Placer Gold Smelting: Revealing the Secret Art of Using Potato and Mercury

[@the4thj]

OH! Cody's LAB mention! SO COOL!

[@davidvasko6300]

My wife calls you her Bacon and Beans Miner. We never miss an episode You make us much better prospectors/miners Thank You.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

That is awesome!

[@MissionaryForMexico]

Jeff I learned a lot from this one video. I had no idea what the process involved. It seems like a lot of tedious work to get such a small reward in the amount of gold you acquire. But I do know gold is very expensive in weight! Thank you for taking the time to show the sequence of events! Outstanding Sir! I would love to go try panning for gold. It seems like fun and rewarding too. Thank you once again!

[@Popashistory]

Good safety built in to this video, thank you. Us old timers used to put the amalgam in the potato, roast the potato and then remove the gold button. Then we would put the potato into a pot of water and mash it thoroughly and the mercury would collect in the bottom of the pot. Re-use it and away you go. Not very clean mercury but still works. The even older timers would hold the mercury in their mouths while they were panning. Spit it into the pan and then put it back in their mouths for the next pan. None of them had any teeth for some reason.

[@กันญาดาพิชญศิริกุล]

😢 please from Google please 🙏😢

[@korndog61]

codys lab shoutout made me happy have been watching him for ages

[@Askjeffwilliams]

we have too

[@amyhepker9025]

Back when I was in 6th Grade (I am now 67) the science teacher brought out a glass gar with Mercury in it, we each got to hold the Mercury without the jar ( to feel the weight of it). Well, I am here to say, I am still alive. It gets me the way they talk about Mercury these days.

[@grassroot011]

Yep. They did that to us too in Grade School. 1950 or so. Rolled the stuff around in our hands. But now our "gummint" is doing much worse to us and that purposeful! In our water, food and much else. Pharmaceuticals ! JA !

[@Askjeffwilliams]

@@grassroot011 bingo

[@HiwasseeRiver]

I'm old AF too. Quarters were silver back then and we would dip them in Hg and that would shine them up. The thermostat in the house had a mercury switch.

[@troygunter1600]

1975 Harley Davidson FLH Electraglide had a mercury switch burglar alarm in the back number plate

[@willnelson7621]

My uncle used to bring abt 25 ups murcury home and I played with it!wish I had it all now

[@tinadelwiche416]

Thanks to you and Lila for the hands on demonstration !!! Working with extreme heat and harsh chemicals takes sheer knowledge on what one is doing. The old timers knew there stuff. One had to back then because you could not survive long. Thanks again. 😊😊😊

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Our pleasure Tina

[@bmeetze]

I am so happy you promoted Cody’s Lab! That’s a great channel!!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

yes he is

[@dionh70]

So interesting to see the evolution of Jeff Williams down through the years in the various clips.

[@handsomemarco29]

Amazing info. Never thought that it was this much involved and Process to refine gold ...Thanks for sharing .

[@กันญาดาพิชญศิริกุล]

Wow very good job 👍👍

[@kevina-azbackcountryexplor1413]

That was awesome Jeff! I always heard about the potato trick but had never seen it in action. Out of all of the smelting videos I have watched, this video filled the gaps in the knowledge I was missing. Thank you once again for a highly informational video!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gadzee506]

Jeff the knowledge you share is incredible thank you for covering everything in depth

[@Askjeffwilliams]

My pleasure!

[@kerzwhile]

Been watching Cody for years. When you stated talking about mercury and it's safety I immediately thought of him!! Excellent video Jeff!! As usual!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@Gravity4220]

Its amazing how we figured this stuff out in our spair time Jeff, aint nothing like gold and baked potatoes 😂

[@mostcom]

When dad was a kid he told me that they used to rub mercury onto pennies with their fingers. That was in the late 1920s to early 30s.. Recently when speaking about it again he reminded me that they didn't know it was dangerous. He seemed reasonably healthy and very smart till the day he passed at 98 years old.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

mercury is very safe to handle as long as you don't have open wounds....but the fumes are what get you

[@sandua51]

We did it in the 1960s too. Really works well on the real silver dimes and quarters!

