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Off Topic Area => Other Hobbies => Topic started by: Phishisgroovin on March 31, 2018, 10:35:41 PM

Title: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: Phishisgroovin on March 31, 2018, 10:35:41 PM

I have taken up a new hobby, Buying really rusted pots & pans here and there.
I stock piled a bunch over the last couple years.

This last week i made an electrolysis tank in my back yard, i recently found a severely rusted Dutch oven, i soaked it in my E-tank for two days.
The rust fell off, rurned the spot under it black, so i just emery cloth scrubbed that area. wouldnt come off all the way. Leaving it adds character.

I am happily watching bubbles in my tank, its kind of fun learning from youtube lol!

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: peruano on April 01, 2018, 06:15:42 AM

Some of the cast iron models are real collectors items (as in pricey).  Is Washington dry enough to keep them rust free or do you need to move to Yuma?

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: Stonemon on April 01, 2018, 08:09:48 AM

Just a quick dip in the 24" slab saw sump keeps the rust away here on the wet side of Oregon!   :toothy5:

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: lapidaryrough on April 01, 2018, 08:55:03 AM

After the cleaning, oven to 500 F and oiled cast iron in oven for a hour.

  Once you burn the carbon off, time for burning of the Porter house beef.
 

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: Orrum on April 01, 2018, 09:01:32 AM

X2 you gotta season them in the oven! Forgotten skill. My cast iron is basically none stick cooking.

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: vitzitziltecpatl on April 01, 2018, 10:33:07 AM

Yep. Season. Then don't let anyone wash them in soapy water or ya' have to do it all over again.

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: Enchantra on April 01, 2018, 11:49:40 AM

I agree with seasoning the cast iron.  It's easy to do!
Mia Benson (Spiritbearbeads) is the cast iron queen.  She collects the pans from estate sales and markets and cleans them up and re-seasons and uses them camping and for grilling etc.
I would contact her for some good tips on how to keep those pans and that dutch oven looking like new.  She lives in Arkansas, and gets some wicked humidity, so she has dealt with the rust issue and knows how to keep it all away.

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: PhilNM on April 01, 2018, 12:09:29 PM

best way is to simply put them in the campfire and burn off all the rust and crud.  Acid baths can weaken and ruin the metal.

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: Phishisgroovin on April 01, 2018, 01:54:56 PM

my latest pot
Just needs to go into the oven for awhile to season it.

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: vitzitziltecpatl on April 01, 2018, 03:22:15 PM

Those look good! Seein' all that cast iron cookware is makin' me hongry... .

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: Rockoteer on April 01, 2018, 10:02:07 PM

I had so many in my RV my mileage was going down down down. 

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: Phishisgroovin on April 02, 2018, 09:04:56 AM

I still have to season this one, need to bake them at 450 with crisbee or crisco coated all over them.
I want them black. i finished two frying pans yesterday and have another in the pot a wagner unmarked.
I will use the wagners here at home, lodge will be camp pans.

Title: Re: restoring cast iron pans
Post by: Phishisgroovin on April 02, 2018, 06:51:27 PM

I will never fire a pan or sand blast. Fire warps,  sand blast takes away metal.
I am using only washing soda, water and 2amp trickle charger.