How to Remove Rust from Your Cast Iron Without Damaging the Pan
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We’ve all had that moment: you pull out your favorite cast iron skillet and see a patch of rust staring back at you. It’s frustrating — especially if you’ve worked hard to build that perfect seasoning. But here’s the good news: rust doesn’t mean your pan is ruined.
In most cases, you can bring your cast iron back to life without damaging it — even if it has some pitting. Here's how to do it right.
🧼 Step 1: Assess the Damage
First, figure out what kind of rust you’re dealing with.
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Surface rust looks like a thin, orange or reddish layer. It’s usually shallow and easy to remove.
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Pitting happens when rust eats slightly into the surface, leaving small dark craters or rough patches.
Both can be fixed — they just require slightly different approaches.
🧽 Step 2: Scrub It Down
You’ll need:
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Coarse salt (we use our own cleaning salt blend for this)
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A scrub pad, cloth, or steel wool (for tougher spots)
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A small splash of warm water
What to do:
Sprinkle salt into the pan, add a bit of water, and scrub in small circles. For pitted areas, spend a little extra time working the salt in to lift rust from the recesses. If needed, use steel wool or a soft wire brush — just avoid going overboard.
🕳️ What to Do If Your Pan Has Pitting
Pitting looks bad, but it’s not a death sentence for your pan.
Here’s how to handle it:
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Clean it thoroughly: Get all rust out of the pits using coarse salt, steel wool, or a wire brush.
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Smooth it out (optional): If the pitting feels sharp or jagged, lightly buff it with fine sandpaper or a metal brush. You’re not trying to make it perfect — just stable.
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Season more than once: Do 2–3 rounds of seasoning after removing the rust to help rebuild a smoother, protective layer.
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Cook with it often: The more you use your pan — especially with fatty foods — the better it will perform. With time, those pits will fill in and darken as the seasoning builds up.
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid acidic or sticky foods (like tomato sauce or scrambled eggs) until your seasoning is fully restored.
🔥 Step 3: Dry It Completely
Water is what got you into this mess, so don’t let it hang around.
After scrubbing, rinse and immediately dry the pan with a towel. Then set it over low heat on the stove for a few minutes to evaporate any leftover moisture.
🛢️ Step 4: Reseason the Pan
Now that the rust is gone and your pan is dry, it’s time to bring it back to life.
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Rub a very thin coat of oil (like flaxseed, grapeseed, or our seasoning oil) all over the pan — inside, outside, handle, the works.
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Wipe off any excess. The surface should look slightly shiny, not greasy.
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Place it upside down in a 450°F oven for 1 hour (use foil or a sheet underneath to catch drips).
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Let it cool in the oven. Repeat if needed — especially for pitted pans.
👏 Don’t Panic — Just Restore
A little rust or pitting doesn’t mean your cast iron is done for. With the right care and a bit of patience, you can bring it back stronger than ever. It’s one of the reasons we love cast iron — it’s built to last, even when things go sideways.
At Skalecki’s Iron and Salt Co., we make tools to help you get there — like our coarse cleaning salt and seasoning oil designed specifically for cast iron care.