn how to clean a rusty cast iron skillet like a pro.

For this cleaning method, you will need the following:

– a steel wool
– some dish soap
– a scrubbing brush
– some paper towels
– cooking oil
– some aluminum foil

As you can see, cleaning your rusty cast iron skillet is not as complicated as it may sound. Here you have the instructions you need to follow and you will soon be a pro in cleaning it:

1. First off, you need to remove the rust.

For this, you should use the steel wool by rubbing the rusty areas of your cast iron skillet. Make sure you canvas all the rusty surfaces until you see the cast iron in its raw form.

2. Washing the skillet

This next step involves washing it using warm water and dish soap. Thus, fill the skillet with these two ingredients and then use the scrubbing brush to do bristle off the rusty areas. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes and then move on to the next step.

3. Drying the cast iron skillet

You can now dry the skillet thoroughly using your paper towels. It is best to do this immediately so there won’t be any streaks on the pan.

4. Season the skillet

Seasoning the cast iron is very important for its long life shelf. Thus, use your cooking oil of choice, I normally use vegetable oil and apply a small amount. Make sure you spread it all over the pan. Also, do not forget about the handle and the bottom of the cast iron. Do not go overboard with the cooking oil because you will end up having a sticky surface.

5. Heat it in the oven

Lastly, you should heat the cast iron in the oven by placing it upside down on the top rack of your oven. Then, make sure you add a sheet of aluminum foil on the bottom so it will catch any oil drips. Turn on your oven at 350°F and leave it for an hour. That’s it, your cast iron skillet will look new. Before using it, make sure your pan is completely cooled off.