I love cast iron. A rusty skillet isn’t ruined; it’s just waiting for a little attention.
Quick answer Scrub off the rust with steel wool, wash and dry it completely, then wipe on a very thin coat of cooking oil. Bake it upside down at 450–500°F for one hour, then let it cool in the oven. Repeat if it still looks dull.
Tools & materials
- Steel wool or a rust eraser
- Dish soap, warm water, stiff brush
- Vegetable oil, shortening or another high-smoke-point oil
- Lint-free cloth or paper towels
- Aluminum foil
Steps
- Scour all the rust off, inside and out, down to bare gray iron.
- Wash with warm soapy water and scrub. (Soap is fine on cast iron.)
- Dry it right away with a towel, then set it on a warm burner for a few minutes to drive off every bit of moisture.
- Rub a small amount of oil over every surface, including the handle and bottom. Then wipe it off as if you made a mistake. It should look barely shiny, not wet. Too much oil turns sticky.
- Put foil on the lower rack to catch drips. Set the pan upside down on the upper rack.
- Bake at 450–500°F for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and let the pan cool inside.
- Repeat 2–3 times for a fresh restoration. Then cook something fatty (bacon, cornbread) to build it up.
Safety: Seasoning at high heat can smoke. Run the vent fan and open a window.
Everyday care
Wash, dry right away, wipe on a whisper of oil while it’s warm, and store dry. Don’t soak it or put it in the dishwasher.
From https://www.djgaston.com/restore-and-season-cast-iron/ · Updated October 22, 2026