Rusty Carbon Steel Skillet Restoration | Made In Cookware

[@JesseHall76]

When I got my first carbon steel pan, I used way too much oil to season it, and it became a sticky mess. So I needed to strip it down and start over. Not having this video available, I used SANDPAPER to scrape it clean, and it worked great. Note: Made In (and seemingly everyone else online) says you can't ruin carbon steel (or cast iron), so I took them at their word and broke out the sandpaper. Once I finished scraping it clean, it looked just like the strip-down pan in this video (completely steel in color). Then I started over with the seasoning process on the stove, using (as Steve says in his seasoning instruction video), "a comically-small amount of oil." I used Made In's seasoning wax. That stuff works awesome, and one container lasts a VERY long time (years). After seasoning it on the stove three times, it was back to perfect. Steve: I love all of your videos - they are so practical and helpful. Thanks and please keep them coming!

[@MadeInCookware]

Thanks Jesse! Agree, the wax is a GREAT option!

[@lizkuntz5362]

Mine was so bad that my husband took it to his workshop outside and used a sander. Perfect! My new go to method.

[@AL__EX]

next time you can use easy-off oven cleaner. lather that sucker, stick it in plastic bag, tie it off, and leave it for a day

[@shundakm]

Ohhh THANK YOU SO MUCH for your tutorials esp this one at this moment. If not at all for you, my carbon Steele pan would have been dead and buried a very long time ago. I’m proud of finding your repairing and how to season all things/pans channel. You are THE DUDE that knows pans no matter which. Please keep helping with you knowledge and your channel

[@MCRuCr]

from my experience, the coating does not get sticky when too much oil is applies, but when it is not heated high enough. It has to smoke at least!

[@chrissymazzone5272]

Real talk - this is my pan that I asked for help repairing. It was a huge error on my part. It was super fun to watch Steve walk me through how to repair it and what I did wrong in the first place! You have to use a comically small amount of oil! Thanks Steve and made in for bringing my pan back to life.

[@andreafelgemacher7436]

Just stripped. my seasoning after watching your video because the "other manufacturers" video on the pan I bought totally gave me an improper seasoning. So I watched your video last night here; took the first seasoning off. And Im about to re-season the pan using your method. Thanks for the concise and easy to use videos. It makes this process a lot easier for everyday people like myself!

[@MadeInCookware]

You asked for it... Steve is back with a rusted Carbon Steel pan! Hope you enjoyed. Let us know what else you’d like to see covered in future videos.

[@nicoles5957]

10/10 would recommend this tutorial to the chump (me) who accidentally put this pan in the dishwasher while staying at a friends home… ☠️👀

[@caraibespat8877]

Fantastic! Resurrected my old carbon steel French pans. They are back in action. Thanks

[@BarnyWaterg8]

Barkeepers friend worked for me to get rust out as well

[@pcm9969]

The only set of videos I've seen that make seasoning a carbon pan successful. I used this video to strip a pan I did using other videos. This time it will be re-seasoned the correct way. It sounds goofy, but watching eggs slide easily around the pan is a great experience!

[@Findingcomfortinpain]

What oil did you use?

[@pcm9969]

Grapeseed oil.

[@katebennett4145]

Super helpful to know you can strip Carbon to the bare metal! Thanks Steve!

[@benrubins8172]

Thank you Steve for an uncomplicated tutorial on how restore a pan back to its former glory. I’m pretty new to carbon steel and have had a 10” sauté pan in rotation for about a year and a half. I was always careful to not cook acidic foods in it and I found that just after plating whatever I cooked was a good time to wipe out the pan well while it was hot and then add a quarter size puddle of veggie oil, and rub that into the pan. I was careful until I wasn’t; a few weeks ago, after sautéing ground turkey for a crock pot chili, I got distracted by the life of living in a small house with my partner and two boys, and the by the time I noticed it was dirty a day later, the rust had already descended. I am interested to see how this comes out with Steve’s method. Thanks again Steve!