[@HiwasseeRiver]

My dad work with PCBs in electric transformers. Dropped dead at 87. He was Vaxed - just saying!

[@McFunnyBone]

Stoked Cody is getting a shout out! I still remember when he tried to flush a toilet that was full of mercury.

[@sandua51]

I have heard of and read about the potato technique, That was the first time I have seen it demonstrated. Well done!

[@markvolker1145]

Jeff, you should do a entire video on sulfide ore.. what to look for, where to look for it and how to recover it

[@Askjeffwilliams]

great idea

[@nuggetnateprospecting3197]

Just when I thought I had platitude with my prospecting you just gave me more to learn thank you I was starting to get bored with prospecting I always find gold everytime I go I guess I'm more into the chase and challenges of finding it and the history and processes of it, thank you again for the video and knowledge you share

[@Askjeffwilliams]

exactly .....its always about the hunt .....not having it ....... you betcha

[@GilgoldProspecting]

Greetings Jeff... Gilgold Prospecting San Antonio Tx....where every day is a Gold'n Day.. an old fellow Prospector 42yrs ago showing me that. Wow the memories. Good job Jeff 😊

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks GPDA Texas

[@wamlartmuse]

Awesomeness!! He mentioned Cody's lab! Cody is awesome.

[@beverly7192]

My Dad had 5 claims in Placer County. I am to this day amazed. You mentioned potatoes I remember that being mentioned. That brought back memories so thank you

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you betcha

[@Freeprawn]

Awesome video Jeff, thank you. I’ll never get to do this myself but it’s great watching someone with awesome knowledge like yourself show us how to do it, just in case 😊

[@ahilker1]

Jeff, when my father died due to complications with covid, I thought I was alone. Your videos documenting the experience with your own father told me otherwise. I will always appreciate you.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

they are always with us and we will see them again my friend ....really glad we could do that for you

[@chris2790]

@@Askjeffwilliams Do you really believe that and why? Why would they be with us and how do we know we see them again?

[@koltoncrane3099]

Chris2790 Most religions talk about each person having a spirit. But even if you’re atheist and a scientist listen to some physicists. A lot of scientists I’ve listened to say they believe we’re in a simulation. Look at what Einstein called spooky magic. Electrons behave one way but once you measure and observe them in the one experiment they literally changed behavior and paths showing particles like electrons are conscious. It’s weird spooky magic. So even lots of scientists that aren’t religious don’t think we die and then our consciousness stops to exist.

[@DRUMnBLESSed]

@@chris2790 Look up "Near Death Experience's Heaven and Hell"..we live in a day and age with the internet where so many people tell their side of what they saw when they died and were resuscitated or just came back to life, some up to almost an hour after they were pronounced dead. Over and over GOD shows Himself to HIS creation, through HIS creation. look around, this place is not an accident. Its a design. you are loved more then you know. its not about going to church, its about believing Jesus is who HE says HE is and that GOD raised HIM from the dead. you dont have to be good enough then go to GOD (none of us are), just go to HIM, HE will work out the rest. Peace be with you.

[@georgescott249]

my dad loved your videos=jeff you are one of the few people in this world that could make my dad to laugh,he would laugh alot

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks George , really happy to hear that ....sometimes I can make Slim laugh to

[@georgescott249]

@@Askjeffwilliams slim is cool dad even liked slim too,he thought slim was very fun

[@johnkruk6929]

You are Good ! Mr Jeff Williams . Thank you for Passing on / sharing your Knowledge & Experience. Truely Enjoyed your u tube presentation .

