The cast iron thread

[sgtsandman]

We're laughing at this, but I wonder whether occasionally stripping the seasoning on cast iron cookware and redoing it might be a good idea. It would be for food safety to minimize bacteria. For any other kind of cookware, having baked-on oil and grease is usually not considered desirable.

I remember my maternal grandmother having iron bakeware that had old seasoning, and everything baked in it picked up an odd, unpleasant metallic flavor. So this is a serious question. I've dealt with food poisoning and it's not fun.

There are times when it becomes necessary. If they are really rusty or nasty is a couple.

The build up on the one skillet I have was pretty darn thick. I had to use a flap disk on an angle grinder to remove it. It just laughed at the wire wheels.

It still has a bit of a bronze coloring to it but is slowly getting back to a proper black as time goes on.

 

[Roert42]

Decided on a use for my cauldron.

 

[sgtsandman]

View attachment 91396
Decided on a use for my cauldron.

The fire is supposed to be under the caldron and the witches brew inside it.

 

[Roert42]

I would love to use it to make a big pot of venison stew, but I just don’t have that many friends.
Plus then I would have to actually fix the giant crack in the side.

May still happen.

 

[sgtsandman]

I would love to use it to make a big pot of venison stew, but I just don’t have that many friends.
Plus then I would have to actually fix the giant crack in the side.

May still happen.

You can repair cast iron but you need to know what you are doing. The cast iron has to be heated to a certain temperature before it can be welded. There is more to it than that but I think you’ll get the idea.

That would be an awesome way to serve up food for a group of friends. It’s not something you see every day.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Oxy/acet and a brazing rod is my first choice for cast iron. One day I'll try welding but I don’t have the rod for that... plus then there is pre and post heat needed which is time consuming.

 

[oldgeek]

Oxy/acet and a brazing rod is my first choice for cast iron. One day I'll try welding but I don’t have the rod for that... plus then there is pre and post heat needed which is time consuming.

On something to cook with? Maybe if brazing a handle on. Don't know if nickel would be ok.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Newest acquisition, a tortilla maker. Got it in Sally Ann for $8.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I think high nickle is what you want to weld cast iron.
I don't know if brazing is ok or not for cooking surfaces. I'd have to look into it.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

My stepfather was a very experienced welder for a naval shipyard. He was able to weld cast iron because he was that good, but he noted it's very hard to do right. Usually drilling holes to stop a crack and then brazing to seal the crack and holes is the easiest solution, but brass alloys are not good with food. Don't use a brazed pot/pan to cook food.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I think high nickle is what you want to weld cast iron.
I don't know if brazing is ok or not for cooking surfaces. I'd have to look into it.

Yeah, nickle rod is usually your best bet.

 

[Roert42]

I had actually planned to weld the crack with some Ni99, pre heat in the fire pit, then leave it set on the embers overnight to post heat. never got around to it.

Like others said, not sure how good of an Idea that would be for food.

 

[oldgeek]

There are nickel plated cast iron cookware. Nickel is in 304 stainless steel. However there are some that have an allergy to nickel.

 

[sgtsandman]

There are nickel plated cast iron cookware. Nickel is in 304 stainless steel. However there are some that have an allergy to nickel.

I’ve never hear of a nickel allergy. Silver and some other metals used in jewelry, yes but nickel is a new one on me.

 

[oldgeek]

I’ve never hear of a nickel allergy. Silver and some other metals used in jewelry, yes but nickel is a new one on me.

It was new to me also, but I'm wondering if "allergy" is a misnomer. I'm thinking more along the lines of heavy-metal toxicity.