[@stephanieprosser7631]

Steve does great instructional videos. He is engaging and gives clear concise instruction. Keep them coming! Great job!

[@MadeInCookware]

More to come!

[@jennaseco1513]

fellow carbon steel lover here! love these tips and tricks

[@Aliessil]

Really loving these videos! It's amazing how much abuse these pans can take and still recover - I would've probably binned this one, thinking it was ruined!

[@georgepretnick4460]

Steve, You have a very good on camera voice. Vinegar and steel wool is OK, Baking soda and either steel wool or scrubby is OK. Vinegar plus baking soda is a self defeating waste of time. Baking soda is a base. Vinegar is an acid. When you mix them together, they cancel each other out and all you get is a neutral waste of time. Baking soda is good AFTER the vinegar soak to neutralize the vinegar.

[@markchristopher4165]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@Doncooks]

Whoooaaaa, incredible! Is it bad I want to leave my pan out just to restore it like this?…

[@toddcunningham3213]

Not in my opinion. Lol! These things are a dime a dozen at secondhand stores. People think they are ruined, or don't know how to care for them to begin with. Restoring old cast iron and carbon steel cookware and carbon steel knives has become a hobby of mine... ...they also make great gifts!

[@mattgunderson350]

Thanks, Steve! Gonna try this method on my skillet but also a few rusty tools I have laying around.

[@damobyrne]

Just bought my first carbon steel pan and these videos are so helpful /// more Steve !!

[@MadeInCookware]

Thank you!

[@palatefilms8713]

Can't believe you got it down to the bare metal, that looks incredible!

[@ReddOctober]

Informative video, and I love how you took a moment to put us in think mode about the process you just did. A reflection is always a good teaching tool. Greatly appreciated. ❤

[@MadeInCookware]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DonnaB-s8d]

great video, thanks. I don't have a gas stove so I used the gas bbq for seasoning as it gets hotter than my glass top burner.

[@Anno_Nymous]

i had one of my cs pans rust, but after cleaning and reseasoning it, it seems to perform much better.

[@jerrycollins4893]

Great video! Thanks. My Made In pan needs this treatment.

[@shawnmccutchan6025]

Thanks

[@chip_malt]

The video we’ve been waiting for!!

[@davidmclaughlin2796]

This guy is too cool. I have 2 Made In carbon skillets and I love them. Thank you. It's a great video.

[@jerrycollins4893]

Your videos are very helpful. Well-produced, presented and to the point.

Thank you for the instructions. The best I found online.

[@MadeInCookware]

Glad it was helpful!

[@metapixusion]

This is amazing!! I use a carbon steel comal for my tortillas and its been a year of learning 😅

[@karastrasser7478]

best one yet!!!

[@naomiking8038]

I loved this video. My set of cookware is still absolutely beautiful after a year of use, Thanks Steve,I now know what to do if rust ever occurs.

[@saraspriggatoni1754]

Steve is the GOAT

[@jonteraadams2878]

Best detailed video by far

[@johngregg9450]

Thanks for one of the easiest and informative video. I have my first carbon steel frying pan, I followed a different video and used too much heat. The pan works quite well yet does not appear like yours or others, so I'm considering cleaning it and re-seasoning. Keep up the great informative videos 😊

[@bvongkeo10]

I’m new with carbon steel and your videos have been super helpful!

[@MadeInCookware]

Glad you like them!

[@78thandSynth]

I didn’t love the griddle like I should have. Ordered bag and watching rust videos. We are going to make it.

[@watchlearnrepeat7801]

Would this approach work with cast iron as well? Thanks for posting!

[@404TRUCKERTV]

omg, that pan looks good. better then a new one.

[@pardiyop.atmodjo9711]

Step by step tutorial. Easy yo follow. Thank you so much.

[@loopbloke]

thanks. Love your kitchen.

[@MadeInCookware]

Thank you! 😊

[@joelsandoval5405]

Amazing pan

[@B-leafer]

Nice job.

[@MadeInCookware]

Thanks!