[@josephpecoul6532]

Cody's Lab is a favorite of mine

[@Askjeffwilliams]

mine too

[@bencarlyle2155]

​​​@@Askjeffwilliams please I'm begging you! Collaborate with Cody. Jeff and Jason for the smelting and table TVR, . Jason and A.F.P. ( best cam work) for the exploring I know they are busy but Nobody is harder than Sharron and Mike! Super colab! As Tony Beets would say... Make it happening A.S.P.!

[@bencarlyle2155]

I also like Western mine detective . He's good at documenting

[@glennplatvoet7111]

Glad this video came up again it was good to watch thanks for sharing this with us all jeff

[@davekrochenski]

Precisely why I watch your vids Jeff... If the market pukes, know where the gold is. On the knowledge worth and value scale, I'd say you points are off the charts.

[@HiwasseeRiver]

Vodka is also tradeable.

[@xyzabc4574]

I like this one because your energy level is spot on. Not as much hollerin' and shouting the same fart smeller joke as usual. This is a good thing.

[@chickensrcool67]

Fantastic job, knocked it out of the park! Thanks Jeff!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@Washman-jw3hl]

Great show here Jeff. Super educational. Now that's enough school for one week. Let's GOOOOÓOO !!!!!!! get some gold.

[@Mikefestiva]

Fantastic video Jeff! Thanks man, we really appreciate your informative videos 😊👍

[@Askjeffwilliams]

My pleasure!

[@joshuajackson6442]

Jeff, so glad that you passing on gold hacks from the old timers!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you betcha

[@theroguescientist3692]

I live in the mountains of NC and do a lot of prospecting in the rivers. About 50% of the gold I find is mercury gold from the old timers back in the 1800's. Enjoyed your video!!!

[@Famo59]

Another educational video Jeff.. You definitely are a SMART FELLA..!! 😀 Thanks 🙏 for sharing your knowledge mate. Cheers Tony..⛏️

[@Askjeffwilliams]

TONY !!!! Thanks my brother from another mother ..always a pleasure and keep us posted on whats going on in the land of Oz

[@Famo59]

@@Askjeffwilliams you bet..👍⛏️

[@jimmime]

Thank you, Doctor Jeff, & Lila!

[@glentimmins7560]

That was very cool👖I will have to try the potato thing! thanks for the awesome demo!⛏️⛏️⛏️

[@LUCKYB.]

I mentioned doing this what 4 or 5 years ago . LoL thanks Jeff . Never got tired watching that

[@Askjeffwilliams]

yes you did .....and here it is hahahhaahaa

[@richardbeee]

Another noteworthy idea is when you amalgamate sulfide ore is to add stump remover or potassium nitrate, often solstice as saltpeter in drug stores to oxidize the ore while amalgamating it.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Hi Richard...... very good idea ..... thanks for the tips.... need you back out at the mine my friend

[@rtqii]

I have used the 12lb Lortone rock tumbler to mill black powder using brass pellets. Jeff you are certainly a master of the art of gold. I have learned sooooo much from your channel.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks you Richard

[@DJDOUBLEWIDE]

I never knew potatoes could withstand so much heat. I think you about got it done. Enjoyed the video. ❤

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@sonorangreenman4472]

That was amazing! I learn soooo much here. THanks Jeff

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you betcha

[@Hairytoe1]

I found your channel from Cody's Lab. I've been a fan of both of you for years.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thats great ....love watching Cody ....he is super smart and could teach at a University

[@slopoke1012000]

thanks Jeff, this was one of your best videos.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks David

[@robs9574]

Outstanding video! I have a couple buckets of tabled black sand cons. That first 3” or so off the M-7 table. I’ve just left them stacked in my shed as I was stuck on the next steps. Thank you 👍

[@LOSTMINERSGOLD]

Jeff I love this video, excellent information and content. Heavy pans to you sir.

[@TheGhostQuarter]

Hey Jeff glad to see you're still around and doing well.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@bretrath6073]

Great video Jeff !!!!! Thank you for the refiner information and the old timer information. I never would of thought a potato could do that. I appreciate all the information that you share with us. Your doing a wonderful job. Thank you

[@Askjeffwilliams]

You bet!

