Janin Won an Auction and Accepts a Challenge

J

Janin Hendry

Member
Hello,

I have had my daily drivers for cast iron for a few years now, but this weekend I won an auction with 16 pieces. I am going to clean them up one-by-one. Anything amazing here? I am probably going to lye bath them and re-season one at a time. Anything in particular that stand out about anything? Or special things I should do for ultimate repair and care? I do know about electrolysis, but its not currently an option.
2024_05.26_Cast Iron 1.jpeg2024_05.26_Cast Iron 2.jpeg2024_05.26_Caat Iron 7.jpeg2024_05.26_Cast Iron 3.jpeg2024_05.26_Cast Iron 7.jpeg
 
All I can tell you is that a lye bath doesn't do a thing for rust. For that you'll need electrolysis or at least a vinegar bath. With vinegar, follow the guidelines on strength and time or risk damage to the iron.
 
I see a couple of Griswold Iron Mountain pans in there (top pic, 1st row, center and right side). Always looking for some of them but haven't found any yet. That's where I'd start, but that's just me. You have enough interesting pieces in there that you could start anywhere and come out with a winner.
 
I will look into a vinegar bath as well as electrolysis for the rust on these pieces. My current cast iron had some pretty good rust on it from when my husband found it at a job site outside. 10 years outside and a bit of a soak did the trick with them. They are perfect for almost everything I want to do with them. I am sure there are instructions on here for eelectrolysis, but could someone direct me to them? If not, I can read and learn.
 
Little update: I have been looking more closely at each pan and will try to document the restoration process. Some things I may need assistance on, such as one griddle has the original wooden handles. They are looking fairly sad, but I don't want to replace or repair them in just any old way. That is kind of outside of the cast iron world, but relevant, so any help would be greatly appreciated when I get to that piece.

I think I am going to start with one of the small, less rusty pans, so I can feel like I am accomplishing something when I have a moment and perfect my cleaning technique.
 
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