Over time your muffin pans and other cookware may get rusty. This is not very appetizing to see on your cookware and may have some negative health consequences. You want to learn how you can remove the rust from your pans, so they can be used again. This post will give you some options for removing rust from cookware. Keep reading to learn more.
Remove rust with either vinegar and lemon or baking soda. Create a paste with equal parts baking soda and water. Place it on the rusty areas for one hour. Scrub, rinse, and repeat as needed. Otherwise, use vinegar and lemon juice to break down the rust. Rinse and repeat as needed.Â
Now that you know a couple of ways to remove rust from your baking ware and muffin pans, you probably have more questions. Are there any other methods to remove rust from pans? Is eating food from rusty pans unhealthy? You probably want to know what causes pans to get rusty, so you can take appropriate preventative measures. Keep reading to learn more.
How To Remove Rust From Muffin Pans
The most common household products you can use to remove rust from pans are vinegar and baking soda. In addition to these methods, you may also use a potato or purchase a rust removal product. The best method is to use what you have on hand, let it soak over a period of time, and scrub the rust off the surface of the pan. This section will break down the options and the steps to remove rust.
Baking Soda
Mix equal parts water and baking soda to make a paste. Rub the paste over the muffin pan or cookware and let sit for an hour. Use a scouring pad to scrub. Rinse and repeat if needed. You can also use baking soda to do a deep clean on your muffin pans.
Mix about one tablespoon of baking soda per two cups of hot water. Turn on your oven to 350 and pour the mixture into each muffin cup. Fill each cup about halfway or a little more and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes. When the pan cools off enough to touch it, then you can start scrubbing with a scouring pad.
Vinegar
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Add some lemon drops and let this mixture sit on the rust for a few minutes. Scrub with a scouring pad, rinse, and repeat as needed. This amount of time may not be effective, so you can allow the pan to soak with vinegar solution for one hour up to 12 hours or longer.
Rust Remover
You can use a stainless steel rust remover that is quick and easy to use. Just apply the spray and wipe off the rust. Make sure to thoroughly clean your muffin pans or cookware after using rust remover. Use dish soap, hot water, and hand wash your pans to clean the pan after using the rust removal product.
Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Rust Remover And Polish Kit
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Why Do My Muffin Pans Rust?
Rust occurs when moisture comes into contact with your pans for a long period of time. This typically happens when pans are put into the cupboard before they are completely dried. The water can rest in the corners of each cup in your muffin pan. There are more areas for water to hide and sit in muffin pans than other cookware.
You can reduce the likelihood of rust by hand-washing your pans and making sure they are completely dry before putting them in the cabinet. Place your pans in a dark, dry, and cool place to provide them with the most longevity.
Is It Safe To Use A Rusty Baking Pan?
According to the USDA, rust is not food-safe and shouldn't be ingested. The agency recommends removing rust on any pan or kitchen utensil before using it. Rust is unlikely to cause harm if ingested in small doses. Rust is simply iron oxide, which naturally occurs at certain levels in the water. It is possible to have too much iron, but it is more likely to occur from using supplements.
What Are The Side Effects Of Iron (Rust) Overexposure?
While it is rare for iron overload or overexposure from rusty cookware, you should be aware of the symptoms. Common side effects from getting too much iron are fatigue, joint pain, and abdominal pain. More severe side effects from iron poisoning are irregular heartbeat, heart attack, or liver disease.
How Do You Deep Clean A Muffin Tin?
The most effective method for deep cleaning a muffin tin is to mix hot water with baking soda. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. You can mix one tablespoon of baking soda with 2 cups of hot water. Pour each muffin cubby 1/2 to 3/4 full and place the muffin tin in the oven for 15-20 minutes. When the muffin tin is cool enough to touch, use a scouring pad to scrub all sections of the muffin pan.
How Do You Keep Your Bakeware From Rusting?
Heat, humidity, and other forms of moisture will contribute to the formation of rust on your bakeware. It is best to store your pans in a cool, dark, and dry place.
Before placing your pans in the cupboard, make sure they are completely dry. Muffin tins are more prone to rusting because there are more places for water to hide. Handwash the pan shortly after use to prevent rust and increase the longevity of the cookware.
What Pans Are Rustproof?
The best material pan to use is aluminum. Aluminum is less likely to rust than other types of pans, but certain manufacturers say their products will never rust. One of these manufacturers is Nordic Ware, which sells natural aluminum cookware made only with aluminum.
According to manufacturer guidelines, you should only hand wash these pans. It is important to not use the dishwasher, as this can increase the likelihood of rusting.
Nordic-Ware Rust-Free Natural Aluminum Muffin Pan
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Is Rust A Problem On Kitchen Utensils?
According to Fox News and a statement from toxicologist James Woods Ph.D. from the University of Washington Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, there aren't any studies proving any significant health issues from rust exposure on kitchen utensils or pans. Woods still suggests that you should buy new cookware because it is not worth taking the risk.
You can use one of the rust removal procedures we outlined, instead, or purchase new cookware when it becomes too rusty. When choosing new pans, utensils, and knives, you may wish to find products that are rust-proof or resistant. Shun knives are made of stainless steel and will not rust.
For more information about these rust-proof knives, check out this article. What are Shun Knives Made of? [And Do They Rust?]
What Kitchen Items Are Prone To Rust?
As we have discussed, exposure to moisture increases the likelihood of rust. Tea kettles are one of the most prone items to develop rust in the kitchen. This can happen from water sitting in the kettle for long periods of time. You can prevent the rust buildup by regularly cleaning your tea kettle. Make sure water doesn't sit in the kettle after you have poured yourself a glass.
There is no such thing as a rust-proof tea kettle because it all depends on how well you take steps to prevent rust from forming. Some manufacturers have made tea kettles that are rust-resistant and can last for a long time if you take the proper steps.
In addition to removing the water from your tea kettle after using it, you should check out this post for more ideas to prevent rust: Do Le Creuset Kettles Rust?
Polivar Stainless Steel Rust-Resistant Tea Kettle
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In Closing
The rust that occurs on pans rarely causes side effects, but the USDA says you should not use cookware the contains rust. You can easily remove rust from your muffin pans or other cookware by using baking soda or vinegar with a scouring pad. You can use the baking soda with the heat of the oven to do a deep cleaning of your muffin tin. And you can also choose to purchase a specific rust removal product or purchase rust-proof cooking pans.
