How to clean rust off carbon steel cookware?

Carbon steel woks and pans have long been known as workhorses of professional kitchens. In recent years, carbon steel pans and woks have found a fan base in household kitchens all over the world. However, there is one major problem that causes household cooks to abandon carbon steel cookware and keeps it from being adopted more widely in everyday kitchens. This major problem is RUST FORMATION on carbon steel. This article is all about rust formation on carbon steel and how to clean rust off carbon steel quickly and effectively.

CARBON STEEL RUST

Does carbon steel rust?

• Water
• Humidity
• Oxidation
• Food residue
• Salt – in the atmosphere or from leftover seasoning process
• Open atmosphere – tropical climate and high humidity
• Pollutants
• Corrosive agents – vinegar, salt, and other acids.

Why does carbon steel rust?

Is rust bad for carbon steel? How does rust affect carbon steel cookware?

CLEAN RUST OFF CARBON STEEL WOKS AND PANS

How to clean rust off carbon steel wok and pan?

• An abrasive scrubber- Strong cleaning pads to scrub and lift the rust out of the carbon steel cookware.
• A scouring cleaning agent- liquid or powder – to work along with the scrub to lift and clean the surface of the carbon steel cookware

Cleaning items to clean rust off carbon steel cookware

1. Cleaning pads to scrub and clean rust from carbon steel cookware:

• Strong Brillo pads
• Steel wool

2. Cleaning agents to lift and remove rust from carbon steel cookware

• Cleaning cream like Jif
• Scouring powder like Bar Keepers Friend
• Vinegar
• Salt
• A paste made of lemon juice and salt

HOW TO KEEP CARBON STEEL PANS FROM RUSTING?

If your carbon steel pans or woks have rusted, then first get the rust off from carbon steel woks or pans, and then they need to be re-seasoned well after removing rust from their surface.

RESEASONING CARBON STEEL COOKWARE AFTER REMOVING RUST

How to season carbon steel cookware after removing rust from it

The Stovetop method:

1. Pour oil into the cold carbon steel cookware.
2. Spread the oil over the whole interior surface of the carbon steel wok, pan, or baking tin. Cover the exterior surface if rust was found and cleaned from the outside.
3. Place the carbon steel cookware over moderate heat on the stovetop. Heat it till the oil smokes.
4. Switch the flame or heat source off and let the cookware cool down.
5. Once cooled, wipe any excess oil from its surface and it’s ready to be stored till the next use.

The Oven Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Pour oil into a cold carbon steel wok or pan.
3. Spread the oil over the whole interior surface of the carbon steel wok, pan, or baking tin. Cover the exterior surface if rust was found and cleaned from the outside.
4. Place the carbon steel cookware in the oven for an hour.
5. After one hour, switch the oven off. Let the cookware cool down in the oven.
6. Once cooled, wipe any excess oil from its surface and it’s ready to be stored till the next use.

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PRICELESS TIPS TO PREVENT RUST FROM FORMING ON CARBON STEEL COOKWARE

1. After cooking and cleaning carbon steel cookware, place it over a heated burner so that all the moisture evaporates. Once switched off, let it be on the burner till the heat dissipates. This will prevent rust from forming.
2. An effective way to prevent rust from forming on carbon steel cookware is to store your carbon steel cookware in large paper bags, when not in use.
   This method is great for anyone living in tropical climates where humidity is high or for those living near the beach where the salt content in the air is high.
   This method also prevents your carbon steel cookware from getting sticky, collecting dust or trapping little insects.
3. Never rely on drying your carbon steel pans with only a kitchen towel or paper towels. Wiping your carbon steel (or cast iron cookware) with a kitchen towel or paper towels won’t get rid of all the moisture from it. Moisture residue will still be present on it. To get rid of all the moisture, follow the first tip and heat the carbon steel pan till the moisture evaporates from the pan.
4. Seasoning carbon steel cookware with a protective layer of polymerization helps prevent rust. This layer of polymerization creates an almost solid barrier between the surface of the carbon steel cookware and the atmosphere the pan lives in.
5. Carbon steel cookware and dishwashers are not friends. Never place carbon steel cookware in the dishwasher because the washing process along with the dishwasher cleaning tablets can cause rust formation on their surface.
6. Use a natural scrubbing brush and water to scrub away food from carbon steel. Then wipe the water from it and place on a heat burner till all the moisture disappears. Coat the pan with oil and store till next use.

Conclusion:

1. When not in use, store your carbon steel pots, woks and pans in large paper bags. This will prevent rust from forming and will also prevent it from becoming sticky and collecting dust and little insects.
2. Moisture and salt left on carbon steel can rust your carbon steel.
3. After washing, only wiping carbon steel cookware with kitchen towels will not dry your carbon steel cookware. Carbon steel cookware needs heat to get rid of all the moisture residue from it.
4. Seasoning the carbon steel pan well with oil prevents rust from forming on its surface.

References:

• Characterization of Rust Formed on Structural Carbon and Weathering Steels Exposed to Tropical Climate of Thailand
  by Klomjit, Pitichon; Omoda, Matsataka; Mizuno, Daisuke; Ishikawa, Nobuyuki; Palsson, Namurata; et al., August 2019.
• Well-equipped: Cookware: Pots & Pans by Dan Bendall, Oct 2001.
• The cooking pot dilemma: stainless looks good, but copper is healthier by Wendy Priesnitz, Natural Life, September-October 2001.
• Getting the Most From Your Wok, New York Times, Sep 24, 2010.
• Housewares Training Manual, Laura Gorman, Gourmet Retailer, Feb. 2002.
• Help!: We challenge the experts to solve your culinary crises by de Peyer, Emily, The Guardian, 05 Nov 2003.