Removing rust is essential if you want to keep your cooking utensils in good shape. Rust can accumulate on metal surfaces and will cause them to become stained or even break apart over time. There are many methods for how to remove rust from kitchen tools, but all of them take some elbow grease!
If you want to remove rust from a cooking pan, you can use the same techniques as for cleaning kitchen utensils. Rust is a common problem, but there are methods that can help.
This article will go through several ways for how you can get that pesky rust off before it ruins the look of your utensils, pots, and pans.
Natural rust removal methods involve ingredients that are typically already in your kitchen. Ingredients vary depending on how severe the rust is and how badly you want to remove it. Most of these methods will take time, but many people find that they get great results this way.
What is rust, and how does it form?
Rust is the term for how iron reacts with oxygen and water. Iron, which is used to make steel, has a particular property that causes it to react with oxygen (O2) and water (H2O) molecules. This reaction causes iron atoms to lose an electron; as more electrons are lost, they form positively charged ions that cause the iron to rust. As the iron rusts, it loses its metallic shine and takes on a flaky brown or reddish-brown color. The formation of this oxidized layer is how rust forms.
In short, water and air react with the metal in your utensils – and the result is rust!
Do I need to remove rust from kitchen utensils?
Yes! Rust will not only damage how your utensils look, but it can also cause them to be unusable if the rust is bad enough. For example, if too much of the steel is exposed to oxygen, then there won’t be any metal left – and you’ll need to get new cooking utensils.
Plus, there’s a chance that the rust will drop into any food you are preparing with the utensils. This problem is heightened if you have a rusty cooking pan or baking sheet. Once rust gets into your food, it causes a chemical reaction that can release hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid. These chemicals cause the food to taste sour and metallic…and they’re not great for your digestion either.
If you want to avoid these problems altogether, asking “how do I remove rust from kitchen utensils?” is an important question!
How to remove rust from kitchen tools: The most common methods
Now that you understand how important it is to get the rust off of kitchen tools, it’s time to talk about how you’ll actually remove the rust. There are four main methods that people use – and each one is best for different situations.
1. Clean with vinegar or lemon juice
Using lemon juice or white vinegar is one of the most common ways how to remove rust from kitchen tools. These citrus fruits have acidic compounds which can dissolve the rust on your cooking utensils.
Simply pour some of the liquid on or into the implement to be cleaned, leave it a few minutes, and wash it off. Please don’t leave it too long, as although the acid is weak, it could still cause damage to your kitchen utensils.
An alternative to vinegar or lemon juice is to use cola. Cola has a low level of acid but also has sugar – only use cola as an absolute last resort as the sugar can leave a sticky mess behind, making it even harder to clean your cooking pan or kitchen utensils.
2. Clean with sandpaper or steel wool
Using sandpaper or steel wool can be a great way how to remove rust from kitchen tools; however, it’s best if you’re dealing with light amounts of rust and not a lot of crevices. The sandpaper or steel wool gets rid of the rust by scratching it off and letting the fresh metal shine through.
If you use sandpaper or steel wool, make sure to wear protective gloves and glasses to avoid getting any rust flakes in your eyes.
3. Clean with baking soda and vinegar
Vinegar is excellent for many types of cleaning, and it can be used in a second way for removing rust. If your utensils have rusted, then the combination of baking soda and vinegar can be a great way for how to remove rust from kitchen tools. This method gets rid of the rust by causing a chemical reaction between the acidic compounds in the vinegar and the iron oxide, which causes bubbles that will carry away most of the rust.
Vinegar can also be mixed with salt to create a similar reaction and complete the cleaning process.
However, there are two things you need to keep in mind before using this method:
You should be aware of all the methods of how to remove rust from stainless steel if you’re using tools that have a stainless-steel coating – since vinegar doesn’t work in every situation.
More importantly, the chemical reaction caused by mixing baking soda and vinegar can form hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive! Be sure to mix these ingredients outside or in a well-ventilated area, and don’t mix them inside containers that can explode if exposed to high pressure.
It is unlikely that such an event will occur, but it is wise to take precautions just in case. Better safe than sorry!
4. Clean with a stainless steel scrubber
If you have stainless steel utensils that are rusted, then how to remove rust from kitchen tools may require using steel wool or a special scrub pad designed for stainless steel. These will get rid of the rust the same way as steel wool or sandpaper does – by scratching it off, exposing fresh stainless steel underneath.
However, there are a few things you should know about how to remove rust from stainless steel:
These techniques for how to remove rust from kitchen tools may scratch off some of your metal coatings. If you want to keep your utensils pristine, then using an abrasive to remove rust from stainless steel may not be the best method to use.
You should avoid this method if you need to clean lots of crevices; since it can be hard to get into all the cracks, and if any rust is left behind, it tends to spread.
Tips for preventing rust from forming in the future
Now that you know how to remove rust from kitchen tools, here are some tips on how to prevent rust in the future:
- 1. Once your utensils have been cleaned, coat them with a light layer of oil or cooking spray. This can prevent further rusting because it gets rid of water and other liquids that trigger oxidation. If thoroughly coating them isn’t an option, then even a partial coating can help to prevent further rust.
- 2. Protect your pans and trays with a light coating of oil in the same way.
- 3. Only use steel wool or leave your utensils in water for a long time as a last resort, as this can cause them to rust more quickly in the future!
- 4. Clean kitchen utensils carefully and dry them afterward.
- 5. Store metal kitchen utensils in a dry, cool area.
- 6. Use coasters to absorb moisture. If you keep pans and other utensils on coasters, they are less likely to be exposed to water, reducing the chance of rusting.
- 7. Clean your utensils regularly – it isn’t just water that causes a problem, as food that contains water can also have the same effect. Dirty utensils are far more prone to rusting than clean ones.
If all else fails, take your utensils to a professional cleaner who knows how to remove rust from kitchen tools. Professionals will have tools and techniques that can make sure the cleaning is completed without causing any damage to your utensils, pots, or pans.
FAQ
How do I remove rust from metal utensils?
You can remove rust from metal kitchen utensils using the methods described above.
How to remove rust from steel utensils?
You can use a cleaner formulated to remove rust from metal utensils. This is the simplest way to remove rust from stainless steel kitchen tools because it’s designed to eliminate the rust without scratching off any metal coating on your utensils.
How do I remove rust from a baking tray?
To remove rust from a cooking pan or a baking tray, you can use the methods above, but instead of applying lemon juice or baking soda, soak the pan in a bowl with a dilute solution that includes the active ingredient. Once the rust is loosened by this method, you can scrub it away.
You can also use this method if you’re wondering how to get rid of rust in pots or how to get rust off mixer beaters – soaking is the answer!
