Cody Casey
Carbon steel pans are a great way to cook your food—they're hot enough to sear and light enough to manoeuvre with ease. However, they do have one flaw: they can rust. Rust can be unsightly, impact the flavour of food, and cause health issues if consumed. Luckily, there are several ways to remove rust from carbon steel pans, including the salt scrub, scouring, and vinegar methods. To prevent rust from forming, it's important to dry pans by hand or on a stove and coat them with a thin layer of oil.
Does carbon steel pan rust?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rust | Carbon steel pans may rust when left in a humid or moist environment for an extended period of time. |
| Cause | The presence of oxidizable iron in the alloy that forms carbon steel. |
| Prevention | Remove any traces of water from the cookware after use. Dry the pan by hand or on a stove on low heat. Lightly coat the pan with cooking oil to create a protective layer. |
| Rust removal | Use coarse salt and oil to scrub the pan. Use an abrasive scrubber, such as steel wool or sandpaper. Boil a mixture of vinegar and water in the pan, then scrub with soap and hot water. |
What You'll Learn
Why does carbon steel rust?
Carbon steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, with a carbon content that typically ranges between 0.05% to 2.1%. It is strong, tough, and resistant to deformation. However, one of its drawbacks is that it is susceptible to rusting.
The presence of iron in carbon steel is what makes it prone to rusting. When iron is exposed to oxygen, it undergoes oxidation, which changes its properties. The iron oxidises and turns into a reddish-brown metal called iron oxide, or rust. This process is accelerated in humid or moist environments, or when carbon steel is exposed to water for extended periods. Even small amounts of moisture, including moisture vapour in the air, can cause carbon steel to rust.
To prevent rust from forming, it is important to keep carbon steel items dry. This can be done by drying them by hand or placing them on a stove over low heat until all remaining water has evaporated. Lightly coating the item with a high smoke-point oil, such as flax seed oil, can also help protect it from rust.
If rust does develop, it can be removed using a variety of methods, including scrubbing with coarse salt and oil, using an abrasive scrubber, or boiling a mixture of vinegar and water in the item. After removing the rust, it is important to re-season carbon steel items to restore their protective coating.
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How to clean rust off a carbon steel pan
Don't panic! Your carbon steel pan is not ruined forever. Minor rusting on the exterior or interior surface of your pan can happen due to air drying or incomplete hand drying. Here are some ways to clean rust off a carbon steel pan:
Method 1: The Salt Scrub
This method is for minor rust. Simply pour a little coarse salt and oil onto the rust spot and scrub in a circular motion until the rust is removed. Wash, dry and re-season the pan.
Method 2: The Scour
This method is for minor to significant rust. Choose an abrasive scrubber that suits the amount and severity of rust. This can be an abrasive scouring pad, steel wool or sandpaper. Scrub in a circular motion until the rust is removed. Wash, dry and re-season the pan.
Method 3: The Vinegar Method
This method is for heavy interior rust. Bring equal parts water and vinegar to a boil over medium heat. Pour out the mixture and scrub the pan with soap and hot water. Dry and re-season the pan.
Preventing Rust
To prevent rust from forming, always dry your pan by hand or on a stove over low heat after use. Lightly coat the inside of the hot pan with a high smoke point oil to form a thin layer. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool. Wipe away any excess oil and store.
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The salt scrub method
To begin, simply pour some coarse salt onto the rust spot. Then, add a few drops of cooking oil, such as vegetable oil, to the salt. Using a soft cloth or paper towel, scrub the salt and oil into the rust using a small circular motion until the rust is removed.
Once the rust is gone, you can clean, dry, and store your pan if the rust was a minor issue. However, if more significant rust removal was required, it is recommended to re-season the pan after scrubbing. This will help restore the pan's non-stick coating and protect it from future rust.
To re-season the pan, first, wipe it down with a paper towel. Then, add a tablespoon of flaxseed oil, coating the entire pan, including the walls, sides, handle, and bottom. Use another paper towel to rub off any excess oil. Place the pan upside down in the oven and turn it on to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. Allow the pan to cool inside the oven, which should take about an hour. You can repeat this process up to three more times for a better seasoning.
