Cast iron was never my favorite cookware. I wanted it to be. The thought of cooking ham and eggs or bacon in a cast iron skillet just screamed classic mid-20th century and earlier American farmstead. But I could never seem to cook without my food sticking. I would wash the skillet with soapy water and wash the patina right off. I knew enough not to soak it in water or it would rust, but I wasn’t educated enough to know that you don’t use soap on a seasoned cast iron piece so I just kept washing the patina off, cooking, getting food stuck. It was a vicious cycle. I have since learned how to properly care for my cast iron and I love cooking with it. I have a great patina on it and very seldom do I have a problem with something sticking. But the thought of salvaging rusted pieces never occurred to me. Cleaning off a small spot of rust on your own piece is one thing, but what about cleaning up a piece that is covered in a lot of rust? Thanks to Common Sense Homesteading I believe I will start looking for more rusty pieces to salvage rather than more expensive pieces that are in “ready to go” condition. If you have a rusty piece of cast iron cookware or you’d like to get some unloved, rusty, “trash” pieces to clean up then check them out. This is a great walk through on cleaning up and salvaging those pieces. Have a great day and God bless!
About Brandon
Author of Lone Star Farmstead, Brandon is a full time paramedic who, along with his family, is working toward a goal of increasing self-sustainability. He writes in the hope of helping others through information and encouragement along their own journey.