A cast-iron cauldron rusts, how to clean and what to do in the future

A cast iron cauldron is a versatile dish in which a variety of dishes are prepared. Moreover, they always turn out tasty, juicy, rich, retain all the benefits. However, these kitchen utensils have their drawbacks. For example, a cauldron tends to rust if not properly cared for. This is due to the structure of the material.

Why does the cauldron rust

Opening a heavy cauldron in order to prepare dinner for the whole family, the hostess may be unpleasantly struck by stains of corrosion that have accumulated inside the large bowl. This happens often, even in those houses where the cast iron is carefully looked after.

But do not rush to throw out the pan. There are effective methods for getting rid of rust stains. Having coped with the dirt and processed the surface, you can continue cooking in the cauldron.

The main cause of corrosion is the porous structure of cast iron, which gets the smallest drops of moisture.

If your dishes have been well prepared for cooking, this does not happen. Violation of the integrity of the protective coating can provoke the formation of red spots. Most often this happens as a result of improper washing with abrasive substances or hard brushes, as well as when using unsuitable dishes. Metal shovels, spoons, forks and knives are unsuitable utensils that should be used in a cauldron.

What to do if the cauldron rusts

To prevent the pan from corroding, be sure to carry out the heating procedure with vegetable oil. Subsequently, you will have to periodically lubricate the surface with oil to maintain the integrity of the protective coating.

How to clean dishes

There are several effective methods with which to quickly and easily deal with corrosion spots:

• Household chemicals. There are always products in stores that can remove rust. Strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions and rinse the solution thoroughly from the cauldron.
• Grinding. The use of a special machine for grinding surfaces is quite safe. Cast iron is a strong material that is not afraid of mechanical stress.
• Sandpaper. A similar method to the previous one, with the difference that you have to do everything manually. Simply wipe the stains with a piece of coarse paper and finish sanding with a fine-grained layer.
• Vinegar. The product is boiled in a rusted cauldron with the addition of water. The procedure takes about two hours.
• Glue and soap. Suitable for small cookware. The cast iron is immersed in a basin and poured with silicate glue, adding a crushed bar of laundry soap. Next, the mixture is boiled and left to cool.

All of these methods are effective, cleaning after the procedure is quick and without the need to apply the methods several times. The hostess will not experience difficulties in cleaning the cauldron.

How to protect against further corrosion

For preventive purposes, it is recommended to periodically ignite the cast iron. This can be done in several ways. One of the available ones is considered to be heat treatment in the oven. The cauldron is thoroughly warmed up at 200˚С. Then it is taken out and greased with vegetable oil from all sides and sent back to the oven.

The procedure must be repeated several times.

A large cauldron with butter is put on low heat and wait for the pan to heat up. After that, the cast iron is turned so that the oil composition covers all the walls of the vessel. Do the same with 2 kg of salt. When heated, it is rolled over the inside of the dish. Firing continues until the granular product turns gray.

In conclusion, we note that cast-iron dishes should not be washed with ordinary sponges with the addition of cleaning agents. They remove the protective oily layer, exposing the cauldron to the risk of rusting. Washing in a dishwasher works the same way.