Cast iron pan rusts during seasoning

I had a cast iron pan that I wanted to strip and reseason. I stripped it using the oven cleaner method and then I dried it in the oven at 200C. It got super rusty but I was able to get that all off with oil and a paper towel. The oil I am using is a mix of Canola and Soybean.

This is where the problems start. So I oiled it (just a thin layer and wiped up the excess) and put it in the oven at 400C for two hours. It came out with this dark orange rusty color. Its certainly got a layer of seasoning on it. Wiping it with a paper towel doesnt surface any rust.

So I stripped it with vinegar. While it was still wet I coated it in a bunch of oil. Then I stuck it in the oven at 200 for 15-20 minutes. When it came out there was just a touch of rust. That came off with more oil and elbow grease. Then I added a thick layer of oil, I didnt wipe it off. This time I cooked it at 400C for an hour and a half AND THERE IS STILL THE RUSTY SHEEN.

What am I doing wrong?

cast-iron seasoning-pans

Best Answer

You never removed the initial rust layer from stripping the seasoning. Wiping it down with oil and a paper towel will just mask the appearance of the rust, not remove it. To remove the rust, you will need to scrub the entire pan with something abrasive, such as steel wool.

Edit: You may find the answers to this related question useful.

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Quick Answer about "Cast iron pan rusts during seasoning"

Seasoning and Rust FAQs Now what? This will happen if too much oil is used to season your cast iron or if you didn't heat it for a long enough time. It's easy to fix! Just pop it back in the oven for another hour, or until the stickiness is gone.

Is it OK if cast iron has rust?

In fact, with a few simple tools and a little elbow grease, there are plenty of ways to thoroughly remove rust from cast iron. Experts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign agree that a little bit of rust on cookware isn't likely to harm you. (Even rust in drinking water isn't considered a health hazard.)

How do I stop my cast iron pan from rusting?

Unlike non-stick pans, cast iron was meant to last forever - even when rust takes hold. For those of you with a rusty skillet, Lodge Cast Iron recommends a good scrub, wash, dry, oil, and bake. With a good sprucing up using this five-step method, you can salvage your skillet and get back to cooking.

Is a cast iron pan ruined if it rusts?

THE SOLUTION:

Soak each piece of rusty cast iron in a solution of one part vinegar and one part water.

Using the brush, test each piece after 30 minutes to an hour to see if the rust is coming off. ...

Once you have scrubbed the skillet clean of rust, rinse it thoroughly with water.

Dry skillet completely, and reseason.

The Easy Guide On Seasoning and Restoring Cast Iron

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