Cleaning old Cast Iron Cookware

I have read you can put the piece in a self cleaning oven through the cleaning cycle and it will burn off the carbon and built-up grease. I have never done this and don't know of anyone who has. Also don't know if there is any danger of the heat damaging the cast iron.

Of course after doing this you would have to scrub and start the seasoning process as though it was a new piece.

If you have a local extention service, a call to them might come up with some suggestions. You might also call or e mail a manufacturer such as Lodge and ask them what they suggest to remove all the gook that is the cause of the problem. Let us know what answers you come up with.