Restoring Antique Cast Iron

[@sharonhopeweaver6139]

I have a #10 Grisswald skillet that was my grandmas. She passed it to my mom. Now I have it. I put a crack in the side wall near the handle. You can see crack on inside & outside of skillet. I had throne it at a robber & hit back of his head, knocking him out till state troopers got here. Him & his partner in crime went to jail. But my grandmas skillet is still useable for cooking today. Grandma passed in 1974. Her mom gave it to her.

[@WanderingWeekends]

That is an awesome story! Love that the bad guys got theirs!!

[@fightinginflipflops7731]

Oh man- for a second there thought you were gonna say threw it at your husband! Surprised bad guy didn't end up in the morgue! Good throw- Love how Grandma saved the day!😉

[@chrisw9629]

That’s a multi purpose skillet 😆

[@hartsm76]

Yeah, girl!🖐

[@patriceroysdon4153]

That is an incredible story. I bet that your grandma was an amazing woman😊

[@nancycornett9949]

Thank you so much! I would like to add an experience I had with GRAPESEED OIL. I had seen a video rating various oils, and grapeseed oil came out on top. I ordered some and proceeded to season two pans with it. After putting them in the oven I had to lie down for a nap, and woke up terribly sick! I opened all the windows and turned on all the exhaust fans, and after a couple of days was feeling better. Then decided to scramble some eggs in one of the pans. As the pan heated up I started feeling sick again! I went to google for info on grapeseed oil. Among a variety of articles I found one that said that when grapeseed oil is heated it can emit toxins. I know that I’m more sensitive than most people, but thought this information should be out there for everybody.

[@rolls_8798]

To present my own experience: grapeseed oil is absolutely the best oil for seasoning that I have found. Like all oils, when you heat it past the smoke point (like when seasoning on a stove), it *smokes*. Not fun to breathe in, not good for you either. When doing it, I open the window and turn on the extractor (like an exhaust but worse - still has a grease trap though and gets the vapours away from your face). I also only put really small amounts of oil on at a time and continually 'scrub' it down with a paper or cloth towel - this also gives the best seasoning results. Also, like soldering, it can help to breathe out over the pan while working and turn away to breathe in. For seasoning in an oven, the smoke vapour is pretty much invisible and can slowly build up (or very quickly when you open the oven door) and is not comfortable to breathe. Definitely want a window open and decent ventilation. Basically, as long as you have good ventilation, you're fine. That is just for seasoning though. When cooking with grapeseed oil, it does not emit any noticeable vapours into the air (through smell, taste or malaise-y feelings - at least from my experience). This is because it does not exceed the smoke point which happens to be very high - so it is likely better than a lot of other oils in this regard, especially when doing something with high heat like searing steak. That being said, I don't cook with grapeseed oil because I find that olive oil has a more appealing flavour, especially when there is too much oil in the pan, and it is more versatile not to mention cheaper, so I mostly relegate the grapeseed oil to seasoning and once that is set there aren't really any issues with anything being released - again, from my experience

[@clararodas6243]

Thank you very much!! I did not know it, I will be very careful…

[@KateDunno]

Nancy Cornett, Thank you so much for passing on this information. You may have saved someone from going thru being sick. Sorry that happened to you.

[@candyclemens4432]

I to had a similar experience. But now I use very little grape seed oil. Works great.😁

[@AuntNutmeg]

Perhaps you are allergic to it. I've used grapeseed oil for decades (seasoning and cooking, as well as an ingredient in foods) with no ill effects for myself or anyone else. But if something is bothering you it's best to avoid exposure.

[@ronmartin3755]

I am 78 years old and was a Chef at a restaurant many years ago. I collected Cast Iron and still have about 200 pieces of vintage to antique cast iron pans and etc. I have used a bead blaster to clean rust off of the pieces I have purchased. The bead blaster uses tiny glass beads and doesn't pit or harm the cast iron at all. It is quick and easy and once the piece has been cleaned I season each piece with Flax Seed Oil.

[@realhuman-being]

Wow what a collection! Thanks for this info about using a bead blaster. I'm going to look into this method, as it sounds similar to tumbling tools I already use with silversmithing and for rock polishing!

[@patriciawright4212]

My grandma used to just throw them in a fire in the yard and burn off all the rust and then afterwards she scrubbed it with a wire brush. Then she washed them and coated them in oil and put it in her oven. This restored any temperament issues and made them just like new.

[@arizonajo2791]

Thanks! I’m not gonna do the electrical thing!

[@slayerpianoman]

@@arizonajo2791 DON'T DO THE FIRE METHOD, many nice pieces have been permanently damaged that way, especially old pieces which is why they're so rare. Cast Iron is tough, but at certain temperatures, the iron get's molecularly damaged permanently. I'm a collector and restorer, and I've found great pieces that aren't usable anymore and it's a bummer. You can spot them because they have red spots that are redder than rust and don't come off. They don't heat properly anymore, and seasoning doesn't stick, which are the two important parts of a pan or pot lol. Make a lye tank, it's really easy and you can get 100% lye at Menards in the form of drain cleaner. Just get a container large enough, pour in water, and then pour in the lye, you can find out how much by ratios found easily online. Stick your iron in there for a week, and it will be clean. The rust will still be there, but you can put the pot or pan in vinegar (you can buy large amounts of vinegar super cheap and reuse it) for about 30 minutes. Not too long, because it eats at the iron. Then scrub it, and you'll get the rest off and you'll be good. Better than fire, you really can mess up your iron.

