New Addict

[JoshuaT]

Hey all, I'm fairly new to cast iron, but I'm thoroughly addicted now.

I started off with a couple newer pieces, Calphalon 12" skillet and grill pan. Big, heavy, pebbly, but they worked fine. My stove burners are a bit close together to use the big 12" pan while using other burners, so I started looking into some other pans and finding some cast iron at antique sales. I got hooked.

This is my collection now. I added a #4 3-notch Lodge, and a #6 large block Griswold, along with a modern #8 Lodge. Not pictured, I also got an enameled dutch oven and a couple tortilla pans from my family.

Still not done, I had been wanting to find an older #8 for the smoother interior (though my Lodge cooks and releases quite well). I found a 3-notch Lodge #8 and a muffin tin at a local "farm sale". Pretty rusty, but I figured I'd take a chance on them for $10 each.

I've been hitting it with vinegar and a wire wheel, not the smoothest interior, but so far it's better than my newer Lodge. It has a minor warp in the center, about the size of a quarter, the rest of it is dead-flat. We'll see how it looks after I finish cleaning it and get it seasoned. It will probably cook fine.

Last Items I'm really looking for are a camp stove and either a Stargazer or Field Skillet

 

[JMoss]

Welcome Joshua.

You are getting off to a good start. I am a little envious of that #4 Lodge. I've been looking for years and have never seen one.

I would suggest that you read the section on this site about cleaning with electrolysis. It works very well and you avoid the possibility of the wire wheel harming the CI.

Jack

 

[SpurgeonH]

Joshua, great start! You should try setting up an electrolysis tank for those rusty pans. It's a lot easier than scrubbing and it won't damage your pan like a wire wheel can.

 

[JMoss]

Well, it looks like two of the old f**ts agree

Jack

 

[SpurgeonH]

Haha! And I'm jealous of the #4 as well.

 

[JoshuaT]

Now you all have me questioning if it's a #4 or a #5...maybe my memory has failed me. I'll check tonight.

As for the lye/electrolysis methods, I live in a small apartment, not much room for a dedicated contraption. I used a small bucket with a vinegar solution, and the wire brush. The result was quite good. I see why people are concerned about using power tools on their vintage iron, but a wire brush used reasonably shouldn't cause any harm, and in this case it didn't. It took several passes through both the vinegar and the wire brush to finally get rid of all the rust and most of the staining/discoloration. The results before seasoning are below.

Overall shot, mostly good condition:

Close up of the cooking surface, here you can see the pitting:

The discoloration I wasn't quite able to get rid of:

 

[SpurgeonH]

That looks great, Joshua! Can't wait to see pics from when you get it seasoned!

 

[JoshuaT]

Turns out I was wrong, it is a #5 3-notch.

The new #8 is taking seasoning quite well. Using Crisbee, I'll do the final coat or two tonight and get some pictures. It's taken on more of a dark bronze color than black though.