[@allansgoldmining]

I remember using similar amalgamation techniques to process our lode gold. However, the potato thing I've never seen before. Gee whizz, learn something new every day ! BTW, we use to play with Mercury all the time when we were kids. As long as you didn't ingest it, and washed your hands afterwards, it was OK. Yeah, the liquid silver had a bad rap today !

[@Askjeffwilliams]

we did to Allan ...back then Mercury was ok to mess with ...could tell you stories about making mercury fulminate with it in Chemistry class

[@allansgoldmining]

@Ask Jeff Williams haha ! Would love to hear those stories some day. Lol !

[@black.squirrelz.oracle]

thank you sir,now I have got more knowledge secret tips ^^ from Thailand 😊😊

[@holyarni]

Jeff mentionning Cody! im happy.

[@a.sangrador112]

I can't believe it's that easy to refine amalgamated gold! 😯🤯

[@lewisweeks6150]

Thank you I am learning a lot from your videos as always amazing show

[@trelanding]

I'm fascinated with the 4 different kind of Beans! 🫡🫡

[@القادمصادم-و4ك]

حبذا لو تكون الحلقات مترجمة للعربية كتابيا يا جيف اشكرك انت انسان مجتهد

[@barry7608]

Thanks glad you spoke the reality/truth re mercury! I’ve played with several K’s of Hg since my teenage years. Even been tested for absorption…negative ! And it’s because like you the mercury MUST be kept clean…Hg vapour and compounds ARE dangerous. Enjoyable and informative video thanks

[@philmcadaragh3703]

Jeff, I've been watching and learning every chance I get. I'm originally from the black hills of South dakota. I'm now in south central Texas with gold around me 😢. Love your vids!!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@justinwhisenhunt2661]

Thanks Jeff. I am a hobbyists and never thought of this.

[@rodneyhenshall7778]

Loved the Video, always educational and enjoyable to watch.

[@edsmachine93]

Very good information Jeff. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy the content. Take care, EM

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Thanks 👍

[@PavelZajec]

That retort looks like a miniature version of the one on my family's property. It was very large and was used to cook the mercury out of the cinnabar mined there.

[@gopro_audio]

Hi Jeff, Love your work. Here is why the old timers used wire around a potato. First, a heated wire coil can create a mini magnetic field which the gold as a super conductor wants to stay in. Next, spike the potato with iron nails to remove iron sulfides from your ore and flux. Thanks to David Hudson's patents for the info.

[@rudolfyakich6653]

Very interesting. An area of knowledge I had no sense till now.

[@jamiecurran3544]

I've heard about the potato techniques before but never actually seen it done🤔, great simplified presentation Jeff thanks!😁👍

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you betcha

[@full-panprospecting]

Brilliant video mate and spot on, I've always wanted to try the potato method ever since one of the old timers came up to me while I was panning and told me about it.

[@craigschiller1599]

Thanks for this, read in a book years ago but could never find article again.

[@georgescott249]

always great videos==thanks for sharing

[@johngaltman]

When I was in high school I was the chemistry lab assistant, and the teacher would show the classes mercury and its properties quite often, we actually played with it for a bit, to demonstrate its properties, and then he explained what Mad Hatters Disease was and how it came from long term exposure to mercury fumes...

