Questions for Cast iron people

[krisw]

Do any of y'all bake in cast iron? Like biscuits or pie? I make corn bread in some skillets.

And do you randomly put bacon grease on one and bake it to season it more? I fond myself doing this when I get bored.

What do you get the rust off of them with? I have a couple of camp pans that are in need of a rust removal and reseasoning. What do I need to use for getting the rust off?

[MTNshape]

Make cornbread in mine all the time. Clean it with some kosher salt and reseason the rusty ones.

[PEC]

After cleaning. Put in oven to dry it then wipe down with cooking oil.

[El Viejo]

If it's really badly rusted I've heard you can take a wire brush attachment on a drill and take it off. I need to do the same thing to an old Dutch Oven that had belonged to my dad.

[bsills]

Never tried it but an old timer told me to put a real rusty in a camp fire then clean it. Not sure why or if it works

[wassaw]

Never tried it but an old timer told me to put a real rusty in a camp fire then clean it. Not sure why or if it works

I also take a paper towel and wipe the inside (that still has some grease) then take that and wipe down the out sides

[krisw]

Never tried it but an old timer told me to put a real rusty in a camp fire then clean it. Not sure why or if it works

I tried this with one of the ones that needs cleaning. Maybe I need to try it again.

[tbeak]

i get rust in the Dutch that i make chili and soup in and i just wipe it with a paper towel (with oil) down before i use it and after i clean it.

[Shough]

You can clean them with any means necessary. Obviously the less you remove the easier it is to season but I have used an electric sander on bad ones until they are shiney. It takes several seasonings but then they are nice and black and very non-stick. I do try to oil them after cooking which seems to keep them seasoned my longer.

[Dale Moser]

Wear safetey glasses!

[Stoof]

I never touch mine with dish soap. Just scrub down with hot water and dry off. Keep your skillet and and greasy.
I have baked various breads, biscuits and cobblers in mine but never tried a pie.

[Buckshot4900]

I never touch mine with dish soap. Just scrub down with hot water and dry off. .

Coming from my old Gramaw, rinse with hot water and dry in the oven.
Never "wash" an iron skillet.

[El Viejo]

I never touch mine with dish soap. Just scrub down with hot water and dry off. Keep your skillet and and greasy.
I have baked various breads, biscuits and cobblers in mine but never tried a pie.

Excellent advice, and it's sometimes ignored by cast iron users. Dish soap will dissolve the oils that have built up during the seasoning process. Clean with hot water & dry it immediately.

[WCI]

Re-oil after use with some lard and the rust will stay at bay. If one gets away for you those scotch brite pads or the copper chore girl pads work great but stay away from the soap, a bit of water will get it done. Heat on stovetop or oven after cleaning to dry. The re-oil.. Good stuff and not too bad to maintain..

[TexAg2002]

the purpose of burning them in the fire is for ones that have grease or gunk and rust caked up on them. I had 2 that I found in a shed. Looked like they were caked up like an old engine block. threw them in the fireplace, sanded out the rust, and seasoned them. They look great now.