ELECTROLYSIS | TIPS on BUILDING the Best E-Tank Setup | Cast Iron RESTORATION

I show you my E TANK SETUP. This is my best one yet. One of the BEST ways to restore your cast iron.
#asimplelifewithchrisandtara #e-tank #etank #electrolysis #castironcare #castironskillet #restorecastiron #etanksetup #castironpan #castironwok #washingsoda #armandhammer #restoration
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[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaa7hoyni92kqMU GO CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO. YOU CAN SEE THE AMAZING TRANSFORMATION OF A SKILLET WE PUT IN THE ETANK

[@8EACRESHOMESTEAD]

Wow! What a great idea to restore them with an E-tank! I’m new to the restoration process--great setup! 👍🏻

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Works great. Thanks for watching!

[@HomesteadFresh]

Been waiting for you to do a video on this, so awesome! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks so much for watching 😊

[@turdferguson5300]

My brother from another mother, you have your head out of your butt! I just discovered and subscribed to your channel. Thank goodness someone else is using stainless steel, it's soo much better than carbon for this application. I'll tell ya about my set up but I wouldn't change yours. My tank was a 55 gallon plastic pickle barrel cut to 24" tall and holds 35 gallons. By using a 35 gallon container I get two fills from one box of Super Laundry Soda. I use stainless steel sheet metal to fully line the inside of the barrel. I hang my pieces from 3/4" copper pipe with several positioning holes drilled into it for 1/4" J hooks. (usually 2 J hooks in each pipe) You'll need a heave jumper between the two pipes and the negative just clamps to the end of a pipe. My anode sheet metal lacks an inch reaching the top of the barrel so the pipe doesn't touch it. Sit down here comes the big one... hang your pieces inside a pillowcase to act as a filter keeping the anodes and tank cleaner longer. Just like a coffee filter the water will become stained, you can spray out the pillowcase between cleanings. I started with a pillowcase with a pool noodle zip tied to the top. I use a bed sheet sown into a large pillowcase/ tank liner now. I mix my Laundry Soda with a paint mixer for a variable speed drill. My anode sheets are bolted in with wingnuts for quick removal and cleaning. I have a cheap electric pressure washer for spraying off the skillets and cleaning anodes. And yes my tank is also setting on a furniture mover. My power supply is a Shumaker 1565 a 40 amp charger from Walmart. I keep a fan blowing on it to prevent it from heating up. My amperage depends on the surface area of the pieces in the tank. I like to stay in the 30 to 35 amp range. I can usually clean 3 to 4 skillets in 12 hours. The largest piece that's ever been in it was a 20" Griswold hotel skillet and unfortunately it wasn't mine. It fit in the tank better than it fit in the oven but both were maxed out. I clean for myself as well as two estate sale companies. For all the Safety Suzie's out there the stainless steel fumes don't explode when you spark a wire over the tank. That's bull that someone started and people repeat because they never tried it. Haha I see you putting your hand in the water, any6one is welcome to pee in my tank. They won't get but a drop in there before deciding that was a bad ides, 30 amps will light me up! You are also set up to clean on a larger level. By searching out estate sale companies in your area that are open all week with store fronts they benefit from cleaned cast iron. When they receive cast iron I get first pick. I usually take cast iron as payment if there happens to be something that I don't have. This keeps me from purchasing the more high end pieces and they aren't collectors so they don't care. Some store owners will trade cast iron with ya, just remember they have to make money on what they trade. Owners seem to like #8s and I can find them cheap. If a skillet is warped or cracked you can cut them into spatulas which trade well. My current load consists of 10 skillets, 4 dutch ovens w/ lids, and 2 chicken fryers w/ lids. Judging from your Lodge collection are you in the south? I bet there's BSR in there somewhere. I'm in SE Tn. north of Chattanooga. Thanks for this video, I look forward to watching the others.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. I really like the pillowcase idea. I don't clean as much as I used to back when I had a booth. I'm a Wagner guy myself although I do have a lot of Lodge, one complete single notch set and another nearly complete set. Going to do a video of what all is on my rack sometime. We're located in southeast Missouri. You should really look into a power supply unit, I went through several chargers before I finally got one. Thanks again, and happy cleaning.