[@georgehuesler9561]

It never ceases to amaze me how much mercury I find at our local dump. Idiots find it while cleaning out some dead miner's house, assume its dangerous, and throw it away! I take it home, retort it, and add it to the collection. I've got about half pint of the stuff and didn't pay for a drop of it! And by the way, Jeff, you can boil the mercury right out of the collection chamber on the retort. I do it all the time so I don't have to make amalgam out of it. Its also very helpful to make a little heat shield from an old bean can to fit over the retort. It helps keep the heat in so it can boil easier.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@billdgen116]

Very interesting my friend. Potatoes looked yummy

[@ibTeeMac]

I would have used a BIGGER KNIFE but that's just me lol. This was a KILLER video full of amazing information and helpful NUGGETS. Awesome as always... thnx JEFF

[@bunnieswithguns1297]

🤣🤣was thinking the same thing. He needs something bigger than just that tiny pocket knife he was using.🤣🤣

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thats not knife....now thats a Knife ahhaahhahaaaa

[@iakazul]

Thank you for sharing Jeff! Another great video on what to do with the gold on e it’s out of the ground.

[@shawns9221]

Very interesting video Jeff; seems like a lot of steps to process the gold. I thought it would be much more simpler than that.

[@rickstewart9716]

Another great video Jeff!

[@dansummerfield9390]

G'day Jeff, Another awesome upload. You keep raising the bar, love your videos and thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Thanks, will do!

[@grassroot011]

Wow, that was interesting you bet., Thanks Jeff

[@I.Live4oldcars.prospecting]

Awesome video Jeff. Very interesting. I'm learning alot from you.

[@stilesthissell]

Another great lesson from the master!

[@johnjacobs1625]

Nice!! I saw them use the Potato years ago! Thanks JEFF! Take care buddy! JJ

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Thanks, you too!

[@legitan9195]

thank you for this nice and instructive video ! by the way the decor is superbe !!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@slinger6966]

Excellent video, Jeff. I never miss one. This one had really good info.thanks,see ya next time. Maybe I'll tell you guys about a mine we're reopening in Central Washington.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks and we would love to hear about that

[@dasssjam7413]

Great stuff jeff thanks to show us how to make gold thanks jeff

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you betcha

[@mikestevens1502]

Very good info. Thank you. I am learning a lot from your vids.

[@kristomatos]

Thanks Jeff,glad I asked!😊

[@rogergriffin9893]

Informative as always. Thanks, Jeff.

[@alexanderraymond4634]

Always love your video's and education. Also love that you're a fellow metal head 🤣. Listen to metal and look for metal.

[@1949ala]

Very informative, thanks for the very good job

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

I would have like to hear how to dispose of the lye water, potato and the other items use to refine the mercury, maybe another video?? Very much enjoyed this video!

[@robertreynolds2421]

Great video, Jeff. Thankyou. Really appreciate your vast mining and geology knowledge. I finally bought and used a similar retort like yours, but an unvented model. Should have used 2 torches!! Lol. I've read much about the potato amalgamation. Great to watch both first hand. I save all of my merc. in a plastic bottle with water marked. In case it is ever dropped. Been watching a long time. Thankyou.

[@Askjeffwilliams]

Very cool! thanks and really appreciate that

[@robertphillips3893]

Jeff Williams Mercury baked potatoes. What a tasty treat!

[@TheBoatPirate]

Nice shout to Cody's lab

[@darebear123]

I just learned something new with a potato 😂😂. Thanks Jeff

[@buscandooroartesanalmentes3823]

Excelente video amigo gracias por compartir amigo saludos desde Colombia

[@Askjeffwilliams]

gracias amigo

[@jamesderynck1219]

thats some knife you got there seems lot of work they did love your videos'

[@justme-gj1wm]

Thank you , we have been waiting for a video like this . We have learned so much from you these last couple of years and really appreciate all you do . ( And just an fyi , We is not my pronoun , I'm a she lol , I'm referring to me and my boyfriend )

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thats great ....we always love to hear that . Lol

[@robertmoskau1297]

Thank you for the lesson Jeff!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

you betcha Robert

[@ElectricPoliville]

One of my favorite videos

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks

[@GSProspecting]

Loads of great info fam. Great job all around. I might try melting down some Au. Never did it. But I got to try 😂. Keep on having fun and living the dream fam. I always have a blast coming by. Gold Squad Out!!!

[@Askjeffwilliams]

thanks GS