One of the many reasons cast iron pans are amazing is because, when properly cared for, they can last for a lifetime. But if there’s one drawback to this kitchen workhorse, it’s that it can easily accumulate rust if not cleaned well. But don’t worry — there’s an easy fix, and it involves a kitchen staple you likely already have.
Because cast iron pans can be quite expensive (and are often family heirlooms), one might call it a miracle that you can clean rust off of them using an inexpensive, widely available household staple: aluminum foil. Wondering how to use aluminum foil to remove rust from a cast iron pan? You’ve come to the right place — here, experts walk you through the process and fill you in on a few things to consider before getting started.
How to Use Aluminum Foil to Remove Rust from a Cast Iron Pan
It all comes down to a chemical reaction — rust is a combination of iron and oxygen, also called iron oxide. When aluminum foil (either side works just fine) comes into contact with rust, an electron exchange occurs, causing the aluminum to lose electrons and the rust to gain electrons, which turns the oxide back into metal, essentially removing the rust that’s accumulated on your cast iron pots and pans, according to the BBC.
Now that you’ve had your daily chemistry lesson, it’s time to dive into how to use aluminum foil to remove rust from a cast iron pan. I spoke to Daniel Anderson, cleaning expert and CEO of GoRubbishGo, a London-based trash removal service, for a step-by-step guide. For this simple cleaning task, you’ll need aluminum foil, mild dish soap, warm water, a sponge or cloth, and vegetable oil or cast iron seasoning oil. Of course, you’ll also need a cool and completely dry cast iron pan.
Can Aluminum Foil Clean Other Types of Cookware?
In case you’ve got rust on other cookware, you’re probably wondering if foil can be used to clean nonstick or stainless steel pots and pans. According to Anderson, “Aluminum foil can also be used to remove rust from stainless steel and enamel pans. But beware of nonstick or Teflon-coated pans, as the aluminum foil might scratch or wear off the nonstick surface.”
There are lots of different ways to clean with aluminum foil, and I’m always here for a great cleaning hack using what’s already in my pantry. Now that you’ve learned the step-by-step process for how to use aluminum foil to remove rust from a cast iron pan, you can add one more brilliant cleaning hack to your arsenal. Looking for more clever ways to use aluminum foil? Check out this brilliant method for cleaning a kitchen sink with foil.
