Remove Rust
Cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel, with each of these iron-containing metals, rust is natural and most often nothing to worry about in the kitchen.
If the cookware can take a seasoning, a sufficiently seasoned skillet will help you dodge the nuisance of rust. But, getting to that point you might need to first get your cast iron skillet / Dutch oven, etc. back into its pre-rust state.
It is probably just light rust which cleans up very easily.
Here we'll talk about clearing rust from the cookware / metal utensil / bakeware and how to keep it clear.
How Do I Get Rust Off My Cookware / Metal Utensil / Bakeware and Keep It Off?
How to Get Rust Off of Cast Iron
Our favorite way to remove rust is a product very widely available called Bar Keepers Friend. It's been a go-to in our house for years.
We highly recommend this stuff for light surface rust on cast iron. It works wonders on removing rust. The rust will scrub off with some water and Bar Keepers Friend.
And then as far as
Keeping Rust Off
Wash your skillet with soap and water, dry completely, and the cast iron is ready to be seasoned and become more water resistant.
A sufficiently seasoned skillet will help you dodge the nuisance of rust. But getting to that point you might need to first get your cast iron skillet / Dutch oven, etc. back into its pre-rust state. Bar Keepers Friend can help with that very well.
Clean & Remove Rust At Same Time
Recently we have launched Crisbee Sudz, an economical dishwashing soap that also fights rust. It's available on Amazon. In the same spirit of saving elbow grease that inspired our innovative cast iron seasoning products, this soap simplifies cast iron cleaning and maintenance.
Preventing Rust
Pat dry your cookware / metal utensil after washing it. If it's cast iron and you're feeling wild, you can dry it by putting it back on some heat and letting any moisture evaporate.
Storage With Potential To Rust In Mind
Try to be mindful of how humid it is wherever you're stowing your cookware/etc. If you have your cast iron hanging above your stovetop where you boil water all the time, or stowed away in a humid part of the house, that moisture can lead to spot rust unchecked. Particularly if the cookware not seasoned.
Can Crisbee's Seasoning Products Prevent Stainless Steel Cookware From Rusting?
We often get asked if our cast iron seasoning products can be used to protect cookware like stainless steel skillets, and though we can only attest to their efficacy on cast iron and carbon steel cookware, we've heard from a number of Crisbee users that they love it on stainless steel too.
If it's cast iron cookware or carbon steel cookware, however, a sufficient seasoning will help prevent rust. More on this in our write-up on cast iron seasoning.