[@kennydavis2276]

@@slayerpianoman Yep. When I find a skillet at yard sales or flea markets, I try spinning it on a flat surface. If it's a spinner , I walk away. I used to burn them in corn cobs and was really lucky to not have ruined any. Corn cobs glow with white-hot heat and should not be used.

[@Ultzen]

@@slayerpianoman Just to add to this because I was wondering if anyone would mention Lye. You have to be careful when working with lye because it's basically an acid that will disassociate the Hydrogen and Oxygen (water) in your skin and dissolve it. I'm not sure how much contact you'd need to damage your skin since lye is used in bars of soap, but it's probably something to bare in mind.

[@slayerpianoman]

@@Ultzen you’re totally right! It’s easy to avoid that if you get elbow length kitchen gloves, the heavy duty kind, they last a long time and you won’t splash yourself as long as you’re mildly careful! I’ve had to reach far in to the tub and it’s nerve wracking, but if you go slow no worries! I’ve restored 10 pans or so from my current tub and never got burned, so it’s def something to keep in mind but not something to keep you from doing it! Plus vinegar deactivates the lye, which is how I loosen up the rust anyway, so you take the pan out of the lye bath, put it in the vinegar bath for 20 minutes, then scrub with soap and water and steel wool, then season! Interestingly lye burns your skin, but it’s a base not an acid, the acid in the vinegar neutralizes the base so it’s no longer caustic. Don’t leave your pans in vinegar a long time though, it eats away the iron so only leave it 20 to 30 minutes and the metal will be just dandy while loosening rust. IMO though if it’s super rusty, vinegar won’t cut it, you need the electro bath.

[@helenm6732]

Only compliments! Clear, step by step explanation WITHOUT one “ah” or “umm” and definitely honored wife by protecting that countertop.

[@WanderingWeekends]

appreciate that!

[@plumtreefarm9828]

Before Crisco, they used plain old lard. I render my own lard and so prefer to use that to season my cast iron. Works great!

[@WanderingWeekends]

Yep!! Lard will work fine but it’ll smoke like crazy. I prefer my lard in cornbread! Haha.

[@rafterL78]

From what I've read any fat from meat will go rancid if you don't use it regularly.

[@lcostantino7931]

I use coconut oil , takes high heat

[@alsaunders7805]

I have always used bacon fat or saved beef fat(tallow). 🤓🍻

[@janleslie7163]

Yes lard was the best

[@elliekennedy2952]

I am 77 and use mt grandmother skillet, my mother used it before me, so it is at least a third generation use and maybe fourth. The outside has a built up on it from use over the years, the inside is in perfect condition and gets used regular. My grandson asks if he could have the skillet when I am done with it.

[@WanderingWeekends]

I would suggest restoring it. While I know that buildup was accumulated by your dear loved ones over the years it actually hinders the cooking ability of the skillet. Restore it and cook on the same pan your grandmother cooked on! Love this story and I hope your grandson takes good care of the heirloom!

[@elliekennedy2952]

@@WanderingWeekends The bottom of the pan is smooth, in fact I use it on a smooth top range. All the build up is on the sides,

[@terryeaston5311]

The numbers represent the size of the pans the letters represent the molds that was used ... They put those numbers on them back in the day so the people would know for the eye of wood burner stoves of size.. I really love the cast iron skillets and I learned about restoration and how easy it is to care for them.. thank you for showing your cast iron products to us very nice..

[@TgWags69]

When you are making your electrolyte, start adding the washing soda a little at a time until the meter on your charger gets to a good point then stop. If there is too much soda in the water it makes it act like its a dead short sort of like you just hook the cables together. This isn't good for your charger and will burn it out fairly quick. Tune your electrolyte a bit at a time and the charger will hum along nice and will actually work faster because the overload is not cycling on and off.

[@WanderingWeekends]

Ah! Great advice! I will definitely do this!

[@danoppenheimer9105]

Ok look

[@tinaknutsen]

❤thank you! This is the best useful comment! Didn’t know any of that!

[@bryanthornton6787]

What would be a good point for the meter to be?

[@jimlem42]

Good tip- will try

[@stephanieray6587]

I just saw an YT video on how to outfit a smaller kitchen, and it recommended a cast iron pan because you can use it in the oven as well as on the stovetop... how funny that the next generation has to be taught what our ancestors already knew! Anyway, thank you for the wonderfully clear explanation, pretty much the best I've seen.

[@WanderingWeekends]

Appreciate that!

[@atstancioff]

The next generation always needs to be taught what our ancestors knew...it's called history. 😊

[@138Vic]

Carbon steel also is great and lasts a lifetime. Just keep it seasoned. After every use, I clean it (no soap) then put it back on low heat and spread a drop of oil around with a paper towel. Need to make sure it goes back into your drawer completely dry, a little oil keeps it seasoned.

