Don't worry, your pan isn't ruined just because it has developed a little rust.
With some white vinegar and a bit of loving care, it can be as good as new.
Rust and frying pans don't go well together. So it's not unusual to panic a little if you one day notice your favorite pan covered in rust!
Fortunately, it's easy to remove rust spots from iron pans / carbon steel pans - and your pan will perform just as well (if not better) once you've followed this guide.
It takes a bit more than just soap and a sponge when removing rust. But with a few good tips, you'll be equipped to both remove rust and ensure that it doesn't happen again.
Why does my pan rust?
Unlike frying pans made of stainless steel, iron pans will rust if left in a humid environment for a long time. This is due to the alloy in iron pans / carbon steel pans, which consists of 99% iron and 1% carbon. The iron in the frying pan can oxidize - and the product of this reaction is what appears as rust on the pan.
The good news is that as an owner of an iron pan or carbon steel pan, you only need to worry about rust if you leave the frying pan in a humid environment for an extended period. For example, if the pan sits soaking in the sink (which we do NOT recommend). In fact, rust often develops after cleaning.
To prevent and avoid rust, we strongly recommend that you follow these steps every time you've used water to clean your iron pan:
- Dry the frying pan with a kitchen towel
- Place the frying pan on the stove
- Set the stove to low heat until all water has evaporated
- Apply a thin layer of oil with a high smoke point to the inside of the pan (e.g., grapeseed oil)
- Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down
- Wipe away any excess oil from the pan
A protective layer of oil can make all the difference when it comes to rust.
If you live in a particularly humid area or use your iron pan frequently outdoors, there is an increased risk of rust development due to moisture in the air. In that case, you should be extra thorough in following our tips in this guide - and pay attention to oiling both the inside and outside of the pan when you season it.
If your pan already has rust, keep reading - help is on the way!
How to Remove Rust from Your Frying Pan
There are several methods you can use to remove rust from your carbon steel or iron pan. Here are our three favourites:
The Salt Method:
The mildest method. Here you use coarse salt and a little oil to scrub the rust off the pan. The method is really good for removing smaller rust spots.
- Add coarse salt and a little cooking oil on top of the rust spot
- Scrub the salt and oil into the rust spot in circular motions with a piece of paper towel or a soft cloth until the rust is completely gone
- Season your iron pan with oil in the process called "seasoning"
The Scrubbing Method:
In this method, you should use either a rough scrubbing sponge, steel wool, or similar to scrub the rust off the pan. It's a super easy and effective method that's really good for removing rust from both the inside and outside of the pan.
- Scrub the rust spot in small circular motions with steel wool or a rough scrubbing sponge
- Rinse the pan in hot water and soap (repeat step 1 if there is still rust)
- Give your iron pan a new layer of seasoning by burning it in with oil
Once you've scrubbed and cleaned the frying pan, make sure it's completely dry before you put it back in your kitchen cabinet.
The Vinegar Method:
If your iron pan has developed a lot of rust, this method is your salvation. Note that it is extremely important that you give your pan a new layer of seasoning, i.e., burn it in with oil, after you've cleaned it with vinegar. This is because vinegar removes the natural protection and non-stick properties that have built up on the pan.
- Put equal parts water and white vinegar in the pan and place it over medium heat on the stove
- Pour out the mixture
- Scrub the pan with hot water and soap
- Give your iron pan a new layer of seasoning by burning it in with a thin layer of oil
Why You Should Season Your Iron Pan with Oil After Removing Rust
When you remove rust from the surface of your frying pan, you will also remove some of the protective oil layer, which is what protects against future rust and gives the pan its natural non-stick properties.
Therefore, it is extremely important that you rebuild the pan's natural non-stick properties and protection. We've written a guide on how to do it - but in broad strokes, it's about applying a thin layer of oil to the pan and burning it in, which hardens the oil.
See our video guide below:
If you're looking for a new iron pan / carbon steel pan, then check out our frying pans here
