Cast iron pans

[Otter 1200]

FIL bought an old house built in the 40’s right before he passed away in 2016 (you can tell house was built during WWII, basement has 12”+ concrete walls-bomb shelter) People that owned it left everything as part of the deal, I helped clean it out after he passed away. Along with a ton of other old crap was a pretty good lot of Cast iron pans. No one had lived in the house in 5+ years and they were in bad shape. I started cleaning the 1st one this week-just to see how bad it would be, surprising is the pans only have sizes and numbers, no MFG information. Anyway, Been studying/reading as much as I can about reconditioning them. Cleaned the first one over the last few days and started re-seasoning tonight, not sure they are worth saving after the work in this 1st one. Any of you guys have a good simple method? I went with oven cleaner, sanding, oven cleaner, sanding, etc. Seasoning is oil coating, 450 for 30 minutes, repeat, 4 times.

[Jozie & Me]

Research lye bath and electrolysis

Both take some of the elbow grease out of the process.

[Johnny Reb]

Yep you need to make an E-tank.


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[Hosscat]

What they said. If it gets to be too much work, I’ll gladly take them off your hands.

Post pictures when you’re done. I’m betting you’ve happened on to a lot of southern mystery skillets.

[Steelin' Ducks]

Wire brush on a drill or grinder. Then fry lots of bacon.

[MKW]

Often those unmarked skillets turn out to be 3-notch Lodge pans, which are the old, good Lodge skillets.

[JBtflo]

Try here: https://www.reddit.com/r/castiron/

You can post pics of your pans and someone will know what they are.

Electrolysis

[scdiver]

This works too.

Post some pictures.

[Hosscat]

Oven cleaner and lye will both work more efficiently at warmer temperatures. Electrolysis doesn’t matter as much with temperature. Electrolysis tank can also be used to recondition tools and parts of you need it later.

[Tha Dick]

I heard Glennda was the expert on cast iron.

[2thDoc]

i think it was bolt.

i get them confused a lot, though....

[Highstrung]

I've thrown away several lodges over the years.. I'm like elbow grease and my time for what? I chunked a dutch over not to terribly long ago.

[reeltight]

Wire brush on a drill or grinder. Then fry lots of bacon.

Actually, contrary to popular belief, bacon is not good for “new seasoning”. Sure it does good in a well seasoned pan but it’s to acidic for new season and will break it down...likely spot stripping the pan.

The best thing to cook several times in a newly seasoned pan is fatty hamburger meet and onions.

[FishSticker]

Actually, contrary to popular belief, bacon is not good for “new seasoning”. Sure it does good in a well seasoned pan but it’s to acidic for new season and will break it down...likely spot stripping the pan.

The best thing to cook several times in a newly seasoned pan is fatty hamburger meet and onions.

Just make sure its dry before you heat it ona glass smooth top....

[WNM]

I've put them in the oven on self clean with good success. It will be down to silver metal ready to be reaseasoned.

[reeltight]

Just make sure its dry before you heat it ona glass smooth top....

I had to throw them britches away.

[FishSticker]

I had to throw them britches away.

Honest to goodness, I thought one of the kids discharged a scattergun in the house...

[Hosscat]

I highly recommend Buzzy Wax for seasoning. This info is helpful as well.

[ReelHard]

Honest to goodness, I thought one of the kids discharged a scattergun in the house...

What's the backstory lol

[reeltight]

What's the backstory lol

Not 100% sure what happened exactly. Was it a bad casting? Was water stuck in the pot or was water trapped under the pot? Again...not 100% sure but I always stick my pans on the over and use heat to dry them out and then oil them slightly before putting them away. This night, we were in the kitchen doing a little clean up and I put the dutch oven on the cook top to dry it out and after a few minutes of being on the stove the pot busted. Literally cracked in half. It was the loudest kerbloom you'd ever hear in the kitchen short of a gas explosion. Ears ringing, dazed and confused, checking body and loved ones for guns shots and/or shrapnel. It's all a blur from there but the end result was a lodge cast iron dutch over split in two on our glass cock top. Steam trapped somewhere, under it or in the pan itself had somewhere to go and no way to get there....kerbloom...