Cast iron

1 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
Area # 16 ( Cooking )

Directions

FROM: TOM MORSTAD

TO: ALL

SUBJECT: CAST IRON RENOVATIO

MSG # 279, JAN-10-92 9:21PM

With input from several antique stores use the following process with abused cast iron.

1. Clean all burnt-in grease with a oven cleaner, may take several repeats to remove all the "paint like" grease. Helps to place the sprayed cast iron in a plastic bag and wait 12 hours to repeat.

2. Clean with a heavy brush after each 12 hour period. And re-spray with oven cleaner.

3. Place clean cast iron in enough vinegar to cover, or use ¼ pint of acetic acid in 3-4 gallons of water. Acetic acid is available at any drugstore for about 10 dollars a pint. With rubber gloves on, check ever-so-often if all the rust is removed. With vinegar it will take weeks, while with acetic acid will take days. Rubbermaid makes some plastic containers with lids that work great for the vinegar.

Any hardware store should have them.

4. With the rust removed do a final cleaning with a heavy brush. Dry cast iron with a towel, and with a brush apply mineral oil to all surfaces, allowing the oil to soak in. After about 10 minutes place the cast iron in a stove that is set at about 150 degrees and let bake for a half hour or until the smoke gets too heavy.

IF YOU PLACE THE CAST IRON IN THE STOVE BEFORE APPLYING OIL IT WILL BE WELL RUSTED WHEN REMOVED FROM STOVE.

5. Once cast iron is cooled down, apply a non-salted cooking oil and repeat the baking process. Mineral oil is absorbed much better than regular cooking oil, and provides a "deep" protection. While cooking oil protects the outside of the cast iron.

6. Re-apply the non-salted cooking oil a couple more times and re-bake for optimal protection. Repeat re-oiling once/twice a year or as needed.

Submitted By JOYCE MONSCHEIN On 06-17-95

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