Rust Cast Iron

do the rust of the cast iron cookware cause cancer?

do the rust of the cast iron cookware cause cancer?
what are the harmful effects of the rust of iron?

I can’t imagine it would. My family has been cooking with cast iron for generations and cancer has not been in our family at all actually.

I think maybe you are confusing rust and just simply iron? Before I use any cast iron cookware that has rust in it I clean out the rust and then “season” the cookware. I’ll explain:

Cast iron cookware only rusts if it is not allowed to dry thoroughly. Whether the rust will harm you or not, I really can’t say for sure, but it wouldn’t taste good I don’t think, and there is no reason to put up with it. It’s easily removed with scouring pads, non-soapy being best (like Choreboys or other wire cleaning tools). Once you have all the rust out, rinse the pan out really well and dry it thoroughly (either on a stove burner or in an oven).

To “season” your cast iron, once it is clean and dry, apply shortening or vegetable oil to the whole surface of the cookware. A paper towel works well, with oil or shortening on it. (I prefer Crisco Shortening) You only want a thin layer of it all over the pan, not a lot.

Place the cookware in a 200 degree oven and leave it for 8 to 12 hours. It can stay longer, but that’s long enough. You can leave it in there overnight while you are sleeping if you want.

When you take it out, if you need to, wipe the outside surfaces with a clean paper towel to remove any excess oils.

Now you have a cast iron skillet that won’t rust unless you leave it sitting with water in it, and won’t stick! No kidding… this is the only way you can keep them from sticking, but it works wonders… BUT… HERE IS THE KEY….

Never, never, never, NEVER, wash your cast iron skillet again, with soap. I know it sounds unsanitary, but this works…. You just wipe it out with a paper towel, or if need be put some hot water in it and let it soak. Then rinse it out, removing any food remnants with some kind of soapless scrubber. Rinse well with hot water, and put it in the oven or on a burner to dry for just a few minutes. You don’t have to get it totally hot. Just make sure it dries.

If you DO wash it with soap again, then you have to go through the whole seasoning process again.

It will last longer than your lifetime, is virtually indestructable, and I love my cast iron!