Cooking with slightly rusty pans is generally not recommended. Rust can negatively impact the taste and safety of your food, and it's best to avoid using rusty cookware whenever possible. Here's why:
Health concerns: Rust is essentially oxidized iron, and consuming rust particles can be harmful to your health. While a small amount of rust may not cause immediate harm, it's best to avoid ingesting rust altogether.
Altered taste: Cooking with rusty pans can result in an unpleasant metallic taste in your food. This can ruin the flavors of your dishes and make them less enjoyable to eat.
Food contamination: Rusty pans can harbor harmful bacteria that may contaminate your food. The rough surface of the rust can also make it harder to clean thoroughly, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Decreased cooking performance: Rusty pans may have uneven heating due to the damaged surface. This can lead to hotspots and unevenly cooked food.
If you encounter slight rust on your pans, it's best to take care of the issue before using them again. You can try the following methods to remove rust from your pans:
Scouring: Use a scouring pad or steel wool to scrub away the rust. Afterward, thoroughly wash and dry the pan to remove any remaining rust particles.
Vinegar or lemon juice: Soak the rusty areas in a mixture of vinegar or lemon juice and water for a few hours. The acid will help dissolve the rust. Scrub and wash the pan afterward.
Baking soda paste: Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the rusted areas, and let it sit for a while before scrubbing and washing.
Seasoning: After removing the rust, re-season your pan by applying a thin layer of oil and baking it in the oven.
Remember, prevention is better than cure. To avoid rust in the future, ensure your pans are thoroughly dried after washing, store them in a dry place, and, if possible, avoid leaving food in them for extended periods. Additionally, if the rust on your pans is extensive and difficult to remove, it's safer to replace them with new, non-rusty cookware.