Restoring Cast Iron

[Boss .300 winmag]

Starting a new thread for this that way when members searching for this topic it’ll be easier to find.

Well I went down the cast iron rabbit hole due to the fact I had some laying around that needed restoring.

Obviously I’m not an expert on this subject, just sharing my experiences, and helpful links I’ve found. There’s a lot of opinions on what’s the best method of seasoning cast iron.

The one in the pics is a Birmingham Stove and Range (BSR) according to what I can tell by the link below which has lots of good information on this subject.

https://castirongallery.com/

My youngest and her fiancee are getting it for Christmas.

I did another skillet for my oldest daughter and husband, it’s an American Brass and Iron (AB&I)12 inch.

And a very large Camp Chef dutch oven we bought when my son was in Boy Scouts, he and his wife are getting that. I don’t have finished pics of these because they are already wrapped up. I’ll get some pics of them tomorrow.

 After trying grape seed oil method on the YouTube video above on the AB&I 12 inch skillet, I cooked some bacon in it and it was sticking too much for my liking. Then I tried the method in the link below using flaxseed oil and believe it was a much smoother surface after it was done. But I didn’t try cooking in it due to I was running out of time to get the others done.

https://thesimplemamma.com/why-you-should-start-using-flaxseed-oil-to-season-your-cast-iron-skillet/?doing_wp_cron=1735086804.9984269142150878906250


After reading more about seasoning in this link  https://www.castironcollector.com/seasoning.php#google_vignette I learned about the different smoke points of oils.

So I changed my oven temp from 464 degrees to 450 degrees.


How to link for electrolysis.

https://realtree.com/timber-2-table-articles/how-to-build-an-electrolysis-tank-for-cast-iron-restoration?srsltid=AfmBOoqb7pcWW6ZnMAQVhjMPHCMmHaKIF-zz1p3OPueh9z0a-Gt4xxQS

[Boss .300 winmag]

I was at my oldest daughter’s house today and she knows I’ve been doing cast iron. 

She showed me a bunch a friend of hers gave to her since she was moving and couldn’t take it.

I’m going to be really busy.🤣

The pot on the top right is a Wagner. I haven’t looked up the rest yet.

[Special T]

Cool. I'm a huge cast fan.  I say bake in the oven. Wire wheel and preseason.  If it's too shot then sand but older cast shouldn't need sanding.

[highside74]

I'm jealous of the pots. They are real cool. I could picture a morning making oatmeal in one of those.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Cool. I'm a huge cast fan.  I say bake in the oven. Wire wheel and preseason.  If it's too shot then sand but older cast shouldn't need sanding.

Electrolysis was the only way I could get the corrosion out of mine. I tried the oven method it didn’t work.

[Special T]

Cool. I'm a huge cast fan.  I say bake in the oven. Wire wheel and preseason.  If it's too shot then sand but older cast shouldn't need sanding.

Electrolysis was the only way I could get the corrosion out of mine. I tried the oven method it didn’t work.

layers?

Super interested take pics and up date us.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Cool. I'm a huge cast fan.  I say bake in the oven. Wire wheel and preseason.  If it's too shot then sand but older cast shouldn't need sanding.

Electrolysis was the only way I could get the corrosion out of mine. I tried the oven method it didn’t work.

layers?

Super interested take pics and up date us.

The ones I finished I didn’t take before pics, I’ll take some of the next ones.

I have one of my pots I put in electrolysis Monday morning. I’ll post a pic when it comes out.

[wadu1]

The bottom three got my interest for sure. Electrolysis is the best process it may take longer but, in the end, you have a great product. 

[Encore 280]

I was watching one of those celebrity chefs one time and he said; "hot pan, cold oil" means non sticking. Not cold "cold" but room temp. So now I always get the pan hot first then the oil.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I was watching one of those celebrity chefs one time and he said; "hot pan, cold oil" means non sticking. Not cold "cold" but room temp. So now I always get the pan hot first then the oil.

That’s is correct.👍

[Boss .300 winmag]

Found this web site looking up the Wagner pot, which is actually a deep fryer.

https://castandclarabell.com/products/gorgeous-and-unique-1930s-wagner-ware-deep-fat-fryer-c-n-1265-restored-and-ready-to-use

Pre restoration pics.

