The Unexpected Potato Hack That'll Do Wonders For Your Dirty Cast Iron Skillet

There are plenty of good reasons why cast iron pans are the go-to cookware for chefs and experienced home cooks. Not only are they incredibly durable, but they also retain heat extremely well, are versatile enough to use on the stove or in the oven, and provide a naturally non-stick surface. But there is one thing that every user of cast iron cookware fears — rust. A cast iron skillet can rust if water sits on it too long because the iron oxidizes when exposed to moisture and oxygen. That's why soaking them after use is among the worst cleaning mistakes that can ruin your cast iron pans. Fortunately, the solution to a dirty, rusty cast iron pan are items you probably already have in your pantry — potatoes and salt. 

Potatoes are a surprisingly effective tool for cleaning cast iron cookware, removing not just rust, but burnt-on food particles as well. That's because potatoes contain oxalic acid, a naturally occurring compound found in many plant-based foods. Rust, also known as iron oxide, undergoes a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with the oxalic acid, which turns the iron oxide into iron oxalate. Iron oxalate is a water-soluble salt, so you can easily rinse it away with water. However, while oxalic acid is an effective cleaner and rust-remover on its own, potatoes are usually paired with an abrasive to help scrub burnt-on residue. Salt is the most commonly used one, but baking soda can also work.

Learning how to care for your cast iron pan can sometimes be tricky, but cleaning it with a potato is actually pretty simple. Slice a raw, white potato in half, so you can comfortably hold it in your hand. You can either sprinkle a good amount of coarse salt directly over the pan or onto the cut side of the potato. Either way, use the potato to scrub the skillet in small circles. Its moisture forms a paste with the salt that is just abrasive enough to remove rust, cooked-on food, or other stubborn stains from your cast iron pan.

When you're satisfied that the skillet is clean, dump the potato and any loose salt into the trash. Next, rinse the pan in the sink to fully remove the remaining residue. Make sure to dry it thoroughly to prevent any future rusting. Because scrubbing the surface will remove the previous seasoning layer, you'll need to re-season the pan. Add a teaspoon of oil, and spread it over the cooking surface in a thin layer. Place the skillet in an oven preheated to 400 degrees for an hour to restore its protective, non-stick coating. Finally, you might like to explore even more tips on how to remove rust from your cast iron pan, such as using ketchup.