Don't worry, your pan isn't ruined just because it has a little rust on it.
With a little vinegar and some TLC, it can be as good as new.
Rust and frying pans don't go well together. So it's not unusual to panic a little if you see rust on your favourite pan one day!
Fortunately, it's easy to remove rust stains from carbon steel pans – and your pan will perform just as well (if not better) once you've followed this guide.
It takes a little more than just soap and a sponge to remove rust. But with a few good tips, you'll be equipped to both remove rust and prevent it from reappearing.
Why does my pan rust?
Unlike stainless steel frying pans, carbon steel pans will rust if left in a damp environment for a long time. This is due to the alloy in carbon steel pans, which consists of 99% iron and 1% carbon. The iron in the frying pan can oxidise, and it is the product of this reaction that appears as rust on the pan.
The good news is that as the owner of a carbon steel pan, you only need to worry about rust if you leave the frying pan in a damp environment for a long time. This could be, for example, if the pan is left to soak in the sink (which we do NOT recommend). In fact, rust often occurs after cleaning.
To prevent and avoid rust, we strongly recommend that you follow these steps every time you use water to clean your iron pan:
- Dry the frying pan with a tea towel
- Place the frying pan on the hob
- Set the hob to low heat until all the water has evaporated
- Coat the inside of the pan with a thin layer of oil with a high smoke point (e.g. grape seed oil)
- Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool
- Wipe any excess oil from the pan
A protective layer of oil can make all the difference when it comes to rust.
If you live in a particularly humid area or use your carbon steel pan a lot outdoors, there is an increased risk of rust developing due to the moisture in the air. In this case, you should be extra thorough in following the tips in this guide – and make sure to coat both the inside and outside of the pan with oil when you season it.
If your pan is already rusty, don't worry – help is at hand!
How to remove rust from your frying pan
There are several methods you can use to remove rust from your carbon steel or iron pan. Here are our three favourites:
The salt method:
The gentlest method. Here you use coarse salt and a little oil to scrub the rust off the pan. This method is really good for removing smaller rust spots.
- Add coarse salt and a little cooking oil on top of the rust stain
- Scrub the salt and oil into the rust stain in circular motions with a piece of kitchen roll or a soft cloth until the rust is completely gone
- Season your carbon steel pan in oil in a process called ‘seasoning’
The scrubbing method:
In this method, you will need either a coarse scouring pad, steel wool or similar to scrub the rust off the pan. This is a super easy and effective method that is really good for removing rust from both the inside and outside of the pan.
- Scrub the rust stain in small circular motions with steel wool or a coarse scouring pad.
- Rinse the pan in hot water and soap (repeat step 1 if there is still rust).
- Give your carbon steel pan a new layer of seasoning by seasoning it with oil.
Once you have scrubbed and cleaned the frying pan, make sure it is completely dry before putting it back in the kitchen cupboard.
The vinegar method:
If your carbon steel pan is very rusty, this method will save it. Please note that it is extremely important to give your pan a new layer of seasoning, i.e. burn it in oil, after cleaning with vinegar. Vinegar removes the natural protection and non-stick coating that has built up on the pan.
- Pour equal parts water and vinegar into the pan and place it over medium heat on the stove.
- Pour out the mixture.
- Scrub the pan with hot water and soap.
- Give your carbon steel pan a new layer of seasoning by burning it in with a thin layer of oil.
This is why you should burn your carbon steel pan with oil after removing rust.
When you remove rust from the surface of the frying pan, you will also remove some of the protective layer of oil, which is what protects against future rust and gives the pan its natural non-stick properties.
That's why it's extremely important that you rebuild the pan's natural non-stick and protective properties. We have written a guide on how to do this – but in a nutshell, it involves coating the pan with a thin layer of oil and burning it in, which hardens the oil.
If you are looking for a new carbon steel pan, check out our frying pans here.