[@augustajeter6035]

That's because somebody taught them. People don't pass down knowledge anymore...😓

[@kille7543]

@@augustajeter6035 Apart from people on KZbin 🤗❤️

[@robertsherman9975]

Great video ! My sister has the two frying pans of our Mother. I remember the surfaces was extremely smooth. She received them as a wedding gift. They are nearing 82 years old and still in use. Many pans of cornbread and fried potatoes made in the large skillet. Brings back wonderful memories. Thanks again for sharing this video. Best regards.

[@keithlucas6260]

The Wagner I have is from 1940 and passed down from a granny. I actually used my media blaster and took off the rust, then used an orbital sander ending up at 220 grit to get it back to where it was beforehand. Lastly I used avocado oil as it's also a high heat oil.....it came out a beautiful gold brown....eggs slide right off.

[@magapickle01]

Smart man !!

[@jonredd650]

Nice

[@RichardJohnson-ui6qo]

I thought you hooked the negative to the pan and the positive to your anodes

[@jdeno76]

Great video! It's very rewarding and addictive to see the end results. I've been doing this for 6 years and still love it. A helpful tip for beginners, if you can't find soda wash at the store, you can make your own by putting baking soda in the oven at 400° for 30 min. Stir it once, half way through. I've had to resort to this a few times and it works great.

[@markeiler9753]

Thanks ,your right about finding the soda soap go to dollar tree or dollars stores they usually have it and it a lot cheaper.

[@davidsisson6297]

❤thank you for all of your information

[@JoseGonzalez-wl5fz]

Have you tried sand blasting?

[@rachelascott3130]

I made the soda wash by heating the baking soda in a cast iron skillet on the stove top. I stirred it with a wooden spoon, and was fascinated to watch the reaction, as bubbles of gas-hydrogen? formed as the chemical reaction occurred. It’s so unusual to see that happening from a solid state powder, looking similar to what happens when water boils, which of course, we are all familiar with. By stirring with the wooden spoon, I knew the chemical reaction was complete when I no longer saw any “bubbling” action. ( In this case, I was making a mordant, in an initial experiment, in dying cotton cloth with walnuts, to produce a brown dye color. I still vaguely remember my first “chemistry kit” as a kid; it was rather disappointing. This is one safe reaction a child could do which is quite satisfying!

[@williamsanders2808]

Just a suggestion, and something I do when shopping for cast iron. Carry a lead test kit. Test everything for lead. Lot's of old cast iron was used to melt lead for bullet casting. Once it has been used for lead casting, it's worthless for cooking food. You can never get the lead out of it. And it will leach lead into your food. I, for one, don't want or need lead poisoning. I've had to pass on several Wagner pans and a few Griswold's, due to lead contamination. Portable lead test kits are easy to find, and are pretty quick tests. Only thing you can do with a lead contaminated pan is seal it and use it for display or perhaps as a clock.

[@Handles-R-Lame]

You mean the seasoning dont add a layer of protection from the lead? Darn..

[@williamsanders2808]

@@Handles-R-Lame No it doesn't. The lead leaches through. Best bet is to take it to a place that has an XRF tester, though, as the lead test swabs can sometimes give a bad result that's misleading.

[@johnsnow1355]

Yep I stick with crisco on my cast cook wear as well. It's always in the house and leaves in some nice flavour to the cooking

[@Dion82866]

Great video! The instructions for the electrolysis tank was so good! I am hoping my hubby will make us one! We are always running across cast iron finds and the task of cleaning and restoring can be daunting! But that little instruction put a big smile on my face! Thanks!

[@davidmaynard9462]

My daughter found an 8 pie shaped corn bread pan in the bottom of her mother-in-laws chicken coop. Probably here 40 plus years and now I need to finish it according to your method of a 2nd and 3rd reheat. Thanks.

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

With chicken poop and pee on it?

[@mrsgruffalo6319]

I am extremely impressed!! I tossed out a bunch of cast iron skillets that were rusted and over seasoned because I thought they were ruined. They were from a hoarders house. I had no idea they could be restored that easily. Now I’m kicking myself because I should have done some research!! So glad I found your video!! At least I know what to do next time!!

[@WanderingWeekends]

😣 live and learn!

[@pontiacsuperchief9532]

I know how ignorance can return to bite you in the posterior, but when I read you just tossed them out, I died inside a little.

[@valerieclark4580]

What a bummer! I was given an assortment of cast iron skillets that are in lousy shape and this video has encouraged me to start cleaning them.

[@markrush5013]

l love to take old rusty cast iron and make it useful again. its very satisfying to give a cast iron item another few hundred years.

[@user-nk6if2pi3x]

I have the stovetop waffle iron you showed. Thx for the videos. I’ve been applying the techniques to my cast iron finds. They’ve come out beautifully.

[@WanderingWeekends]

Great to hear!

[@No-body369]

Well done! I learned a few new tricks to try on my great grandmothers pans. Thanks!

