Bare Metal Cast Iron Protection: Simple, Proven Seasoning

Summary for bare metal cast iron protection Discussion

bare metal cast iron cookware protection is the core issue here: Cheryl Goodart asked what to rub on flood-damaged cast iron pots that had been cleaned to bare metal after sitting in salty, oily water for over a month. The reply from Ted Mooney, P.E. suggested a traditional seasoning approach rather than a special coating: probably bacon grease or Crisco, then putting the pots into the oven. He pointed readers to letter 4988 for more detail. The practical takeaway is that the thread favors re-seasoning the cookware with a food-safe fat and heat, which is the standard way to protect bare cast iron after cleaning. No alternative products were recommended in the excerpt, and the advice is framed as a probable solution rather than a guarantee.

Q. I have had my mother’s cast iron pots cleaned to bare metal.
(Note: her home was flooded in Katrina. After sitting in salty oily water for over a month they were a mess.) WHAT IS THE BEST PRODUCT TO RUB ON THE BARE CAST IRON POTS FOR PROTECTION?

THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP.

Cheryl

Cheryl Goodart
homeowner – Houston, Texas
2006


Q. I have a set of cast iron cookware that went through the flood in Texas. What can be done to make this safe to use again.

Daniel Harvey
– Vidor, Texas United States
September 20, 2017

A. Hi Daniel. I’d probably fill them with water and boil it for 15 minutes or more, then I’d scrub them down carefully with 00 steel wool

⇦ on

eBay or
Amazon [affil link] and detergent — probably twice. Then start re-seasoning them per above. Best of luck.

Regards,

ted_yosem
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha

finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey



Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.

September 2017