Prep first
Before you start
- Wipe off loose flakes with a dry cloth before you try anything wet.
- Pretest any rust remover on a hidden spot: dampen it, wait a few minutes, rinse, and check for color change.
- Wear heavy-duty rubber gloves for any commercial remover, and rinse it off thoroughly.
Rust on cast iron is iron oxide, the orange flakes or dull reddish film that shows up after a pan has sat damp or been left to air dry. Iron in household water is a common source. Small spots need only scouring and a thin coat of oil, while larger rust areas need a full re-seasoning in the oven.
The fastest way to remove rust from cast iron is a firm scrub on dry spots before anything else touches the pan. Cast iron skillets, griddles and grill grates all respond to that same scrub, so start small before you reach for a remover. If you do use a rust remover, rinse and dry the pan right away and never leave cast iron to soak.
Before you start
What cast iron can take
Safe to use2
- Hot water
- Heat, once the stain is out
Use with care3
- Water
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Soaking
6 items
What you'll need
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- Steel wool or a rust eraser padScrubs rust off the iron before you re-season it. (opens Amazon)
- Warm water and a small amount of dish soapClears away rust dust and loose flakes without stripping the seasoning.
- Paper towels or a lint-free clothDries the pan completely so no moisture is left to start new rust. (opens Amazon)
- Cooking oilA thin coat that becomes the new seasoning layer.
- Aluminum foilCatches drips on the bottom rack during the bake.
- Heavy-duty rubber glovesProtect your hands if you use a commercial rust remover. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Scrub off the rust
Work steel wool or a rust eraser pad over the rusty sections until the orange is gone. Scrubbing can take some seasoning with it, which is fine because you're rebuilding it anyway.
Careful. Save steel wool for rust removal; don't use it for everyday cleaning.
Step 2 of 7
Wash with warm, soapy water
Wash the whole pan in warm, soapy water to clear away the rust dust and loose flakes. Use only a small amount of soap, because a lot can strip the seasoning you're trying to rebuild.
Step 3 of 7A few minutes
Dry the pan completely
Dry the skillet with paper towel or a lint-free cloth, then set it on the stovetop on low heat for a few minutes. Make sure it's completely dry, since any moisture left on the iron starts new rust.
Step 4 of 7
Oil the pan thinly
Wipe a very thin layer of cooking oil over the entire surface, inside and out. You want just enough to coat the iron, not enough to drip or run when you tilt the pan.
Careful. Too much oil can cause a grease fire in the oven, so turn on the range hood or open a window first.
Step 5 of 71 hour
Bake the pan upside down
Preheat the oven to 450 to 500 degrees F and set aluminum foil on the bottom rack to catch excess oil. Place the pan upside down on the center rack and bake it for 1 hour.
Step 6 of 7
Let it cool in the oven
Turn off the heat and leave the pan in the oven to cool, so the seasoning cures and bonds to the iron. Wait until it's cool enough to handle before you take it out.
Careful. Don't rinse a hot pan under cold water; it can warp or crack.
Step 7 of 7
Repeat the bake if sticky
If the pan feels sticky or gummy once it's cool, put it back in the oven for another hour. Keep repeating until the stickiness is gone.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for rust on cast iron
A commercial rust remover is the product type to reach for on stubborn rust, but use one exactly as its label directs. Wear heavy-duty rubber gloves whenever you handle it.
Lodge Rust Eraser
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on cast iron, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The rust is gone when the metal looks even and dark, with no orange left anywhere on the surface. The pan should feel smooth rather than gritty, and once the bake is done it should be dry and no longer sticky.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your cast iron
Skillets and frying pans
A skillet follows the steps as written, scrubbing the cooking surface and the handle with the same pad. Give extra attention to the inside corners, where rust tends to hide.
Dry it on the stovetop until no moisture is left, then oil and bake it as usual. Nothing about the oven cycle changes for a skillet.
Pots and baking pans
A deep pot or baking pan usually won't sit upside down on the rack without tipping. Set it right side up on the center rack instead, and wipe out any oil that pools in the bottom so it doesn't turn sticky.
Lids and handles are part of the job too, so scrub and oil them the same way. Keep the foil on the bottom rack to catch drips from either one.
Griddles, woks and grill grates
Griddles and grill grates have wide surfaces and open gaps, so work in sections and run the pad along the bars. Wipe the full surface thinly, since oil that pools in the grate gaps can go sticky.
Woks are the one to watch: dry the curved bottom and sides well, since any moisture left in the curve will rust. For grill grates, bake in sections if the whole grate won't fit the oven rack.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
Rust that has been sitting for years often needs more than a single scrub. Work harder with the steel wool or rust eraser pad, then run through the steps once more.
Stubborn rust that survives the scrub calls for a commercial rust remover, used exactly as its label directs and with heavy-duty rubber gloves on. Rinse thoroughly before you dry and re-season the pan.
If rust still shows after one round, repeat the treatment, since rust that has been there for years can take more than one pass. Expect a heavy-rust pan to need a couple of rounds rather than one.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on rust on cast iron?
Plenty of home remedies float around for rust, but many were built for fabric or other surfaces. Only a few of these options suit cast iron, and the rest aren't worth the risk.
Helps1Skip6
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use chlorine bleach on rust
Chlorine bleach is an oxidizer made at an alkaline pH, so it oxidizes the iron further and makes the rust worse. Never mix bleach with a rust remover, vinegar or any other acid, because the combination can release toxic gas.
Don't soak the pan in water
Water left on iron causes rust, so a soak in the sink undoes the scrubbing. Air drying and the dishwasher do the same, since the dishwasher strips the seasoning and leaves bare iron behind.
Don't use a remover on enamel
Enameled cast iron has a glassy coating, and commercial rust removers can ruin that finish. On enamel, use only warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
When to call a professional
Very rusted pieces may need sandblasting to loosen all the rust, which is more than a kitchen fix. If the pan is deeply pitted or the rust won't come off after a couple of rounds, a metal refinishing shop can take it on.
Questions
Can you remove rust from cast iron?
Yes. Scrub off the rust with steel wool or a rust eraser pad, wash, dry completely, then oil and bake the pan to re-season it. Most rusty pans come back to a usable surface this way.
What causes rust spots on cast iron?
Rust forms when bare iron is left with moisture on it, such as water left in the pan or a pan that sits damp in a cabinet. Iron in household water or rust shed from a washer drum can also leave orange stains on nearby cookware.
How is rust different from cooking stains?
Rust is iron oxide, so it's orange or reddish and can flake, while cooking residue is greasy and darkens the surface. If the spot is reddish or flaky, treat it with the steps here; if it's a dark sticky film, the oven cycle is what fixes it.
Can I use a rust eraser pad or salt instead of steel wool?
Yes. A rust eraser pad replaces steel wool in the first step. For a small rust patch, scrubbing with a cloth and some salt can also lift it.
How long does the oven step take?
Bake the pan upside down at 450 to 500 degrees F for 1 hour, then leave it to cool in the oven. If it still feels sticky when it's cool, bake it for another hour.
Can I still cook in a pan after removing rust?
Yes, as long as it's dry and no longer sticky after the final bake. Dry it right away after each wash, since moisture is what brings rust back.
Rust on other materials
Other stains on cast iron
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.