Building a LYE BATH to restore cast iron!

[@ResidentialGondola]

I come back to this so often that I am going to comment a quick guide: 0. Proper PPE before anything. Watch out on what kind of gloves you have and make sure they don't react with lye. 1. #2 or #5 plastic bin. Ideally with a lid. 2. 100% Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) normally in the form of crystal drain cleaner. 3. 1 lb of lye to five gallons of water. Water, then lye. 4. Can sit for a long time, multiple days (i.e. 4) if very crusty.

[@maryvest9508]

So much great info! Thanks Chris

[@TheRange7]

I'd never heard of this method. I have a couple of my great granny's beautiful cast iron skillets from the late 1800's. I can't wait to watch more of your content to learn how to bring them back to life. I associate lye with dangerous vapors or at least potentially dangerous. If I do this in my basement is there any risk the vapors can harm me? Maybe I'm totally wrong and thinking about a different chemical. Any input would be most appreciated. Looking forward to watching more of your content. Perfect timing too, a great winter time project. Sub'd and thanks

[@cast_iron_chris]

You don’t need to worry about fumes or doing this in your basement- mine is in my basement as well. Just follow these steps exactly and you’ll be fine.

[@RowesRising]

Thank you!!

[@cast_iron_chris]

Thanks for watching!

[@KenjiHubbard]

This was short, simple, and informative thanks Chris.

[@david22mullen77]

I've been searching for information. Love your videos. Can't find an answer, hopefully you can help. Can a lye and vinegar bath work similar to help restore my steel flat top griddle

[@liam.odonnell]

Hi Chris! I saw your response to using lye on cast iron products with an enamel coating. Does this also apply to Le Creuset products? If so, are you able to describe what dull would look like? Additionally, what are some other methods you would use instead?

[@Banana_Baggins]

I have been restoring skillets with the vinegar and lye bath method. I’ve done a vinegar, lye, then another vinegar. However after I’ve washed and scrubbed it’s still pulling black on a rag when wiped down, is this normal?

[@wouterkops5106]

Hey chris, amazing content! I just build a lei bath like this and put in my pans for about 30 hours. I think one of them was actully a nonstick pan (teflon or smt) with some scrubbing (and maybe another day in the bath) i think i could get it down to bare metal and get all the plastic off. You think it might be posible to season it just like a castiron one and get a nice protective layer? Any experience on this?

[@CortoMalteaser]

no, this is a horrible and dangerous idea. Teflon pans are layered Teflon and aluminum. They will not season like cast iron because they are not the same material. Teflon is highly, highly toxic when consumed and now your lye bath is full of it

[@ughievox2513]

Sure beats the "Rust Out" gallon at $14 each.

[@lindahansen55]

Exactly what do you do with the lye that you disposed of if you don't put it down a drain?

[@cast_iron_chris]

In the video I say how I put vinegar in it then throw it outside

[@lindahansen55]

@@cast_iron_chris apparently I hadn't watched the video to that part!

[@Rockhunter329]

Might also try citric acid (sold in stores for pickling etc) as vinegar is only ~5% acid, as acetic acid.

[@dominickdekauwe2454]

They dont have Roebic available in Canada, but We do have ZEP drain opener which has lye listed in the ingredients. It doesn't specify that its 100% lye. Is that okay?

[@cast_iron_chris]

Not quite sure. To be safe, the next thing you can do is find a soap maker. You need lye to make soap, so find out where they get theirs.

[@mwj9080]

I have that same question. Unfortunately they didn't have one that is 100% Lye. The only one that was available was Zep. I'm in the US though.

[@WebbedPete]

So, at 8.33 lb per gallon, that's about 42:1 ratio of water to lye. Not too strong :)

[@helenwheels3341]

Then what to do with the tub of toxic waste?

[@cast_iron_chris]

What’s toxic? Name it.

[@adahall9321]

Is this fine for enameled cast iron?

[@cast_iron_chris]

Yes but it may dull the enamel

[@Rockhunter329]

What Chris says. Enamel is silica based, and is slowly attacked by lye aka sodium hydroxide.

[@cookie.monster]

I have some steal pans that need to be done alswel as cast iron will it damage the stell ones

[@cast_iron_chris]

Works great for carbon steel

[@DavidBaker42]

@@cast_iron_chriswhat about stainless?