[@shawnhampton8503]

Word to the wise: do NOT leave your stripped down carbon steel lying around for too long... and I mean, even like an hour. Flash rusting will occur even from the air. Season that stripped pan right away!

[@paviaaPS3]

Rust only occurs if humidity is over 60%

[@booksquotes948]

Wat does season pan mean ?

[@newunderthesun7353]

@books quotes Applying the oil as in this video is seasoning. It makes the pan non stick.

[@CreachterZ]

@@paviaaPS3Or when you don’t completely remove all water from a freshly washed skillet. That’s what the OP was talking about and it is very valid for this video.

[@paviaaPS3]

@@CreachterZ nah, what I’m mentioning is even more valid

[@dobbincallahan5002]

I love my Made In steel pan, and this video is great. Thanks for the information!

[@ItWillAllGoHorriblyWrong]

Mmmmmm Bacon. Also, making a batch of popcorn is a great way to build the seasoning layer. That's how I maintain the seasoning on my made in Wok.

[@robbeason]

Super useful. Thanks!

[@pittrader1988]

Great video. Presentation super easy to understand. Thank you

[@MadeInCookware]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lechatbotte.]

Woot woot thank you. I had a carbon steel pan was was worried about THIS is the fix?

[@Jerry-xs1eg]

Good information!

[@MadeInCookware]

Glad it was helpful!

[@2ndRatePetronius]

FANTASTIC!

[@juliaw6129]

Awesome awesome Video!

[@rustamarzu]

Great video! Can i use this process to refresh my De Buyer Mineral B Pan?

[@phoebequimbo91]

Wow nice thanks for sharing..

[@MadeInCookware]

Thanks for visiting!

[@playinglifeoneasy9226]

I have some French tart pans with her removable bottom that I’ve gotten really nasty. I’m gonna try this with.

[@GeoffsYouTube]

Nice job! I see lots of recommendations to cook bacon early in the seasoning process, including mention of it in this video. I tried cooking bacon in both my Matfer carbon steel and my Field cast iron skillets and found that it kept removing the seasoning. It turns out most store bought bacon, including the bacon I was buying, has sugar added, which is acidic. It would probably be a good idea to be specific about recommending bacon that has no sugar added. I know it would have saved me a ton of aggravation in getting started.

[@JillC]

Also super-market bacon contains up to 10% added water

[@sylvanruud451]

Sugar is pH neutral.

[@GeoffsYouTube]

@@sylvanruud451 You are, indeed, correct. However, something about cooking bacon caused problems and in contacting Field about it, they had replied that cooking typical store bought bacon in a new skillet that doesn't have a lot of seasoning built up isn't a good idea.

[@elmyra.jackson]

I'm so glad this video showed up on my feed. Thanks. New Sub💙

[@MadeInCookware]

Thanks for subbing!

[@LUVDOGS1954]

Outstanding...now subscribed, thank you.

[@MadeInCookware]

Welcome aboard!

[@orisanumbani5874]

You did a great job explaining the process, thanks! 👨‍🍳

[@MadeInCookware]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paulkraft1475]

Would Barkeepers Friend also work for the baking soda & vinegar stage?

[@VadeInSpiritu]

Do these pans work correctly with flat magnetic induction heating stovetops? I have one and it seems like the induction heat is only strong enough to get good seasoning on the bottom of the pan

[@chip_malt]

Yep!

[@guidoaalbers6594]

Awesome video maestro! Great method

[@kevinreveles2130]

Great video! After you season with grapeseed oil, can you use olive oil for cooking? Will that affect the seasoning?

[@chip_malt]

That is what I do!

[@pamelafrazier6411]

What temperature do you use for seasoning in the oven? How long? I have an electric stove.

[@christina_stone]

THIS!!! Thank you! I am off to buy a vat of vinegar :)

[@MrStropparo]

He loves his job.

