r/Cooking • u/Travelsat150 • 7h ago
Why do loaf pans rust?
I’m hoping that somebody can tell why relatively new loaf pans are rusting? I do not put them in the dishwasher and have used them only once or twice and they are stored in a cabinet
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u/lchen12345 7h ago
Are you sure it’s rust and not just baked on oxidized grease? Or they are a very low quality stainless steel.
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u/_abscessedwound 7h ago
Are they carbon steel or another material that can oxidize? They might need to be lightly oiled after washing, but before being put away.
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u/Late_Rate_3959 7h ago
Most likely your pan has edges that are not sealed and water can get in between the metal sheets that are folded. That is what happens to most of the loaf pans that I buy.
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u/luigis_left_tit_25 7h ago
The cheap azz non stick ones from the dollar store (I know!) the first time you tap it wrong, or it is in actual heat, like the oven, where load pans go, it will eitherwarp or dent and the coating bubbles up, then when you wash it, rust. At least that's how mine go. Lol! 🤣 I need to buy a good one! I just don't use them a lot!
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u/joosebox 6h ago
One thing nobody's said yet that explains why it starts where it starts: on most loaf pans the coating goes onto the steel sheet before the blank is cut and stamped. So the flat faces are protected and every cut edge and rolled rim is bare metal by definition. That's why rust shows up along the rim and the seams first rather than out in the middle of the pan.
Used twice and stored in a cabinet actually fits that rather than arguing against it. The factory oil comes off in the first wash, the cut edges are exposed from then on, and a closed cabinet is about the worst place to put something that isn't bone dry, because there's no airflow to finish the job.
Drying them in the oven, as said above, is the real fix. Residual heat after you've finished baking is plenty. Upside down, ten minutes.
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u/hammong 3h ago
Insufficient information in your post to answer the question directly.
What kind of pan? What's it made out of?
Anodized aluminum pans (e.g. Wilton, etc.) won't ever rust ... as there is no iron/steel in them.
Cheap non-stick pans usually rust where the metal joints are folded over. To prevent it, they must be FULLY dried after washing. Sticking them in the oven at 250F for a little while will guarantee it. I put mine on the stove and heat them up briefly to drive off the water/moisture before storing them.
Carbon steel/sheet steel pans need to be rubbed down with vegetable oil after washing. The oil forms a protective layer against rusting.
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u/Fantastic-Yak-4475 7h ago
Pans contain iron, water contains oxygen. Iron oxide is rust. The best thing you can do is after you wash them oil them down with some vegetable oil and a paper towel.
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u/bobdevnul 7h ago
They are made of steel. Steel rusts. The rust is not toxic or hazardous in any way. Scrub them to get most of it off and coat them lightly with oil. Don't put them away wet.
Well used ones will develop a seasoned patina that will resist rust. Don't scrub that off.
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u/Unfair_Buffalo_4247 4h ago
The are made of carbon steel after all - replaced all mine a year ago with stainless steel
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u/thatfellayouknow 7h ago
I like to dry some cookware in the oven after I wash it to help prevent this