[@smallfootprint2961]

Just gave my cast iron to my daughter. Stuff I've cooked in all her life, plus she's quite the collector.... BTW... Her dad was from Finland, and Saturdays were for the little pancakes made in that pan. They were made without any baking powder and were a tad sweet. Lingonberry jam was the preferred topping. So good.

[@rexjennings54]

We called those pancakes "pletter," that was the "pletter pan.?

[@rexjennings54]

No question mark

[@lurklingX]

The pancakes made in that pan, are you supposed to flip them?

[@smallfootprint2961]

@@lurklingX ... Yes. I made the batter as instructed by a Finnish cook book, and found a large spoon that provided just the right amount of batter. I used a little clarified butter to give the pan just the right amount of fat in the pan, and turned them when they browned, with a perfect narrow spatula. Very similar to what I was used to with American pancakes. So good. The batter makes great crepe like pancakes too.

[@lurklingX]

small footprint I don’t suppose you could post the recipe here? :) I’ve never had a Finish pancake, would love to try one! I do like to put lingonberries on my pancakes already. :)

[@BradMaestas]

I inherited some Griswold from my Gran and bought quite a bit more later on. My prized possessions are a Griswold 12 with lid and a Griswold 10 round griddle. She used Crisco so that's what I've been using. Seems that grapeseed and avocado are popular alternatives. Nice restorations! I haven't had to bring one back from the dead yet but now it's a little less daunting with the help of electrolysis.

[@Scriptorsilentum]

and there I was restoring a 12" lodge pan with bloody sandpaper!

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Yep

[@RevMikeBlack]

Nice work. Instead of steel wool, I use Scotch Brite pads. They clean really well and they don't leave metal fragments like steel wool. I've had good results thus far.

[@davidfrancis2774]

Been subscribed to your channel for a couples months now and love it. Came across this vid and as an antique cast iron skillet collector myself have to say great job with restoration and seasoning instructions.

[@carlgshock]

Very good video. Three of my favorite things. Campers, Ford trucks and cast iron.

[@debbienielsen368]

I’ve got some of my grandmothers and great grandmothers iron skillets that have some rust on them. This video was extremely helpful to me to know the correct way to season them again. They haven’t been used in quite awhile. Thank you for the information! Wish I could find a waffle iron! Fantastic!

[@WanderingWeekends]

So glad it was helpful!!

[@rachelascott3130]

I too, envy your waffle iron! I had one I gave away, years ago, before I knew how to season & restore the cast iron.

[@Eric-gi9kg]

I was fortunate to get several pans that at one time belonged to my great grandparents. My mother gave them to me, and I use them every day.

[@pamdellos8291]

Love the waffle pan and that deep fryer. I also am addicted to restoring old cast iron. Nice video

[@WanderingWeekends]

Thanks!!

[@fawnbowden3238]

Looks like an old Lodge waffle iron- nice! They're not that common.......@@WanderingWeekends

[@mrj3711]

I inherited a few old pans. Thank you for this information. I watched so I can treat my pans with the love they deserve.

[@emmathompson3680]

My grandmother always baked it in the woodstove on a bed of coals. Not many people have that option now.

[@russbear31]

I've never set up an electrolysis tank. I've had great success using a lye bath when I've cleaned up some old, vintage skillets. It's simple to set up. A few years ago I tried to do a restoration marathon by cleaning 6 skillets at once. I got busy and left one pan soaking in the lye bath for 6 months. It didn't hurt the pan at all. She was clean as a whistle when I finally fished it out and reseasoned it.

[@englishmuffin5274]

Agreed - I've used lye baths for years, hasn't let me down yet, just works a little slower in the winter time.

[@ginamiller928]

How do you make the lye bath? This electrolysis sketches me out 😱

[@russbear31]

@@ginamiller928 Buy a large plastic tub. Fill it with 5 gallons of water. Dissolve 1 pound of lye in the water. **ALWAYS DO IT IN THAT ORDER. NEVER POUR WATER ON TOP OF THE LYE. IT WILL FOAM UP VIOLENTLY AND COULD GIVE YOU A NASTY CHEMICAL BURN.** Always add the lye to the water. You're ready to go. Soak your pans for several days in the lye solution and they will clean up effortlessly.

[@englishmuffin5274]

@@ginamiller928 Fill a tote with 5 gallons of water. Pour in 1 lb. of lye. Make sure you don't splash any in your eyes, of course. Cover with a lid - boom, you're done!

[@realhuman-being]

Electrolysis is more fool-proof as far as health consequences of using lye. I avoid lye if at all possible because of the potential "alchemy concerns" in the elementals of the metal. Chemistry is wild. Be careful.

[@snarky4lyfe144]

i would love to have that jonny cake pan . i currently own two cast iron pans. a 12 inch skillet ( i use it for everything ) and a square 8 inch grill pan . great for steaks and burgers . love them both , am hoping to be able to afford a dutch oven soon

[@colleenrobison4070]

I’ve a friend with a skillet marked Wheeling, Virginia. Pre-civil war. Thanks for the tips.

[@CarlJohnson-ry3gc]

That is so cool!!

