Stripping Carbon Steel: Back To Basics

Carbon steel pans are a great addition to any kitchen, but they do require a little maintenance to keep them in top condition. If your pan is looking worse for wear, it might be time to give it a strip and re-season to restore its non-stick properties. This process will involve removing the old seasoning and any rust or residue, before re-seasoning the pan to create a new protective layer. There are a few methods to achieve this, including using an oven's cleaning cycle, or a chemical method with oven cleaner, but it's important to be cautious as some methods can be dangerous and may damage your pan.

How to strip a carbon steel pan

Use oven cleaner and a plastic bag

If you want to strip a carbon steel pan without using the oven's cleaning cycle, you can use oven cleaner and a plastic bag.

Firstly, get a can of oven cleaner. It is recommended to use a lye-based oven cleaner, such as yellow cap Easy Off. Then, put your pan in a garbage bag and spray it all over, making sure to cover the pan entirely. Close the bag and leave it somewhere warm for 24-48 hours. The oven cleaner will eat away at the seasoning on the pan.

After leaving the pan in the bag for a day or two, remove it from the bag and rinse it thoroughly. You can then begin scrubbing the pan with steel wire or wool. You may need to repeat the process of spraying the pan and leaving it in the bag for a while before scrubbing again. Use wool, sponges, or powders to scrub the pan.

Once you are happy that you have removed the seasoning, wash the pan thoroughly and dry it. You can then begin the process of re-seasoning your pan.

Scrub with steel wool

To strip a carbon steel pan, you can scrub it with steel wool. However, it is important to note that this method should not be used if the pan is rusty, as it will backfire and cause more rust. Instead, it is recommended to use a metal scouring pad made of stainless steel or copper along with hot water to remove rust.

If you are dealing with a sticky residue on your carbon steel pan, you can start by heating the pan until a drop of water evaporates instantly upon contact. Then, remove the pan from the heat and add a mixture of two parts salt to one part oil (for example, 2 tablespoons of salt and 1 tablespoon of oil). Using a paper towel or sponge, scrub this mixture all over the interior of the pan to exfoliate and remove the gunk. After that, rinse the pan with hot water and dry it thoroughly.

If your carbon steel pan has lost its non-stick surface due to cooking acidic foods, you don't need to strip it. Simply re-season the pan with your preferred method, and remember to give it a good swipe of fat or oil after each use. This will help restore the non-stick properties of the pan.

Now, if you are determined to use steel wool for stripping your carbon steel pan, here is a detailed guide:

First, create a paste by mixing baking soda and vinegar in the bottom of your pan. The amount of each ingredient will depend on the size of your pan, but a few tablespoons of each should be sufficient. Once you have a thick paste, use steel wool to vigorously scrub the mixture into all sides of the pan. Pay extra attention to the areas with stubborn residue or patina. You can also use a sponge or a scrubber along with the steel wool for better results.

If there is seasoning or any sticky residue on the handle of the pan, apply some vinegar to the steel wool and give it a good scrub. Ensure you cover all areas, including any crevices or hard-to-reach spots. After scrubbing, wash the pan with warm water and a mild dish soap. You can also use a specific cleaner designed for stainless steel, such as the Stainless Clad Cleaner mentioned in one source.

After washing, dry your pan thoroughly. It is crucial to ensure that the pan is completely dry before proceeding to the next step. You can use a paper towel or a lint-free cloth to wipe away any remaining water droplets. Additionally, you can place the pan on a stovetop burner or in the oven at a low temperature to evaporate any residual moisture.

Once your pan is dry, it's time to re-season it. Start by adding a small amount of seasoning wax, neutral oil, or grapeseed oil to the pan. Buff the oil into a thin layer that coats the interior and exterior of the pan, using a paper towel or a clean cloth. Remove any excess oil with another paper towel to ensure an even coating.

Finally, heat the pan on the stovetop over low heat and gradually increase the temperature to medium-high. When the pan starts to smoke, leave it on the heat for about two minutes. You can carefully rotate the pan over the burner to ensure that every corner gets seasoned evenly. After this process, turn off the heat and allow the pan to cool down completely. You will notice that the pan will change color and darken as it cools, indicating that the seasoning process is complete.

