How to clean rust from a cast iron skillet: the "helper" is in almost every kitchen

Cast iron cookware is famous for its ability to produce truly delicious dishes, and it's also extremely durable – it can last for decades. But this kitchen workhorse has one unpleasant drawback: it can easily accumulate rust if not cleaned properly.

If this happens to your frying pan, don't be too quick to throw it away. You can clean off the rust with a fairly simple life hack. All you have to do afterward is to switch to proper care of cast iron cookware. OBOZ.UA tells you more about it.

First, let's remember what rust is. In essence, it is iron oxide, a compound of iron and oxygen molecules that can be formed under the influence of water and other factors. To remove it, use ordinary aluminum foil. When it comes into contact with the rust, an electron exchange occurs, causing the aluminum to lose electrons and the rust to gain them, which converts the oxide back to metal, essentially removing the rust that has built up on your cast iron pots and pans.

To use the power of foil properly, prepare a roll of foil, mild dishwashing detergent, warm water, a sponge or cloth, and a little oil. And, of course, the dirty pan. The next step is as follows:

• Tear off a piece of aluminum foil large enough to place over the rusted area in the pan.
• Gently moisten the aluminum foil with warm water. It should be damp, not wet.
• Clean rusty spots on the cast iron pan with the damp foil. Press the pan lightly in a circular motion. The aluminum foil acts as a mild cleaning agent that helps loosen and remove rust without damaging the surface of the pan.
• Wash the pan thoroughly with warm water to rinse away any rust particles and foil residue. Dry the pan completely with a towel.
• Apply a thin layer of regular vegetable oil or a special cast iron protector to the entire pan – inside, outside, and even the handle. Wipe off the excess oil with a paper towel and place the pan in a hot oven for an hour.

That's it, your cast iron skillet is clean, protected, and ready to use. But now it's important to store it properly. Keep the item in a dry place to prevent rust from building up again. Never wash it until it squeaks and always wipe it dry after washing.

If you have rust on your other cookware, you're probably wondering if you can use foil to clean nonstick or steel pots and pans. The short answer is yes, but be careful with non-stick or Teflon pots because aluminum foil can scratch their coating.

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