[@Papa-in-Tx]

My wife and I have several cast irons skillets we use almost daily. The newest one was bought by me in 1980 (by me), and the rest belonged to our grandmothers. By the way, when my great-aunt passed away they had an estate sale and my sister bought her silverware. The tablespoons were all flat on one side from 60 or so years of her stirring food in her cast iron skillets.

[@rednecksuburbanidiot3230]

We always buried ours it the ashes of the woodstove build a good fire and dug them out the next day and hit them with some old hand made red brick then washed it off coated it with grease and put it in the oven for about an hour to season it

[@WanderingWeekends]

Definitely more than one way to skin a cat!

[@jasonredepenning]

Or eat a cat

[@Syncere20]

Very well done

[@DTG_LOCKETT]

Heating it that hot warps the metal and makes it more brittle. It's also why you don't put them in the oven on self clean

[@solarpony]

Try punctuation sometime

[@Biglou13-z3p]

I built one using re-bar on each corner. Worked great.

[@susancampbell515]

Thank you so much for the video! I didn’t use cast iron until 3 yrs ago. I found my biological dad and he uses it. The chicken and pork chops come out so much tastier.

[@WanderingWeekends]

You’re so welcome!!

[@barrybishop9646]

I have a three legged fry pan that I remember as a child . Dad said it was over a hundred years old then. The problem is that an aunt of mine sprayed painted it black and hung it in her carport for decoration. I have placed in it a campfire to burn it off but, when I put oil in it and start wiping it seems to be leeching out more paint. Any ideas on what to do. I am afraid to use it like it is.

[@thomas25082]

@@barrybishop9646 get it red hot burn off all impurities

[@GDanBrown1]

The finished #8 skillet is a SMS. Or better known as southern mystery skillet. Made in the south by a family owned foundry before Lodge bought most

[@WanderingWeekends]

Great info! Thanks a ton.

[@julierobertson148]

Thanks SOOO much for the tutorial on how to evaluate the iron for restoration! You have to be able to judge from the outset whether the effort you're going to put into the piece will be worthwhile so you don't waste time, effort and materials.

[@kfl611]

I like the short sided, round pan. Looks just like the right pan to use for pancakes or tortillas or something that would be easy to heat and flip.

[@p.c.howard7025]

The waffle iron was really neat! Great video - I definitely learned a lot about the restoration process

[@MrDmartinezjr]

I just really like how pleasant you are and give really good description of the process. You got a new subscriber here

[@WanderingWeekends]

welcome!

[@kevinkeller1046]

Nice work! Just a thought, you might want to wash it down with soap and baking soda after the barkeeper's friend, just to neutralize and remove all of the oxalic acid from the grain of the metal.

[@joeburroughes7214]

Greetings from across the pond! What a very clear and informative video. I've got an old cast skillet I'm going to have a go at later, using some of your know how.

[@WanderingWeekends]

Let us know how it goes!

[@kmaddux9]

It's funny... I was just down at the wood stove and the pot that sits on top is really bad! It was here when we bought the house, and then I came upstairs and found your video! Did you restore that cast iron pot that was also in that lot? Would love to see that, thank you! Great video

[@GrymsArchive]

I remember my Grandmother using that type of pan to make crepe-like Swedish pancakes with Lingonberry jam on the side Back in the 1960s

[@randydobson4719]

Really enjoyed this I retired last December I'm re doing rods and reels and cast iron also fishing a lot god bless 🇺🇸👮‍♂️👍

[@WanderingWeekends]

Congrats on retirement!!

[@randydobson4719]

@@WanderingWeekends thank you sitting on my front porch waiting on a coyote 👮‍♂️🇺🇸

[@jdbfortney]

I inherited my mil pans. Lots of built off grease. I put them in the grill, closed the cover, turned all the burners on high & let it go for about an hour. After they cooled completely, washed them up, reseasoned them... walla!! Ine was pitted pretty good, my husband went at it with a hand sander lol. It's my favorite

[@ob1257]

Thanks, just picking up the hobby myself. I like the heads up about using the dead battery in the loop! Going to try it..

[@dennislock3415]

Used to clean traps off by burying them in wet oak leaves,worked pretty good,guessing the tannins in the leaves did the work.Read about it somewhere a long time ago.Didn't happen over night.

[@kfl611]

I've seen smithy's restore cast iron pans with cracks and holes. I know it can be done. They forge on a new piece or iron over that bad spot and hammer it all together. Well at least on the videos I have seen. Great video, and I like your counter tops, very pretty.

[@stormysocks]

Cast can be easily brazed and now welded.

[@DeftAtheist]

That last pan looks so perfectly smooth and shiny. Me want.

[@WanderingWeekends]

Haha… I know the feeling.

[@tinagould4942]

I would love to see that tea pot all cleaned up!

[@b-d3vil16]

I’m not so much into collecting but can’t beat a cast iron on the fire at camp, I’ll have my eyes open for any cast iron for sale from now on.

[@WadeWeigle]

You’re legit because you say the same things I say. And you name dropped Justin Wilson so you’re alight by me. Thanks for sharing this. I have an old old Japanese tea pot that I want to restore but I’m nervous about all it’s nooks and crannies.

[@WanderingWeekends]

I guarauntee!! Thanks!!

