Old Cast Iron pots...what is the best way to clean them?

scour it with steel wool and reseason

I had two rusted antique cast iron pots which I cleaned up with a wire brush wheel on an electric grinder. Then I reseasoned them.

The end result was great.

I buy and restore old cast iron pots pretty often. I've done many old Griswold and Wagner pans over the years. I just finished 3 skillets and a dutch oven last week.

I typically use a self cleaning oven and burn off the carbon and original seasoning. Simply place the pots upside down on the rack closest to the heat source and let it do its thing. This will create smoke and odor so open the windows. Another word of caution, not all pots are equal. The Wagner and Griswold pots were superb and I'd have no reservations using the self cleaning oven on them. Some lesser quality items or severely rusted pans may crack under the extreme heat.

The pots will emerge with a rusty brown crust on them. I will gently rinse off the loose crust and after drying I will then use either a bench grinder or electric drill fitted with a brass or steel brush to work off the rest.

Once the pots are stripped to bare metal I re-season them. My preference is a very light coat of canola oil or shortening and then place in a 450 degree oven for 1-2 hours. I generally repeat this cycle 2-3 times before using the pots or selling them.

Hope this helps...

fry some fish

ah okay. thanks for clarifying. haven't clean mine in years.

A bonfire is the best way. I have a big outdoor fireplace and I will toss them in it and build a fire all weekend.

As far as soap that is a myth. I've gor a bunch of them and vie used soap from time to time and it doesn't bother them. Just wipe clean, dry well and preseason.

I've got a bunch of the old Wagners and man they are good.

You are splitting hairs chief. By reseaon after every use I mean I wipe with a small amount of oil. I'm not scrubbing to bare metal.

And I watched my hundred year log grandmother do it and only magic came out of her pots.

I typically use a self cleaning oven and burn off the carbon and original seasoning. Simply place the pots upside down on the rack closest to the heat source and let it do its thing. This will create smoke and odor so open the windows. Another word of caution, not all pots are equal. The Wagner and Griswold pots were superb and I'd have no reservations using the self cleaning oven on them. Some lesser quality items or severely rusted pans may crack under the extreme heat.

The pots will emerge with a rusty brown crust on them. I will gently rinse off the loose crust and after drying I will then use either a bench grinder or electric drill fitted with a brass or steel brush to work off the rest.

Once the pots are stripped to bare metal I re-season them. My preference is a very light coat of canola oil or shortening and then place in a 450 degree oven for 1-2 hours. I generally repeat this cycle 2-3 times before using the pots or selling them.

Hope this helps...

I just put them on a fish fryer and burn the hell out of them...outside. Then scrb, oil, and heat again. Fry something first and it's good to go.