Use a lye bath

Using a lye bath is an effective way to strip a carbon steel pan. Lye, or sodium hydroxide, is a highly alkaline substance derived from wood ashes. It is often used in soap-making and is safe for cleaning carbon steel pans. It is important to note that lye is caustic and can cause skin burns and blindness if not handled properly. Therefore, it is crucial to take safety precautions such as wearing protective gear and adding lye to water, not the other way around, to avoid a thermal reaction.

To create a lye bath, use a sturdy container that can hold its volume in water and has a secure lid to keep out children and pets. The formula for the lye solution is one pound of 100% sodium hydroxide crystals per five gallons of water. Always add the lye to the water and be sure to wear protective clothing, including eye protection, as the mixture will splash. You can find 100% lye crystals in products like Rooto™ Household Drain Opener and Roebic™ Crystal Drain Opener, available at hardware stores.

Once your lye bath is ready, simply submerge your carbon steel pan in the solution. The warmer the solution is, the faster it will work, so placing it in a sunny spot is ideal. Depending on the thickness of the buildup on your pan, it may take a few days for the lye to soften and dissolve it. Be sure to rinse the pan thoroughly before proceeding to the next step.

After rinsing your pan, you will need to neutralise the residual lye solution to prevent skin irritation when handling the pan. You can do this by rinsing the pan with fresh water or using a dilute acid such as household vinegar. However, it is important to note that using vinegar to neutralise full-strength lye crystals can be dangerous as it creates a heat-generating reaction.

Finally, you can proceed with reseasoning your carbon steel pan. This process involves oxidising layers of oil onto the surface of the pan to create a protective, non-stick layer.

Electrolysis

To set up an electrolysis tank, you will need a plastic storage container large enough to hold at least eight gallons of water, and a car battery charger. You will also need a piece of iron or steel, which will serve as a "sacrificial anode". This is where the electrical current will flow from the pan being cleaned.

The water in the tank needs to be turned into an electrolyte, to make it more conductive. To do this, add 1-2 tablespoons of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda per gallon of water. This is sodium carbonate, and it is important not to confuse it with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

To connect the voltage source, remember that the black (negative) wire goes on the skillet. The red (positive) wire will go on the sacrificial anode. The battery charger must be manual or have a manual mode. An automatic charger will shut down when it detects the electrolysis tank as a charged battery.

For best results, ensure that the connectors make good electrical contact with the pan and the sacrificial metal. Use a wire brush to remove any rust or build-up at the connection spot. Poor connections will cause increased electrical resistance and excessive heat.

The electrolysis process will convert red rust (ferric oxide) into black rust (ferrous oxide). It will also coat and rot the sacrificial metal piece, so this will need to be replaced occasionally.

A byproduct of this process is the formation of flammable hydrogen gas, so ensure the area is well-ventilated.

The electrolysis cleaning works in a line-of-sight, so the side of the pan closest to the sacrificial metal will be cleaned first. You can turn the pan around during the process to ensure all areas are cleaned.

Visually, the build-up will loosen and peel off. The red rust will turn into a soft black residue that can be wiped or scrubbed off. The process is finished when the metal is bare and grey.

A hybrid electrolysis/lye method can also be used, which provides a "dual-action" clean and increases the life of the metal anode.

Use a wire brush

Using a wire brush is an effective way to strip a carbon steel pan, but it requires a lot of elbow grease and a lot of abrasives. It is important to note that you should not use a wire brush on a carbon steel pan if it has a coating on the handle, as this can introduce issues.

To use a wire brush effectively, start by spraying the pan with an oven cleaner and wrapping it in a plastic bag. Leave it aside for a night. Then, rinse the pan and scrub it with a wire brush. Repeat the process if necessary. After scrubbing, rinse the pan again and scrub it with steel wool, sponges, or powders to remove any remaining residue.

It is worth noting that some people have expressed concerns about using a wire brush on a drill for this process, as it may scratch the pan too much. However, others have achieved good results by soaking the pan in vinegar for a few hours and then using the wire brush on a drill to strip the pan down to bare metal.

When using a wire brush, it is important to be cautious and avoid scratching or scrubbing too hard, as this can damage the pan. Additionally, make sure to have proper ventilation when working with chemicals and always wear protective gear, such as gloves and eye protection.

Frequently asked questions