Is this Fire damage???

So I received two older lodge pieces from my grandmother. She told me my grandfather tried to clean them years ago via the fire method. I can't get them clean by hand (used vineger, steel wool and scotch pad method). Are these fire damaged or do I just need to get a wire wheel for my drill and get after it?
Thanks in advance!

Mike,
That redish color can be and indicator of fire damage. If you have a battery charger, set up an e-tank. It will remove all the rust. See this page for instructions.
http://www.castironcollector.com/cleaning.php#electrolysis

Good luck

Jack

The reddish colored patches "kind of" look like fire damage, but if not, I don't know if steel wool, vinegar, or ScotchBrite will necessarily take whatever else it might be off. If it is fire damage, a wire wheel may not be the answer, either. If it's not oxidation or scale, some time in a trash bag, coated with Easy Off HD might be worth a try, too.

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