[@turdferguson5300]

@@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara I was fortunate to find a no notch Lodge #14 that is marked Lodge in an arch at the top. I'm working on a set of one notch Lodge with a raised number on the handle. I need a #5, #6, #10 and up. I have them just not in raised numbers. My 3 notch blob set is missing a #4, #10 and up. I have some old Wagner and National skillets with the outside heat rings. Part of the fun for me is not paying high prices, my limit is $100 I spent that one time for a #14 when I had only been collecting for only a year. There are ways to find really good pieces without spending a fortune.

[@thedirtyhoehomestead]

This is what we need. I will definitely have my husband look into it. Thanks

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching 👍

[@BrainStormAcres]

Great system! Thanks for sharing. Take care.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

It really is. Works GREAT! Thanks for watching

[@charlieevergreen3514]

I learned several tips from this! Thanks for the info!

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Glad to hear it! Thanks so much for watching....we appreciate it

[@TheWildSeed]

Great video! Robert would love that. I’ll have to have him watch the video!!! 💜🌱

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks so much...we appreciate it 😊

[@simpleacrehomestead]

Cool video Chris, thanks for the information

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks so much for watching....glad you enjoyed!

[@castironkev]

The bubbles! 😆😆 Nice set up

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Yes!!! Bubbles lol Thanks man for watching ✌️

[@shanewilliams2021]

Awesome collection. Thanks for sharing!!

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks, and thanks for watching

[@shanewilliams2021]

@@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara it was a pleasure. Thank you again.

[@pierre6625]

Thank you for this very informative video. I love cast iron anything (my favorite are skillets). Your setup is great, I read that stainless steel was not a good conductor, but you proved them wrong. The explanation of the washing soda ratio with water was very useful. Have a good one and Best Regards

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks so much for watching. Glad you found it helpful. Can't go wrong with cast iron.

[@ronwalsh]

Got a subscriber here. I have been using various sized tanks for this for some time. Mostly my stuff is old British car parts. I like the idea of a big barrel.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Works great. Thanks for hanging out and subscribing. We appreciate it!

[@bryansloesshillshomestead4523]

Very nice setup 👍 I've been wanting to build one to restore several pieces of cast iron ware that I have. I have a bunch of computer power supplies on hand. Matter of fact I have old dryers on hand to get a drum. I also have a plastic barrel. I will be up and running in no time. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

So glad it was helpful. I think I will be busy cleaning some cast iron for a while lol Thanks for watching

[@miraclo3]

In case anyone is wondering about how to convert a computer power supply into a power supply that you can use for this all you need to do is chop off the 40 pin connector and there will be a small green wire. Take the small green wire and connect it to any black wire. The green wire is only used for turning on the power supply so you can put a switch in between if you want. Then take all the rest of the black wires and cut them and bunch them together and add a connector. Then take all the yellow wires and bunch them together and add a connector. The yellow wire is your 12 volt. If you want 5 volt just collect all the red wires together and add a connector. You can do it to both and switch between 5 and 12 volts. Just don't take the power supply apart if not sure what you're doing because of the high voltage capacitors could hurt you. But it's safe enough if you're just cutting and stripping wires.

[@mikerobinson6606]

Great Video Chris! Glad to see the PSU is still getting it done.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Good to hear from ya. Thanks again 👍

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks so much. I will look into that. I appreciate your help. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Let is know how it all goes.👍

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

@@Huester74 in fact he us going up now to look into it lol

[@suzeewills1249]

Thank you for sharing

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks for watching!

[@fordredneck87]

What size is that wash drum straight across the top I got a hold of one and it will not fit in my 50 gallon plastic barrel so now I'm looking for a bigger drum so my Wash Tub will fit down in mine is 23in

[@jpvoodoo5522]

With the 5 volt rail from that power supply, you could hook up a USB charge controller and charge your iPhone too.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

There ya go...

