Cast-iron cookware has been used for centuries in order to provide a cooking vessel that can withstand higher temperatures and create superior tasting dishes. However, as people began to replace these pans with newer and more modern cookware, they began to lose out on some of the benefits that cast-iron offers.
However, there are home remedies to undertake and refurbish cast iron cookware can as it ages. You might want to recondition it to cook with it or you might want to know how to recondition cast iron cookware for display purposes. Vintage collections of cast iron cookware look fantastic when in good condition. Fortunately, there is an easy way to do this process.
Before we start with the reconditioning process, here's a bunch of essentials you need to have at hand.
Moving on, there are two separate methods to follow if you wish to complete the reconditioning process of your cast iron cookware.
- Remove the old seasoning
- Re-season the cookware for future use
Let's start with the first part of the process, i.e., removing the old season coating.
1. Remove the old seasoning
To remove the old seasoning, first, you need to coat the cast iron item in the oven cleaner. Make sure you use gloves while executing this step. Once you've done the coating, let it rest for a few days to ensure the old seasoning is entirely and properly removed.
Then, wipe off the cleaner, add another coating, and leave it stationary for two more days.
After waiting for the appropriate amount of time, use white paper towels to eradicate the old seasoning and wash the cast iron piece in hot water. Next, you need to concoct a solution of hot water and white distilled vinegar in a 2:1 ratio, i.e., two parts water to one part vinegar. Soak the pan in the solution for between 30 and 60 minutes.
This will soften the surface and make it easier to remove rust. After soaking you will need to rub away any surface rust using steel wool then wash with hot water and detergent.
2. Re-season the cast iron piece
Now that the old seasoning is removed, it is time to re-season your cast iron.
Place the pan into a 250-degree oven for 15 minutes. Then turn the temperature to 500 degrees and leave it to heat for a further 45 minutes.
Once this is done, allow your cast iron to cool and then coat it with lard. Ta-da! Your cast-iron piece now looks as good as new and ready to hold your sumptuous dishes!