What do you all think about this first time cleaning?

[MattyC]

I have figured out how to work the electrolysis tank. I'm getting this grimy Griswold #6 skillet cleaned out. After I am done washing it down, it tends to immediately develop this what looks like minor surface rust. Is this a big deal or will the seasoning cover it all up?

I find I don't really have the time to have a pan sit in the electrolysis all day and still be able to immediately season afterwards. So, I dry them off in the oven for a bit at 250 degrees figuring that when it's time to season, I can just run them in the electrolysis for an hour or so prior to doing so.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
Matty

 

[Doug D.]

It's not unusual and called flash rust. If you were seasoning right away, you would just proceed normally and it would wipe off with the excess oil. If you wait to season and it's kept dry, there shouldn't be any real difference. You could probably just scrub it down one more time with a S/S scrubber, dry it in the oven and season.

http://http://www.castironcollector.com/seasoning.php

 

[Shawn R]

What I've been doing for a few months now is after etank, scrubbing, and washing, dry it off really well with a towel. Then buff it good with a different dry towel. It has to be dry. I put it in the "to be seasoned" pile until I get enough for a oven load. As long as it stays in the climate control house it wont flash rust.

 

[BenjaminO]

I agree with Shawn R, towel drying is the way to go. If you are thorough you can completely avoid the flash rusting and get a piece of dry, gray iron. Your towel will become the same color though, permanently.
Congratulations on your successful electrolysis!