[@SouthernBlessedHomestead]

Ok I need a schematic and complete details on your power supply. Lol J/K That seems to be an easy setup. Great video. Love all the cast iron stuff you have. I think I spotted an RC Airplane in your garage I always wanted one of those. Lol

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Yea lol 👍

[@SouthernBlessedHomestead]

@@Huester74 ok thanks

[@SouthernBlessedHomestead]

@@Huester74 sounds easy lol Thank you

[@miraclo3]

all you need to do is chop off the 40 pin connector and there will be a small green wire. Take the small green wire and connect it to any black wire. The green wire is only used for turning on the power supply so you can put a switch in between if you want. Then take all the rest of the black wires and cut them and bunch them together and add a connector. Then take all the yellow wires and bunch them together and add a connector. The yellow wire is your 12 volt. If you want 5 volt just collect all the red wires together and add a connector. You can do it to both and switch between 5 and 12 volts. Just don't take the power supply apart if not sure what you're doing because of the high voltage capacitors could hurt you. But it's safe enough if you're just cutting and stripping wires.

[@MrFlippingHappy]

Nice video thanks ehhhh

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thank you!!

[@wrightfamilyhomestead]

Oh. My. Goodness. Cast iron heaven! I just learned so much! Chris do you do any restoration work for others? I have a dutch oven that was left on the wood stove and ruined. I miss using it, it was my favorite!

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

I keep telling him he needs to. Maybe if he gets that stove hooked up he will

[@wrightfamilyhomestead]

I would be his first customer! 😁

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

I'll pass that along 😊

[@georgea6403]

Great idea with the washer tub. Some say not to use stainless cause it puts out some kinda chemical that’s no good. I’m just learning this so I’m just asking your thoughts. Thanks

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks so much for watching. Questions are good...you can never stop learning. The advantage to stainless steel is that it does not corrode as readily as do other types of steel or iron. It is not unusual to see comments, however, that using stainless steel in an electrolysis setup creates a hazardous byproduct called hexavalent chromium. "Hex chrome", as it is referred to in the electroplating industry, is indeed a problem for those working in that industry, where, at the temperatures and voltages employed, it can be produced, vaporized, and released into the atmosphere. At the far lower voltages and temperatures commonly used for cast iron cleaning, however, hex chrome is not a concern.

[@Rockhunter329]

Hex Chrome, aka dichromate, is water soluble, and won't be released into the atmosphere. It will go down the drain with the spent electrolysis solution. I've seen several videos mention that dichromate won't be generated under lower amperage electrolysis conditions, but I've almost never seen anyone cite any actual test data, which as a retired chemist ... makes me a little nervous.

[@ScottsLifeOffGrid]

I have an off-grid cabin I would like to equip with cast iron cookware. I was looking at the prices of older cookware and also looked at the Lodge Blacklock series. I have listened to Thank you

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks for stopping by...we just subbed and are looking forward to checking your channel out.

[@ScottsLifeOffGrid]

@@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara Thank you very much

[@VictoriaG234]

I’m interested in learning more about Cast Iron. I have a couple pieces but I don’t feel comfortable in the areas of the cleaning, and the seasoning.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Be sure and check out our playlists on cast iron kzbin.info/aero/PLyyJQZ_2CKKYGRC4XBvrCWtJGKJJEORap Plus....search on youtube...lots of videos out on cast iron Thanks for watching

[@joeandsueoffgrid]

This just popped up from Facebook. Great info. I was horrified you would be electrocuted lol

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Yay...glad you found it. Thanks so much for stopping by and watching 😊

[@georgea6403]

Nice job. Can you get the info on how he made the power supply?

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Unfortunately, no. This was an old acquaintance who lives in Michigan. Thanks so much for watching.

