Cast Iron Experiment

[RowdyRay]

This is for you Dude.

I read an article on using lye for cleaning cast iron. There was some discussion about it, and seems it's not easy to find. Steve (walkingdude) asked about Drano. So, I picked up an 18 Oz. can from Walmart. Relatively inexpensive, and most should be able to get it. It says contains Sodium Hydroxide (caustic soda-lye). Lots of warnings on the can, so please use carefully with eye protection and rubber gloves if you try this.

Had a 6.5 gallon Rubbermaid container with a lid laying around that looked big enough to fit most any CI into. The lid is not air tight, so it should allow any vapors to escape. Filled it halfway, so about 3 gallons of cold water. Poured half the can of Drano into the water. Used a stick to stir it up good.

My victims....err, I mean volunteers today are a small cheap skillet I found and the lid to the Lodge sauce pan. What the heck, shouldn't hurt it. Wanted to try this before winter. I'll leave it outside in case of any noxious fumes. Not sure if it will freeze either. Hopefully can store it in the shed for future use. We'll see.

Gonna check on it everyday. I'll update as we go along. Should be interesting.

[TxBigRed]

Is this supposed to get rid of the rust and restore it to a "like new" condition?

Dave

[RowdyRay]

Is this supposed to get rid of the rust and restore it to a "like new" condition?

Dave

That's what we're going to find out.

[Walking Dude]

not sure about rust, but it WILL get rid of any grease/grime build up...........

thankx RR

you are my HERO...........

[RowdyRay]

Well, if it wrecks the CI, I'm sending you the bill. LMAO.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

[Walking Dude]

Well, if it wrecks the CI, I'm sending you the bill. LMAO.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

naw, just send me the ruint CI..........i will werk with it..........BWAHAHAHAHA

[RowdyRay]

Checked on it today. I have to say I'm impressed so far. Took the lid off, and there was an ugly coating of scum floating on top.

When the small skillet was removed the old seasoning wiped off with my finger. A rinse with the garden hose took most of it right off. A light scrubbing with steel wool removed more. There still is some in the crevices and rougher surfaces, so I'll put it back in to soak and check on it tommorrow.

The sauce pan lid cleaned up very nicely. If you compare it to the first pics, you can see the old seasoning. That all came off. Scrubbed with steel wool, rinsed several times and used some dish soap to remove any chemicals. Dried and reseasoned.

My large skillet still has some baked on crud that never came off and the medium skillet lid came out spotty, because I never got the old seasoning off completely. Threw the medium lid in with the small skillet. Find out if any more Drano has to be added, or if it's good for a while. Will keep you updated.

[Slanted88]

Double R!....Man I think yer on to something!

[Walking Dude]

looking good dude...............tho wished you had some really GRIMY crusted stuff, to see how this does.........but no worries, i will be trying it here REAL soon while I have a break in the weather...........!!

[Richtee]

Well, if it wrecks the CI, I'm sending you the bill. LMAO.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

You'd have to go further than that to RUIN CI pots... like a steamroller or...well, I hear told...explosives

[RowdyRay]

looking good dude...............tho wished you had some really GRIMY crusted stuff, to see how this does.........but no worries, i will be trying it here REAL soon while I have a break in the weather...........!!

Like I said, the large skillet has some stuff stuck to it. Food sticks when I try to cook in it. Thought I got all of it, but guess not. So it may be a good candidate here soon. Should have picked up this nasty one I saw. I'll watch for one now that this may work.

You'd have to go further than that to RUIN CI pots... like a steamroller or...well, I hear told...explosives

Hehe.....so you've heard...wink, wink. Had to give Dude some grief. But it's looking real promising so far.

[Bassman]

Looks like it's working great. I'm afraid to do that to any of my cast iron. I'm so
old, I may never get it smoothed back out again.

[RowdyRay]

Think one of the posts got lost. The little volunteer skillet turned out great after seasoning it. The lid for my 8" skillet turned out great too, but can't find that pic. Found another 8" Lodge skillet and threw that in too.

[RowdyRay]

Dad has a fishing buddy that restores old cars. Hauls in scrap metal for recycling. Says he's been using drain cleaner to clean up rusty parts for years. Uses a liquid generic brand from the dollar store called "the works". Puts the parts right in it.

Someone threw a 10 1/2" round griddle in his trailer. He saved it for me. It's old and has a real black finish to it. Too bad it's scratched up, it takes years to build up that finish. It's almost measurable, it's that thick. Dad thinks it would work nice up north. Hope to clean it up and bring up hunting.

[sweet_magnolia]

WOW! Great job, RR! How's the 10 1/2 griddle looking?