Some Cast Iron I have found and restored

centfladigger · May 17, 2014

I have found about 15 or so pieces of good cast iron over the last few years in the Foreclosed homes. I had 1 house last year that the local dope heads broke into and stole the fridge and stove, the thing is when they took the stove they emptied the pull out drawer and dumped 3 Griswolds, a skillet, a dutch oven and a frying pan to lighten the load, lol idiots . I strip them and re-season all my cast iron. I didn't take before and afters on all pieces, I have found Griswold, Wagner and Piqua ware and the newer Lodge and a few unmarked of which I have identified a few some dating back to the 30`s-40`s . All my family now has at least 1 real good piece to cook with

Justice70 · May 17, 2014

Very nice. Would you mind going over your cleaning method?

centfladigger · May 17, 2014

I put the cast iron in my oven and set on cleaner setting for an hour to 2 hours. after it cools I take it out and wash it down, then I take the drill and wire brush( found the drill also) to knock off all the rust. I wash it in hot soapy water and put in the oven at 200 for 30 minutes, take it out and put lard all over it. put in the oven at 400 for an hour

bigcaddy64 · May 17, 2014

Its not for everybody but if you can get yourself an old can of lye, that works pretty good. I found a few cans of Red Devil lye at an estate sale for a few bucks and when i bought some old cast iron later that week, i decided to give it a shot. Sprinkle the lye into the water filled bucket (important!!) and just let it sit for a few days. It will not remove rust, just built up grease and grime. This method is an accepted method by the Wagner/Griswold collectors association.

I've had pans with smooth bottoms reveal a small griswold logo under ¼" of grease. It will slowly soften the grime to where it will pull off in large sheets to reveal spotless cast iron.

centfladigger · May 17, 2014

I have used straight vinegar it will knock the rust off. I have heard oven cleaner will work but that takes to long

pebble · May 17, 2014

rust

i dug up a piece of about 14 gauge metal with a lot of rust. How long does it need to set in vinegar to get rud of the rust? Pebble

centfladigger · May 17, 2014

I`m to impatient to wait a long time, I do have a Wilton Vise soaking now in some vinegar, so far it is 4 days and has knocked off a good bit of built up rust. I will take it out today and start with the wire brush

Tigger · May 17, 2014

I would avoid oven cleaner on something I'm gonna cook in. Is lye safe to later cook in?

I love cooking with cast iron, though I've never been comfortable with the 'just rinse it out' method of cleaning. I cheat - if you do it real quick, you can use dish soap on it after cooking, just finish by putting it on a burner and take a paper towel with oil on it and rub it in real good, the heat makes the oil soak right in, and no rust forms later. And I live in humid Florida.

bigcaddy64 · May 17, 2014

The lye is safe once it's rinsed off with water. I've used it's lots of personal pans and have suffered no ill effects

Tigger · May 17, 2014

cool. good to know!

Justice70 · May 17, 2014

Very good info....thanx everyone.

vpnavy · May 17, 2014

Nice buys. Thanks for sharing...

diggummup · May 18, 2014

Good thread. I have a large box of cast iron skillets and such. Several of them need to be restored and seasoned. Down here you can fine cast iron skillets for little to nothing. So much so that I quit buying them. I hear they sell pretty well up north at sales.

2ndisbest · May 18, 2014

diggummup said:
Good thread. I have a large box of cast iron skillets and such. Several of them need to be restored and seasoned. Down here you can fine cast iron skillets for little to nothing. So much so that I quit buying them. I hear they sell pretty well up north at sales.

Whenever I find them they are always hanging on somebody's wall and estate sales companies are asking at least $20-$30 each cause they look so "rustic". The one brand I do know is Griswold but have yet to find any. And they all generally look like the before pictures too. Maybe if I see some at garage sales I will pick them up. Any other makers I should be looking for besides Griswold? Ok Wagner Ware looks like a good brand too, especially the pie logo ones.

diggummup · May 18, 2014

2ndisbest said:
Whenever I find them they are always hanging on somebody's wall and estate sales companies are asking at least $20-$30 each cause they look so "rustic". The one brand I do know is Griswold but have yet to find any. And they all generally look like the before pictures too. Maybe if I see some at garage sales I will pick them up. Any other makers I should be looking for besides Griswold? Ok Wagner Ware looks like a good brand too, especially the pie logo ones.

Some of the "Lodge" stuff sells pretty good too.

bigcaddy64 · May 18, 2014

I too have seen the high prices of cast iron at estate sales. It seems companies look on ebay, find the highest price and then split the price down the middle. Your best bet is finding it at garage sales where they can be had for 5.00 or less.

For me, the best part of old cast iron is two-fold. It gives you a simple weekend project that will give you satisfying results within a few days and, most importantly, using it!! Selling it is determined by the next step. Currently I have a 10" Wagner skillet that i use almost once a week to make a bbq chicken and another 5.00 vintage LeCruset flat griddle pan which i cook my breakfast on every weekend. I've always made sure that if i plan on selling a piece of cast iron, it needs to be used by me at least once before i can let it go. That way i can decide if it really needs to be sold or kept for future use. :thumbsup:

If you plan on regularly buying/selling cast iron, i would stick with Griswold/Wagner, but make sure its in good condition. Clean it, season it and then you can decided if its good to sell. Some pieces are just too nice to let go

My old man cooks on his great grandmothers Griswold Dutch oven a few times a week and has never had a problem or needed to replace it. Does anybody think young kids will be cooking on handed down "non-stick" pans when they become adults?