[@Hippy2021]

I justdid it today. Perfect result. Why your pan looks like stainless steel pan? Mine is all dark silver. I bought blue carbon steel pan. I'd there a difference? Thank you 💕

[@MadeInCookware]

Amazing! Good job

[@dangerwillrobinson366]

With my 2 carbon steel pans I season with the Made In seasoning paste after each use on the stove top. Is that suitable to use for a reseasoning after a strip? I paste on when hot and let it come to a smoke then turn off and wipe down to remove the excess so it doesn't paste up.

[@jeannetlee]

Any tips on seasoning this pan on an electric glass cooktop, electric coil cooktop, & induction cooktop? Do we just lay the sides right on top of the heating elements?

[@shawnhampton8503]

You really want to use your oven for seasoning, rather than those cooktops. They have a great video on that. The stovetop method really only works with gas ranges.

[@pamelafrazier6411]

Love this video, very helpful.

[@thomascumiskey4198]

Great video! Thanks

[@1TimothyFourTen]

Ahh thank you for this. :)

[@iang7007]

Question: brand new Made In 12" blue steel pan. and i wasn't sure how much to wash off before seasoning... i scrubbed for an hour and kept getting black, then gold residue on the paper towel test. edible? scary. so out came the vinegar and i soaked the pan. 3 hrs. that removed the blue. in fact that had floating blue bits all through the sink. really glad i did this :) your videos are super helpful God bless you :)

[@gregpaxton6293]

Steve, does this restoring method also apply to Made In blue carbon steel?

[@irampage007]

Hey bro, thanks for the vid! Just wanting to confirm. When applying oil for seasoning, do you have to wipe the oil off as if you're getting rid of the oil before starting the seasoning process?

[@liftinglemons6340]

Needed this!

[@NinjaMonkeyPrime]

Was that one of your blue carbon steel pans? I'm surprised it went back to that bare metal color. What's the blue color from?

[@shawnhampton8503]

Yes, all made in carbon steel pans are "blue carbon steel" which is a process used by some carbon steel pan manufacturers to help prevent rust on the pan during shipping. This process uses Iron Oxide and heat which turns the metal blue. A light coating of oil is also added. It is not a 100% perfect system as rust can still happen to the pan, but it is a pretty good rust repellant. Other makers use a beeswax coating on their pans which has to be removed before seasoning. Either way, proper seasoning, care and use will help prevent rust.

[@NinjaMonkeyPrime]

@@shawnhampton8503 So it's similar to beeswax except it isn't meant to be removed? I didn't know that.

[@shawnhampton8503]

@@NinjaMonkeyPrime It will come off on its own, but the seasoning on top of it usually has it covered so you never see that. It really is not required to be removed like the beeswax. But if the seasoning fails and comes off, the blue annealing comes off too, most often.

[@marionquesneau]

De Buyer advice to stop as soon as the pan smokes to avoid a fire. Should I go AFTER the smokes point? My seasoning is weak and I have a strong metallic taste on my brand new pan even after 6 rounds of seasoning.

[@harls9856]

Thanks for the video! I hope mine will be as clean as this one 🤞

[@richardnyegaard276]

Great video 👍😎

[@ilseparatio2963]

nice stuff

[@daviddesilva2465]

Can you use avocado oil?

[@barbaral6152]

Thank you for this video. I thought that my poor pan was done for. Just my inexperience and lack of knowledge. Wish I had a beautiful gas stove like that can it be done in the oven

[@MadeInCookware]

You can do it!

[@joanmrazek9025]

Could a glass top electric stove be used to season?

[@MadeInCookware]

Absolutely! You can use also use an oven. Check out our video on this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqu9doZteN5jsMU

[@Findingcomfortinpain]

Hello. Can I use vegetable oil? Do I need to season it after every cooking each time I finish washing?

[@slothsarecool]

I feel like the smoke never stops 😂, even with a tiny tiny amount of oil

[@peteywest2526]

will this work on cast iron?

[@MadeInCookware]

Yes.

[@miguelinaricardo2392]

Can I use this method of seasoning a carbon steel skillet on a wok?

[@MadeInCookware]

Yes, absolutely.