[@a1930ford]

On your power supply, are all of the yellow wires all grouped together and then hooked to the hook on the 2X4 board and all of the black wires grouped together to hook onto the stainless steel drum? When I look on Ebay for a power supply, there are many different bunches of wires to these power supply units, and some are red, green, purple and yellow. Are all the other colored wires just taped off and not used for this setup? Thanks for any info on the power supply setup. Nice video.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

All the yellow wires are bunched together and hooked to my stainless drum, so that would be the positive side. All the black wires are bunched together and hooked to the hook that goes through the 2x4 to hang the iron from. That would be the negative side. All of the other colored wires coming out of the power supply are bunched and taped together, out of the way, they don't hook to anything. Hope this helps. Good luck and happy e-tanking! 👍

[@a1930ford]

@@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

@@a1930ford 👍👍

[@danieldelarosa8939]

Bro, sweet setup! Ask your friend how much he’d charge to make me a power supply!

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Unfortunately he was someone I knew in Michigan....maybe Google it. Sorry...wish I could help more.

[@camouflagegator1781]

Can u hang more than 1 pan at the time ? I see you have another hook.thx

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

No, only one at a time

[@santoscamacho3361]

I thougt about using a pool liner and have it drape over some 2x4 built like a frame of what you want..you can make it it as big as you want with thr pool liner...its cheap and it wont take up room when your done!..you can fold it up for the next time

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Hmmm interesting...never heard of trying that before. Let me know if you try it and how it works out for you.

[@terrysavage2745]

What device do you use for your charger do you use?

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Answered on your other comment 😊

[@user-vl4cv6cz2v]

okay so I know you've been asked a thousand time about the battery supply BUT... What's the wattage of the supply? Is it a 500, 700, 1,000 watt? Thanks!!

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks for watching. 700 watts is mine.

[@brintiff]

Graphite carbon anodes work better than stainless and no hazmat to deal with. Can be found surplus on ebay, usually used for edm

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Thanks...never have had a problem though

[@brintiff]

@A Simple Life with Chris & Tara I've seen your results, its obvious your system is working great,using graphite anodes would only improve bath life and leave you with a cleaner piece when you remove it from the bath. I only mentioned the graphite in case you anyone gives you an issue about using stainless

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

@@brintiff hey, we appreciate the comment! Always room for more learning. Thanks for taking the time to share ✌️

[@delwynjshelleyjr5434]

Stainless! Lol, well I guess he’s not dead yet. Graphite works so much better than any steel

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Hmm so that is what you use?

[@RustyBobbins]

What wattage is the power supply your friend set up?

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

700 watts is mine

[@RustyBobbins]

@@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara Thank you!

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

@thefuzzynavel you're welcome

[@skeets6060]

Ask your buddy that built the power supply if he could post a drawing and parts list

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Unfortunately, no. This was an old acquaintance who lives in Michigan. Thanks so much for watching.

[@jebbartram5078]

I just read that using stainless steel (which contains chromium) as an anode in the electrolysis process creates poisonous waste (chromates) in you electrolyte (yellow color). That is considered hazardeous waste and can not be dumped on the ground or down a drain. Please research this before you use stainless steel as an anode.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

We have and will continue to keep researching. Can never stop learning. Thanks for stopping by.

[@twestgard2]

That was my thought as well. Once you start breaking the stainless down at the atomic level, which is what electrolysis does, that free chromium is going somewhere. So you REALLY want to know where it’s going when you’re working on items used for food. Cast iron is porous so it’s going to absorb that liquid.

[@robbiemustian8460]

As a rule there is not enough energy used in this type electrolysis process to produce hexavalent chromium. There are test kits sold on Amazon to measure the chromium levels should you choose to set up an E-Tank with stainless anodes.

[@Evil_hag]

PLEASE DO NOT USE STAINLESS IN AN E-TANK!! As a fellow iron-head, I completely understand the draw to use stainless for its anti-rust practicality, but when used as an anode it produces hexavalent chromium ("hex chrome"). It's incredibly toxic (think Erin Brockovich) and at the end of the day I'd rather deal with cleaning the anodes than a potential laundry list of health complications. Please please please never use stainless, it's not worth it.

[@misterx489]

Bro don’t use stainless. Seriously don’t!

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Why? I mean, I prolly can guess your reply....but why?

[@joshlamarti6748]

Releases hexavalent chromium. Super carcinogenic.

[@terrysavage2745]

What device do you use for your charger do you use?

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

700 watt power supply... got tired of going through battery chargers. Thanks for watching