[@samanthaB7712]

Is that pot cast basalt or cast iron?

[@jbynum67]

I really like the waffle iron, great work on that. The "F" may be for Falkirk and the 8, I believe, is the size (8inch).

[@merlenidiffer8711]

You can weld any cracks or pits,weld then ping with a hammer to reset the molicules

[@Scriptorsilentum]

@@merlenidiffer8711 😁Thank you for the tip! Took a very old 9 qt to Maaco. The guy looked at me like I just arrived from mars. His boss said "$10" and they blasted it down to bare (shiny gray) iron for me. My brother's neighbour took a slug of iron and melted it (arc welding) to patch the crack. Crowed about it later and showed a friend after we emptied the chili out of it. Autobody shops could have a bit of a sideline if they really wanted.

[@gourdsbyjm]

Wow! This was great! Wish I could have seen this years ago.

[@deloresdunbar1464]

The one with the hole would make a cute kitchen clock.

[@Chuck5653]

Over the past 35 years I have purchased Wagner's and Griswolds - more than 80 of the two combined. Of all places I have found them, the majority have been at Goodwill. Never gave more than 6.00 a pan, and 22 years ago I bought 18 Wagners for 2.00 a pan. So far they are the best. Been using Avocado oil and Flax Seed oil to get them prepped. The flax seems to do the best job for me.

[@WanderingWeekends]

I’ll buy em all from you for $10 each ☺️

[@Chuck5653]

@@WanderingWeekends Excellent profit margin. LOL. Unfortunately I happen to like living, and I am sure that the wife may have something to say about my life expectancy if I were to sell any of them. However, I did give a few away after I got them seasoned. But they went to family, so she was good with that.

[@WanderingWeekends]

😂🤣 understood!!

[@englishmuffin5274]

I wish I would've been buying them up 20 years ago when you could get em for that. Now, Goodwill auctions off Griswolds in the $100s + ...

[@bensalm5336]

I'm amazed!! It ended up looking like Teflon.

[@WanderingWeekends]

Might be a better non-stick surface than Teflon when properly seasoned!

[@Blue2crows]

I like to put my cast iron in the oven. The self clean oven mode cleans it very nice.

[@hiddentruth1982]

cast iron gives the best cooking experience a pan can give when it's seasoned properly.

[@lurklingX]

That final finish looks great! Nice to know about grapeseed oil… I previously just tried olive oil. Also never heard about heating the pan before putting oil on. Or many of the things you talked about. So I will definitely try this.

[@WanderingWeekends]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marykennedysherin3330]

Yes, when.i have used olive oil it's not very good finish

[@carlandersonlll6861]

If the oil you put in is smoking when seasoning then you have to start over again. Don't get the cast iron so hot that the oil burns and smokes. Just hot enough where the oil will soak in the cast iron without burning and smoking. Kent Rollins said that.

[@chriss8206]

When cast iron cookware was being used olive oil wasn't used with cast iron. Olive oil is very acidic. Use lard to season your cast iron

[@cyndee4232]

Absolutely beautiful I love Iron skillets.

[@JWimpy]

Great video, lots of valuable information. I have a Griswold that I use every day. It is my number one go-to skillet.

[@billsmith1782]

Awesome video very well done, thanks for sharing, excited to fix a couple of pieces I have stashed away in my garage when I get back home to the good ole U.S.A.

[@richardsappington1658]

I loved the Justin Wilson reference!!!

[@WanderingWeekends]

Just a little bit o wine!!

[@pfriday123]

The number 8 on the waffle iron indicates the size of the hole in an old wood stove it would fit on.

[@nigelthompson874]

Try an overnight soak in cheap vinegar. Yes, it’s acid. Kills rust, no apparent effect on anything else. In the morning scrub it , dry it and oil it. By the way, use bar keepers friend powder. Otherwise you’re paying for water😳

[@stilljonesn4582]

I use vinegar to soak any old rusted tools nuts bolts anything metal covered with rust and locked up and assumed to be destined for the scrap pile. No matter how rusted how locked up. A few to several days later unbelievable results. Now since the acid spikes the natural ph. And turns the iron oxide to-iron dioxide. They will begin to rust almost immediately. Sodium bicarbonate aka baking soda will neutralize and bring the pH back down. But you're still left with the bare metal and left untreated will once again will eventually rust. But it's a great trick I use for my heirloom tools that I restore and paint and will eventually pass down as they were to me minus the rust.

[@brendanhayes2752]

Great video, now you can do the cast iron repair with bronze. The key to that is heating the cast iron prior to the repair.

[@rat8356]

I mig welded a handle back onto a griswald..i didn't heat the metal prior in anyway although i did V out the break heavily, that could have added some heat...been using it for a couple years and it hasn't failed yet..its a super smooth bottom skillet, love it..the handle broke off when someone thru it into the scrap steel pile

[@aimee-lynndonovan6077]

Love the One with feet, ancient. Warped, wow. Didn't know they did that.

