How to reseason cast iron

Tons of great videos on u-tube giving step by step instructions. Just pick one that suits your needs since there are several ways to go about it.

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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.

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I've got a large jambalaya pot to reseason. Can I just do it using the burner outside rather than in the oven?

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Yes. There are videos to see how.

I do it this way........
Two cans cheap shorting...A couple of T-Shirts tied to a stick...constant swabbing.

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LSU Tiger Bob

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Perfect.

Please don't use the fire method unless you don't care about the piece. Cracking and warping are very real concerns.

I use lye.

Here's 2 I finished restoring last night:

They went in the mail today to friends. The big block logo in the back is from the '30's. The other, sometime between' 40 and '56.

Here’s a better question. Can you pay someone to do this for you and how much does it run?

I've used the oven method several times. Best to do it in the winter since it gets pretty hot even though you only let it go for about an hour.

To season, I set the oven for about 230, heat the skillet on the stove, rub in some oil, and bake it in the oven, upside down for about 20 minutes, then cut the oven off and let it cool slowly. If you have stripped it all the way down, you will need to do this several times. Cooking in it helps too. Maybe fry some burgers or bacon, or cook hashbrowns.