How to reseason cast iron

There will be people along shortly that will tell you to toss it in a hot fire. That works, but I'll offer some suggestions.

A lye/water solution will soften and remove any cooked on organic material. Use gloves and eye protection.

A vinegar/water solution will help you brush away rust.

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Have a couple of skillets and 1 pot with a couple rust spots and what seems to be a sticky like film on them. I’m assuming it’s from a little too much oil still on the skillet and letting it sit. What’s the best way to clean these up?

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The "throw it in the fire" method is what great grandma used. It will work. However you run the risk of cracking the piece. I do not recommend this method if the pieces are old family heirlooms or are valuable pieces.

I have bought/sold and collected cast iron cook ware for years. I use the lye bath or electrolysis method (or both)for restoring. Both methods are explained on YouTube. The electrolysis method is over kill for just two or three pieces. The lye bath is simple and not expensive. You may want to look at the Easy Off Oven Cleaner method.....if the build up is not that bad.

A vinegar solution (water and vinegar) will remove rust if not to bad. Just don't use it for over 30 minutes at a time. Rinse and repeat as necessary to remove the rust.

Once clean....coat with a THIN coat of oil....almost any kind will work. I use mostly melted Crisco. It must be thin or other problems can be created. When you think it's thin enough...wipe it out one more time!

Put it in a 450*/500* oven for one hour or so. Turn the oven off and let it cool. Repeat as many times as you need to achieve the level of seasoning you need want/need.

Using the self cleaning setting on your stove works, but again there is a risk of damage to the oven. Fires have been reported with this method as well.


ETA: I just read over the thread again. As has been stated if you use the Lye Method proceed with caution. Lye will burn the skin and can cause blindness if you get it in the eye.. Always add the lye to water rather than water to the lye. The latter can cause 'splashing' of the lye onto the skin or into the eye

As mentioned a ton of YouTube videos on it. I’ve had to reseason a few times after being lazy.

When you do bake it, don’t add too much oil. I added way too much after a vigorous scrub and a lot dropped on the bottom of the oven. The long bake turned into lots of smoke and the house smelling bad.

Very simple. Scrub it, rub it with oil, and bake it. Better yet, bake it outside on the BBQ pit because baking it inside stinks up the whole house.

Yours may be beyond this but here’s a quick YouTube from a guy that looks like he can be trusted.