By following the salt scrub method and re-seasoning your pan, you can effectively remove rust and restore your carbon steel pan to its former glory.
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The scouring method
Don't panic! Your carbon steel pan is not ruined. Minor rusting can happen due to air drying or incomplete hand drying. The good news is that it can be treated and your pan can be restored to its former glory.
This method is suitable for minor to significant rust. Choose an abrasive scrubber that suits the amount and severity of the rust. This could be a scouring pad, steel wool, an abrasive sponge, or even fine-grit sandpaper. Using a circular motion, scrub at the rust until it is removed. Then, wash, dry, and re-season the pan.
Remember, it is important to fully dry your carbon steel pan with a soft, dry cloth after removing the rust. If you have removed some of the seasoning, you might have to re-season the pan.
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How to prevent rust from forming
Carbon steel pans are a great addition to any kitchen, but they do require a little maintenance to keep them in top condition. Rust can form on carbon steel pans when they are left in a humid or moist environment for an extended period of time, so it's important to take some simple precautions to prevent this from happening. Here are some tips to keep your carbon steel pans rust-free:
Tip 1: Keep it Dry
After using your carbon steel pan, make sure to remove any traces of water. You can do this by drying the pan by hand with a paper towel or lint-free cloth, or by placing it on the stove over low heat until all the water has evaporated. It is important to ensure the pan is bone-dry before putting it away.
Tip 2: Season the Pan
Lightly coat the hot pan with a thin layer of cooking oil, such as flaxseed oil or another high smoke point oil. This protective coating can make a big difference in preventing rust. After applying the oil, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool. Then, wipe away any excess oil before storing the pan.
Tip 3: Avoid Soapy Water
Avoid using soap or long soaks in water when cleaning your carbon steel pan. Washing-up liquid and other detergents can contain acids that can damage the patina layer of the pan and cause rusting. Instead, clean the pan with warm water and a dish brush, and dry it thoroughly before storing.
Tip 4: Store in a Dry Place
Always store your carbon steel pan in a dry place. If you live in a humid area or plan to use your pan outdoors, you may need to take extra precautions to shield it from environmental moisture.
Tip 5: Don't Store Food in the Pan
Avoid storing food in your carbon steel pan for extended periods of time. Food can corrode the patina layer, leading to rust formation.
Tip 6: Re-season After Cleaning
If you do need to use harsher cleaning methods, such as scouring pads or steel wool, be sure to re-season the pan afterward. Removing rust and other residue can also remove the natural non-stick coating of the pan, so re-seasoning helps to restore its former glory.
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Frequently asked questions
Carbon steel pans may rust when left in a humid or moist environment for an extended period of time. This is due to the presence of oxidizable iron in the alloy that forms carbon steel.
To prevent rust from forming, ensure your pan is completely dry before storing it. You can achieve this by drying the pan by hand or placing it on a stove over low heat until all remaining water has evaporated. Lightly coat the inside of the hot pan with a high smoke point oil to form a thin layer, then remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool. Wipe away any excess oil before storing.
There are several methods to remove rust from carbon steel pans, including the salt scrub method, the scouring method, and the vinegar method. The salt scrub method involves using coarse salt and oil to scour surface rust from the pan, and is suitable for small to medium-sized rust spots. The scouring method uses a coarse scrubber, such as a scouring pad, abrasive sponge, or steel wool, to forcibly remove rust from the pan's surface. The vinegar method involves boiling equal parts water and vinegar in the pan, then scrubbing the pan with soap and hot water. All methods should be followed by re-seasoning the pan.
Cooking with a rusty carbon steel pan can cause health issues, particularly respiratory problems. In rare cases, even low levels of rust can produce severe effects, especially in individuals with hemochromatosis, a condition that causes internal organs to retain rust. Additionally, rust can impact the flavour of food, causing a metallic aftertaste.