[Boss .300 winmag]

The bottom three got my interest for sure. Electrolysis is the best process it may take longer but, in the end, you have a great product.

The one circled is Classic Brand, import from Korea.

It’s in really good shape, no pitting. Just need’s electrolysis bath to get all the layers of sticky oil off it.

[Boss .300 winmag]

@wadu1

1. 14 inch lodge skillet made in the USA markings on bottom, with a B mark on bottom handle, and a B under markings on bottom. Plus a 12 marking on top of handle next to skillet rim.

2. 1950s. No "made in USA” so before 1960, and the "sk" was added in the 1950s, 3 Notch Lodge Skillet.

3. Made in Taiwan 5 quart Dutch oven/sauce pan (markings on bottom) with lid.

4. Classic brand marking on the bottom, made in Korea skillet with lid.

5. Birmingham Stove and Refrigerator (BSR) Red Mountain, 2Qt markings on top of handle near rim, A marking on bottom at six o’clock, lid has 3 above handle, and 4 below handle.  While researching this pot I found out the lid belonged to it.

6. BSR 2 QT pot, markings on at bottom 12 o’clock 2SP, at 6 o’clock H. In the picture this one had the lid on it, but it didn’t belong to it.

Update: I joined a facebook group and the are arguing about this one. Some are saying it’s a Lodge.

7. Wagner Ware deep fryer I posted pics of in earlier post.

[Boss .300 winmag]

BSR 3 QT stew pot lid, wish I had the pot.

I’ll clean it up, someone will want it.

[slavenoid]

Your right Electrolysis is the way to go. Since you mentioned it taking longer than other methods you may want to go further down that rabbit hole perfecting your setup.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Your right Electrolysis is the way to go. Since you mentioned it taking longer than other methods you may want to go further down that rabbit hole perfecting your setup.

You have any tips for improvement?

I have a 12 volt vehicle charger, connected to a piece of stainless steel about 24 inches long, 2 inches wide on the big side, its an angle piece.

[slavenoid]

Electrolysis Facebook groups are helpful. My setup it two stainless washer drums stacked on each other in a 55 gallon plastic barrel. Surrounded 360 degrees by stainless is ideal.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Electrolysis Facebook groups are helpful. My setup it two stainless washer drums stacked on each other in a 55 gallon plastic barrel. Surrounded 360 degrees by stainless is ideal.

Wow that is the way to go.

Dang, we used to have one we tried to use in the garden but it was full of old laundry soap.

What other secrets are you holding out on?

[Boss .300 winmag]

Electrolysis Facebook groups are helpful. My setup it two stainless washer drums stacked on each other in a 55 gallon plastic barrel. Surrounded 360 degrees by stainless is ideal.

Why so tall? How deep do you put the cast iron in with ground wire needing to be above the water?

[CoryTDF]

Following

[slavenoid]

Electrolysis Facebook groups are helpful. My setup it two stainless washer drums stacked on each other in a 55 gallon plastic barrel. Surrounded 360 degrees by stainless is ideal.

Why so tall? How deep do you put the cast iron in with ground wire needing to be above the water?

Piece of wood suspending metal hooks or rods. I can dangle steel wire down if needed also.I'll post a pic sometime.

It's tall so you can dangle several pieces in at a time, or large skillets and long griddles. It helps to have it deep when the local little league needs their massive cast iron burner grates cleaned up for the concession stand.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Electrolysis Facebook groups are helpful. My setup it two stainless washer drums stacked on each other in a 55 gallon plastic barrel. Surrounded 360 degrees by stainless is ideal.

What gauge steel wire do you use?
Why so tall? How deep do you put the cast iron in with ground wire needing to be above the water?

Piece of wood suspending metal hooks or rods. I can dangle steel wire down if needed also.I'll post a pic sometime.

It's tall so you can dangle several pieces in at a time, or large skillets and long griddles. It helps to have it deep when the local little league needs their massive cast iron burner grates cleaned up for the concession stand.

