New Member from Minnesota

[Dan Farmer]

Hi all. I've been perusing this site for a few weeks now, and decided it was time to sign up so I can read and hopefully contribute to the forum.

I took an interest in old cast iron about a month ago when I found one particular cast iron skillet in a stack of them in an antique store. I knew right away that I had found something special, by the look and feel of it. Turned out to be a #5 large block logo Griswold. I now have 12 skillets of various makes and styles and one Krispy Korn pan from Wagner.

I started out cleaning the pans with spray on oven cleaner, but soon built a rudimentary electrolysis tub. Cleaned many of the pans that way, but since I can only do one at a time, a couple of days ago I set up a lye bath.

I've realized already that I need to slow down on my collecting... hit more estate sales and fewer antique stores and be more particular in what I purchase, but man, this sure is fun!

Dan

 

[DougH]

I've realized already that I need to slow down on my collecting... hit more estate sales and fewer antique stores and be more particular in what I purchase, but man, this sure is fun!

Welcome! Definitely stick with this idea. Antique stores are fun to look around and see what others have found, but you're normally paying retail prices there. Some deals can be found, but not many. For me, the best prices are at flea markets.

 

[MaxS]

Hi Dan,
I have had good luck with electrolysis, but never tried lye to clean cast iron.
Have you found that one works better than the other? (I never tried vinegar either)

 

[Dan Farmer]

Hi Dan,
I have had good luck with electrolysis, but never tried lye to clean cast iron.
Have you found that one works better than the other? (I never tried vinegar either)

Well, as you'll see in some other threads, electrolysis kills two birds with one stone... rust and the seasoning/carbonization. But at least with my setup, it is limited to one piece at a time. Lye, on the other hand, can clean as many pieces at once as your tank can hold. Doesn't hurt that it doesn't run your light bill up, either, I guess.

Vinegar works only on the rust and if you're not careful, can attack the iron itself too. I really haven't had to deal with any badly rusted pieces yet.

There is a whole section here devoted to the topic. Probably best to continue our discussion over there and leave this for introductions.