[@sherifelcher9258]

Blow dryer works great to remove all the water then I spray with pam prevents the flash rust

[@akhoneybee907]

Flash rust is the bane of my existence. I was trying to restore a lodge griddle/grill that wasn’t taken care of by whichever previous owner it had. Lots of food particles, seasoning drips and runs, tackiness, and pitting rust. I scrubbed and scrubbed and managed to get most of it off, but that flash rust though 😂🥴 I’m gonna “self oven clean” off the rest of the old seasoning tomorrow and try to smooth it out a bit before putting on new seasoning. Good tip thank you I will try a hair dryer because that rust goes so fast it collects in seconds!

[@larrymaxwell5535]

Thanks for sharing! It's a lot of work restoring them but satisfying to restore them with an excellent end result! Biscuits taste better on a Wood stove cooked in cast iron, don't ask me why, but they just do! Lip smackin good especially with Jimmy Dean sausage 😋

[@WanderingWeekends]

Agree!!

[@beebob1279]

I've got two of the waffle irons from my grandparents. Haven't used them and just have them on the counter at the lake house. Cool pieces. Good story about cast iron. I teach school. We used to do a Friday morning breakfast. Groups of teachers got together and provided a breakfast for everyone. One Friday morning it was our groups' turn. I brought in my cast iron pans (also from my grandparents) and cooked eggs for anyone who wanted them. One teacher (a younger guy) asked me why I use cast iron. That's stupid. Our music teacher explained to him that these were the first non stick pans. I made eggs while the others in the group brought in their things for everyone. To this day I cook my breakfast in the cast iron pans. Next I'll look for a dutch oven and clean it up.

[@WanderingWeekends]

Love it! Keep those jewels working!

[@bobhughes9628]

Yeah, most people who teach school call people stupid.

[@beebob1279]

@@bobhughes9628 NO THEY DON'T!!! Where did you get that one?

[@mollysimmons2960]

@@bobhughes9628 Your confusing the word “stupid” with “ignorance” or “naivety” Stupid… person doesn’t possess the ability to understand. Ignorance… hasn’t been taught or exposed to ideas…person that doesn’t like learning. naive… innocent like a child just learning

[@billknight5596]

@@bobhughes9628 The way I read it, the child was saying that using cast iron was stupid. It was not the teacher calling anyone stupid, the student was.

[@cherylsmith5937]

Thank you so much for such a thorough video! I have an old Griswald that might need some resto work on it and this answered so many questions.

[@WanderingWeekends]

Love an old Griswold!!!

[@138Vic]

Whatever oil you use, you want to set the oven to 50 degrees over the smoke point of that oil. I have a Griswold (from my great-grandfather) that has an "8" on it (just like your last pan) so maybe its that. Check the two fonts side by side. Great work!

[@petergreenwald9639]

I love my very old Griswold. Cook with it very often.

[@W4GHW]

Nice job! I use steel wire to suspend my pieces. That way I get the entire piece and am able to hook my clip lead to the wire.

[@luisj.castironcooking]

Great Video! Very informative and detailed, I also love the tips for seasoning. 👏🏽

[@WanderingWeekends]

Thank you!

[@FridayFrida]

That pan looks just like a Swedish “plättjärn”, for thin small crepe like pancakes, ”plättar”. I don’t know if anyone else have commented about it, but there you go.

[@annehiggins5381]

I think it might be ab Aebleskiver Pan. Delidioys puffy pancakes…yum!

[@tonyhedgewolf]

Yup, it's exactly like ours. Gets used most Saturday mornings 😊

[@smallfootprint2961]

@@annehiggins5381 ... Not Aebleskivers. I think Aebleskivers are round/like a ball. These are flat. Look up Lattyja.

[@annehiggins5381]

@@smallfootprint2961 I believe you’re right…

[@Louis-qi1gz]

I suprisd my mom by washing and scraping her cast iron skillet with a Brillo pad and scraper and cleaned All the lumps of Baked on stuff around the side of the skillet she suprisd me by crying 😱🔥 I learned allot about cast iron that day 🙏

[@WanderingWeekends]

Haha. Yep… shoulda watched this vid first!

[@Louis-qi1gz]

@@WanderingWeekends that happened 48 years ago she put it in the fire pit with crisco oil and taught me everything about cast iron I was 10 yo

[@chuckroast7053]

I have some vintage skillets with some built up grease/etc. Will this method work to clean it as well? I love the details in your video.......precise and to the point. Thank you for posting

[@WanderingWeekends]

Yes! Certainly should!

[@fredjaeger2766]

My newest one I bought is a 11 1/4 inch Wagner 1891 original skillet griddle it even has seasoning instructions on it

[@countrysister700]

For fellow ADHD friends - I'm hoping this is the summary of the procedure (I get lost): Dry pan 200° 10 min. Thinly oil and wipe well Oiled pan (upside down?) 300° 10-15 min. Thinly oil and wipe well Oiled pan (upside down?) 450° 2 hours. Turn off oven coming to room temp naturally Check out your seasoned pan! If this isn't correct, somebody please speak up so I can edit 😊

[@WanderingWeekends]

Yes!!

[@No-body369]

Lol thanks I was about to rewatch it to get that info again 😆

[@violet2048]

Thank you for asking that question.

