Cleaning & Removing Rust From Cast Iron - The Lazy Method

Before

After

 When you buy at yard sales and auctions, you invariably end up with things that need major cleaning. Cast iron is no exception. If you search Google you will no doubt find many different ways to clean the rust off of cast iron. Vinegar soaks, sandpaper, various hand tools, mineral oils, sand etc. That's too much work. I call my way The Lazy Method. I am busy. I have two boys, work as a nurse, & don't like to clean. The more time I have to spend cleaning the stuff I buy to sell the less time I have to do the things I enjoy. First you have to burn the accumulated oils & rust off. Traditionally the old folks put the item in hot coals, wood stove, fireplace etc overnight. I stick mine in the oven right on the rack. Push the self-clean button, turn the fan vent on above the stove, & go surf the internet, take the kids swimming, read a book - whatever. It will stink, so don't do it when you have company coming. My clean cycle takes 4 hours.
When the cycle is over & the pans have cooled enough to handle, rinse off with your sink sprayer then scrub in hot water. I usually use a SOS soap pad. I was out of them when I did the waffle maker so used a sponge with a scrubbie side & just a little dish soap. It all comes right off. 
Once you have scrubbed, rinsed, and dried wipe out the oven. Any rust that is in the bottom of the oven will be loose & dusty in texture. It wipes right out in seconds. Turn it back on at 250. Put a cookie sheet or something your item will fit in on the rack. 
Now you need to re-season the cast iron or it will rust again. Food will stick to it as well. There is a difference of opinion as to what kind of oil to use. I am not fancy. Some of my pans are well over a 100 years old. Do you think my ancestors used fancy mineral oils? Me either. They likely used lard, later maybe shortening. I use what I have on hand, which is either Crisco or vegetable oil. I use a paper towel to wipe it on, making sure every surface is covered. Put it on the cookie sheet to catch any drips for one hour @ 250 degrees.   That's it! The oven does most of the work. Love that!