How to Fix a Rusty Skillet

Wet down a scouring pad. This scouring pad should not be made of metal. A nylon scrubber will work fine, but will need to be thrown out after you are done. Thoroughly wet down your scrubber and place a small amount of dish soap in the pan.

Scrub the rusty spots. It is best to avoid submerging the pan during this process. Place it on a counter and scrub. Rewet your scrubber as necessary. Work until all visible signs of rust are removed. If the rust is severe or has eaten away at the pan, you may need to continue scrubbing for some time. In this event, you can use a small power hand drill with a scrubber attachment. Be careful not to gouge the pan; run the tool on the lowest setting.

Rinse off the pan and dry it. Rinse off the soap and rust residue in the pan and then dry it with a clean cloth. Make sure that you remove all moisture from the pan or it will simply rust again.

Season the pan. To prevent rust from reoccurring, you must "season" the pan. Wipe the entire pan with vegetable oil. Only use unsalted oil. Place the pan in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for an hour. Remove the skillet and allow it to cool completely. Wipe up any leftover oil in or on the pan with a paper towel. Store the skillet in a cool, dry location.

Properly care for your iron skillet. Once you have all the rust gone and you have reseasoned the skillet, avoid submerging it in water, never place it in the dishwasher, and if you stack your iron pans, place a paper towel or paper plate between them to help absorb any excess moisture.