Nontoxic ways of removing carbon deposits from cast iron pan

[mathnerd]

My cast iron skillet has a lot of black carbon deposits on the inside. I have a lot of the black stuff coming loose along with the food every time I use a spatula during cooking. I would like to strip all the black gunk off the skillet and season it again. I don't want to use oven cleaner, lye etc. because I am sensitive to a lot of chemicals.

Is there a nontoxic way to remove this? Internet searches turn up salt, vinegar and even ketchup! None of this has worked so far. Anyone has tips to share? Thanks.

[EKS]

You could try using fireplace ash and a bit of water (make a sort of paste).  Keep rubbing until it comes off.  

 

Disclaimer:  I have not done this with a cast iron skillet, but I have done it on our stainless stovetop (it does scratch a bit for anyone thinking of trying it) and it works like a charm.

 

Note that lye is not toxic-it's caustic, which is different.  Also note that the traditional way to make lye is by soaking ashes in water.

[Forget-Me-Not]

Steel wool + elbow grease ;)

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

IIRC, you can put it in a self-cleaning oven and run the self-clean cycle.

[gardenmom5]

IIRC, you can put it in a self-cleaning oven and run the self-clean cycle.

 

an oven cycle will burn everything off your cast iron - including all the previous seasoning and it will have to be reseasoned.

 

we have a steel scrubber, and extremely hot water.

do you oil your cast iron before you use it?  for somethings, you need to do that even if it is seasoned.

[stephanier.1765]

Salt. Lots and lots of salt with lots and lots of elbow grease.

[redsquirrel]

Salt. Lots and lots of salt with lots and lots of elbow grease.

 

That.  It will clean it down to shiny metal if you take it that far. I have personally done it myself. I think I made a paste of salt and vegetable oil? Oil provides a lubrication, allowing the salt to scour, without encouraging the salt to melt, like water will.

[zoobie]

Salt and a cast iron scrubbie The Ringer Stainless Steel Chainmail Cast Iron Cleaner, XL 8x6-Inch

[MEmama]

I'm a recent convert, but cast iron still confuses me.

 

What's the difference between the "seasoning" and what the OP is describing?

 

I wash my cast iron pan from time to time (yes, with dish soap) and then I'll sometimes get black flakes in my eggs or whatever like she is describing, but just once after washing. Then it's back to normal. Is it a concern? I though if scrubbed too much one would have to start all over again?

[zoobie]

Char is burned on stuff. A well-seasoned pan is smooth. If there are chunks or flakes, it needs a scrubbing and oiling.

[Liz CA]

I used a sander on an old Wagner pan. Came out like new.

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

an oven cycle will burn everything off your cast iron - including all the previous seasoning and it will have to be reseasoned.

 

we have a steel scrubber, and extremely hot water.

do you oil your cast iron before you use it?  for somethings, you need to do that even if it is seasoned.

 

Ah, I thought that's what we were talking about, since the OP mentioned seasoning it again. I thought she was wanting to start from scratch. 

[mellifera33]

Sand? 

[happypamama]

I second the suggestion to get a Ringer! Cleans cast iron beautifully.