[@countrysister700]

@@violet2048 the beauty of the internet is losing the fear of looking like a dummy. There are no dumb questions - plus I've learned to only subscribe to groups with all pro leaders and great caring followers

[@that240guysx]

I used to think there were no dumb questions. Then I went in to the Army, I learned that most of the questions there were dumb, and then I had to deal with marines and now that saying just doesn't hold true anymore. To be clear there are intelligent people in both the marines and army, it's just the dumb ones are so dumb they make everyone look dumb.

[@edyoung6573]

Man I wish I watched this before I started trying to restore cast iron!!! Fantastic how to Video!! Yeah I over oiled my pans! Plus going to get into the Electrolysis. Thank you for this video!

[@WanderingWeekends]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaeltreadwell777]

WOW, great video. I've watched a few on KZbin and yours is by far the best. No messing about, just down to earth tell us how it's done ! I'm following you now, so looking forward to more from you :-)

[@WanderingWeekends]

Thanks for that! I need to do another cast iron vid for sure.

[@Nope145]

Good video. In the past, I have had success using cleaning strength vinegar to remove rust.

[@drkeds01]

Awesome! Thank for the tutorial! Will be on the look out for some interesting pieces. Love to cook on cast iron when camping.

[@pattyaaron5227]

I love my iron skillets and Dutch oven. I have the copper chef pans but nothing compares to a good iron skillet

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

Just an aside, love cast iron on my new stove that cooks with magnets (induction). The pans with the ridges on the bottom do not work on these stoves, you have to have flat bottoms. In case anyone is interested and has an induction cook top or range. I do love my induction range but it takes a little getting used to and special cookware that a magnet will cling to.

[@beebob1279]

Thanks for the info. I don't have induction but had wondered about that. I'm looking at replacing my appliances and induction is on the list. My problem with the cast iron is that my pans do have that lip. Too bad.

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

@@beebob1279 i love my induction range….just as an aside and use enameled cast iron on it and it cooks supper as fast as an instant pot!

[@johnsnow1355]

Always hated induction cooking. Old school burners are way more effective and easily fixed if the elements burn out. Induction messes up throw the whole stove away for a new one.

[@nikkischoessow4847]

Wow you taught me alot!!! Thankyou

[@nikkischoessow4847]

But they work on wood stoves right?

[@newdayfarm9463]

Very nice score and great video. Just found me a griswold round griddle today to restore. I have my grandmothers skillet that needs to be stripped and reseasoned.

[@magdalenaswierczynska8047]

Piękna gofrownica oraz frytownica a tak w ogóle to wszystko co żeliwne jest super, powodzenia i pozdrowienia z Polski. Fajnie się ogląda Twoje filmy.

[@g.cosper]

Cudownie, że możesz oglądać z Polski. Mam nadzieję, że wszystko idzie dobrze dla ciebie i całej twojej rodziny. (translator used)

[@adamlee3217]

Your left handed; I as well am a lefty. Most of the left handed are good in the kitchen. Nice to meet you.

[@coloringwithd]

This was different and interesting. I was taught to put it in coals for an hour depending on the thickness, use steel wool to take it down to the metal, put on a good coating of crisco oil, bake it in a 400° oven for 2 hours turn off oven and let it cool down in the oven. If it’s sticky bake it another two hours. Electrolysis makes the initial cleaning much easier. Thanks for the video. Happy holidays 🎄🎄🎄

[@malcontent4356]

The one cast iron piece I miss since my mother's passing was an old cast iron aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls) pan. One of my 6 brothers snagged it up soon after she passed.

[@dalebahten4951]

I see them in antique stores often, I’m sure you could find another. We have aebleskivers every Christmas 😊

[@malcontent4356]

@@dalebahten4951 We still have a cast aluminum one packed away when we moved 4 yrs. ago and haven't got around to unpack it yet. We relocated to take care of my wife's eldery parents and being in a fully furnished home there is not much room to unpack any of our household items.

[@adriansedillo3426]

I build a camp fire set rusty pans in it.Takes off every thing quickley 15/20 min. Oil them put them back on the grading for a short while.done no mess except whipeing off excess oil.I tried it on some rusty channel lock pliers.The coating lasted about 2yrs.

[@thomasdavenport508]

Yeah man. Cast iron is way more simple than what most people make it. Burn some lard on it. Cook bacon in it often. Lard Lard Lard. Manteca. Fire Fire Fire. Fuego. If you get some bad season on it from some weird $=!t you cooked. Burn it off and bake some fresh Lard on it again. NO SOAP! Lard is soap for cast iron.

[@BrianGay57]

Bad advice.

[@thomasdavenport508]

@@BrianGay57 That shows what you know. It's a simple appliance that requires simple maintenance. You can do all the fancy stuff and waste time for nothing if you want. Your time and personal edification is truly yours. 👍

[@s.reynolds3415]

Thank you for all the info! Off to the garage!

[@WanderingWeekends]

Glad to help!

[@Nan-59]

Well, now I know why some of my pans are sticky! I hate the "taking the oil off" step! Like you said, it really feels counter intuitive! I'll try better next time!

[@aurorablanco776]

Thank you for sharing all. Your Techniques very helpful.