Sand Blasted Cast Iron

[Pat H]

I recently picked up a nice high base cast iron waffle maker. It had been painted flat black so I soaked in lye. The paint came off but the item looks like it has been sand blasted. It is silver in color and feels rough to the touch. Is there a way to season it back to black and make it usable.

Thanks for any advise out there.

[Doug D.]

Waffle irons are not usually used in such a way that calls for such drastic cleaning measures. Could it be nickel plated? Here's a Wagner toy iron that's nickeled:


Can you post a photo?

[Pat H]

Here is a picture.

I am pretty sure it has been sand blasted...any way to season it back to usable condition.

Attachment 104

[Doug D.]

It doesn't appear to be damaged, just extra clean. Totally clean bare iron is actually gray, not black. The paint has apparently been protecting it fairly well. It would not originally have had its surfaces polished post-casting. Pieces like this would have at most been tumbled. It's clean now, and you should be able to go ahead with an initial seasoning regimen. It will darken with use.

[Steve Stephens]

With the now rougher surface produced by sandblasting the irons can still be seasoned but sticking may be a bigger problem than before the sandblasting.