[@rokkenshin928]

Use power drill with scrubbing pad

[@carlajacobs2464]

I only have access to an electric stove. Will that be adequate to accomplish similar seasoning to my cruddy carbon steel pan? Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

[@PhillipStewart-k7f]

Just like I tell everyone a well seasoned pan will look bad on the outside but clean on the inside 😮

[@killerhawks]

What about out the oven method? Like 500 for about 1 hour?

[@alicedyment4219]

I put mine in the oven during a self clean cycle. It worked beautifully and a whole lot easier.

[@caseypursel4605]

yaaaaasssss!!!!

[@cdmsoundstudios]

Hey Steve - I don’t have a rusty carbon steel pan, but my 12” and 10” Made In pans were destroyed when I left them in the care of a houseguest. They scraped them, washed them the way you would with soap. They’re totally a banged up mess. Which part of this process do you recommend? I did a lot of scrubbing with soap and abrasive and no matter what, it always wipes brown with a paper towel. And then I used vinegar and I got them very smooth but they don’t look nice anymore. And when I seasoned one in the oven it got those sticky beads - I guess too much oil. Scrub again and start over?

[@MadeInCookware]

Hi there! If you have the sticky, too much oil situation you can always scrub again (don’t have to go all the way to bare but course salt and oil can get you a long way!) or just let it cook down over time and avoid anything delicate as that breaks down. If you want to DM us a picture on Instagram or email [e-mail] we can follow up and make sure you get sorted out!

[@cdmsoundstudios]

@@MadeInCookware thank you for the quick reply! I guess part of my concern is what the pan is supposed to look like when it’s properly seasoned. I guess it will never look like it did when I first got it, but one of them now looks more like a stainless steel pan from the vinegar. I guess the OCD part of me wants the whole pan to look uniform, and when it looks darker at the edges of the pan that it does in the center of the pan, and I feel like it’s going to cook on evenly. Mainly, I just want to feel like they’re in good condition and will perform well.

[@cliftonmcreynolds5872]

Just got my first Made In (10") pan about a month ago. 1. It wasn't stripped to shiny carbon steel, does this mean it was pre seasoned? 2. Do you need to strip it to shiny level periodically (every few years, maybe?)? Thanks for a great video!

[@57raytay]

I just used my carbon steel wok from the first time. I made fried rice and the eggs stuck to the bottom. Cleaned out all food. And put some water in the bottom and scraped out the stuck stuff and. I will wipe it out. Can I then do another seasoning. I only did one before. Used it. Basically cleaned it like. Do my cast iron

[@bethbaker2]

I have a glass cook top … can you season in the oven?

[@MadeInCookware]

Yes!

[@jackbautista6754]

do i have to do this procedure repeatedly after every use of the pan?

[@MadeInCookware]

No - this is just for the rare case of when your pan rusts. This happens when you by mistake leave it in the sink for an extended period of time and don't dry it. You should never have to use this procedure if you care for your pan (dry it after use and use a little oil when storing it), but in cases maybe where you live in FLorida near the salt water or forget it in the sink, this is good to restore your pan back to normal.

[@csevo100]

What can I do if I only have a little speck of seasoning missing? Unfortunately, I left the pan wet and developed a bit of rust and when I wiped it the seasoning came off and can see a bit of the steel underneath. Do I need to strip the whole thing off or can I do something to patch it up?

[@chip_malt]

Just wipe the rust of and keep cooking it’ll even out

[@csevo100]

@@chip_maltThank you! I just sauted some asparagus this evening as normal. Now there are some light marks on the pan as if the seasoning layer is thinning?! What do I do?! 😱

[@Brunfthirsch86]

what brand is this skillet ?

[@MadeInCookware]

Made In Cookware

[@jasonbeckett8928]

Went through the steps and it looked really good until I heat dried the pan pre seasoning step andta bunch of rust came through. Not sure what to do with the pan at this point

[@MaNkYmInX]

This is exactly what happened to my Made In pan but mine looks worse. For the soak in venegar part, my sink is not big enough. Can I just set the pan on the counter and add the vinegar then? Also, I have an electric stove. Will it work the same as a gas one? Thanks!