[HarboritE]

So I have a few that I want to get back into commission. A few are pretty rusty . I was thinking about having them sandblasted but I think I’ve read somewhere that’s a bad idea.I don’t have the ability for electrolysis at this time. I may just try the oven method then a wire wheel. Have you guys ruined them trying to sandblast?

[Boss .300 winmag]

So I have a few that I want to get back into commission. A few are pretty rusty . I was thinking about having them sandblasted but I think I’ve read somewhere that’s a bad idea.I don’t have the ability for electrolysis at this time. I may just try the oven method then a wire wheel. Have you guys ruined them trying to sandblast?

I tried it with course walnut shells, all it did was remove the big stuff and polish the rest of the corrosion. Yes using glass, or sand ruins them.

If it has much corrosion the oven method won’t work. Wire wheels make groves that will have to be sanded out, not recommended.

It doesn’t take much to do the electrolysis, plastic tote car charger that’s not auto shut off, piece of steel that’s free of paint or other coatings, and something to suspend the cast iron overtop the tote. Don’t do it in a confined space gas that’s produced is flammable.

[slavenoid]

So I have a few that I want to get back into commission. A few are pretty rusty . I was thinking about having them sandblasted but I think I’ve read somewhere that’s a bad idea.I don’t have the ability for electrolysis at this time. I may just try the oven method then a wire wheel. Have you guys ruined them trying to sandblast?

If it's vintage or means something to you I wouldnt. Wire wheel and blasting will damage. Oven potentially will damage. E tank or acid techniques are really your only bet for rust. Im not a fan of acid but there's tutorials on youtube.

[LDennis24]

Just curious if any of you have tried soda blasting on cast iron? I know it works great for cleaning up old motorcycle carburetors without pitting or plugging small orifices. Then after cleaning you just boil it to dissolve any soda deposits that are stuck in grooves etc.  I have a wood crate full of Wenzel that needs cleaned up and this is what I was thinking of doing to get the rust off.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Just curious if any of you have tried soda blasting on cast iron? I know it works great for cleaning up old motorcycle carburetors without pitting or plugging small orifices. Then after cleaning you just boil it to dissolve any soda deposits that are stuck in grooves etc.  I have a wood crate full of Wenzel that needs cleaned up and this is what I was thinking of doing to get the rust off.

Soda and nut shells are the only blasting methods that don’t harm cast iron. I tried walnut shells and it didn’t work very well.

Don’t know about the boiling part as it’s probably just going to induce corrosion back into it.

[Special T]

Just curious if any of you have tried soda blasting on cast iron? I know it works great for cleaning up old motorcycle carburetors without pitting or plugging small orifices. Then after cleaning you just boil it to dissolve any soda deposits that are stuck in grooves etc.  I have a wood crate full of Wenzel that needs cleaned up and this is what I was thinking of doing to get the rust off.

Soda and nut shells are the only blasting methods that don’t harm cast iron. I tried walnut shells and it didn’t work very well.

Don’t know about the boiling part as it’s probably just going to induce corrosion back into it.

When I've had a really crusty Dutch oven from burning some ingredients I'll boil water in it to loosen crud then scrape wipe and toss in the oven at 250. Then I oil it up. I've never noticed rusting as a result.

[LDennis24]

Just curious if any of you have tried soda blasting on cast iron? I know it works great for cleaning up old motorcycle carburetors without pitting or plugging small orifices. Then after cleaning you just boil it to dissolve any soda deposits that are stuck in grooves etc.  I have a wood crate full of Wenzel that needs cleaned up and this is what I was thinking of doing to get the rust off.

Soda and nut shells are the only blasting methods that don’t harm cast iron. I tried walnut shells and it didn’t work very well.

Don’t know about the boiling part as it’s probably just going to induce corrosion back into it.

When I've had a really crusty Dutch oven from burning some ingredients I'll boil water in it to loosen crud then scrape wipe and toss in the oven at 250. Then I oil it up. I've never noticed rusting as a result.

Yeah you guys both make good points and that was my thought as well. The baking soda dissolves easily and if you do as Special T said though and immediately dry roast the pan you will get it before the rust comes back on.  Then re-season. I think I will try the soda on mine and let you guys know how it turned out. I recently pulled the box out and will be a while getting to it but I will definitely post results and pics on here.