Electrolysis to clean cast iron ???? UPDATE

[Yaworski]

I think the collectors use ez off oven cleaner to clean cast iron pans, but I'm afraid of that stuff.

Whenever I buy a used cast iron pan, I clean it with EZ Off. I do it in the driveway so I don't get gassed. Fresh cast iron and fresh seasoning.

I've never tried electrolysis, I generally use white vinegar to remove rust. On Youtube there's an Italian guy who does gun stuff and has concocted his own rust remover that works better than the commercial products.

 

[blume357]

I guess I'm going to have to go on YouTube to figure out what you guys are talking about..... seems like I remember something about electrolysis from back in high school but I thought it was for putting a coating on something not taking it off?

 

[peachhead]

I guess I'm going to have to go on YouTube to figure out what you guys are talking about..... seems like I remember something about electrolysis from back in high school but I thought it was for putting a coating on something not taking it off?

In electrolysis, you have your rusty piece of metal, a piece of donor iron and electrical charge going through a washing soda solution. The charge induces the rust off of your good piece of metal and transfers it to the donor metal. That's the simple version.

I've been tempted to try it myself on an old Smith but I'm assuming that the process will remove all finishes. That's what is holding me back.

 

[cellar701]

It will be interesting to see how the carbon and fatty buildup responds to electrolysis. I get/understand the corrosion and metal ions part of it but the other crud is going to be different.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks for all the comments, it's very helpful.

For starters, here are some before pictures.

I realize a lot would scrape off with a good washing and scrubbing. But like I said, it's the electrolysis that my daughter and I want to try.

So I'm not going to try and wash it first. Later yes, if the electrolysis doesn't work. And yeah, I didn't think about the non rusty bits, if they will come off or not.

I have used vinegar to get light surface rust off of other cast iron. It actually works very well. I've even used a drill and wire brush with some success too. But we will see!

For the record, this pan was $10 at the Galveston Goodwill. Thrift stores are going crazy with their prices.

 

[Yaworski]

That looks like a Wagner Ware chicken fryer. Nice. I have one, use it almost every day as a big skillet.

All that crusty stuff is seasoning that is starting to peel. I'd clean it with EZ Off and get all that crusty seasoning off before I attacked the rust. Season it well and it will last another hundred years.

If you're experienced with cast iron, ignore the next comment. Always heat your cast iron gently. Start out with a low heat until the pan warms up. Hitting a cold pan with high heat can warp the bottom and you'll have wobble.

BTW, I paid $35 for mine on eBay a couple years back. You got a deal. My original chicken fryer cracked and I had to search for a replacement.

 

[coach]

What about baked on carbon on the outside of a cast iron pan? The inside is nice and seasoned but I think cleaning the outside may help it to get hot quicker. I read that putting it in a hot fire would bake off the carbon but didn't want to risk cracking the pan. Has anybody tried that.

 

[eveled]

My Dad always put my Mom's in the fire. Never seemed to hurt them.

It will clean the outside but you will loose the seasoning inside too, it will look new and be susceptible to flash rust.

 

[Kevin]

UPDATE:

So it worked: I used the electrolysis twice. The first time it got the majority of the rust and some of the crud off. I think it just loosened the crud build up which was on top of the rust.

Then I got some EZ OFF oven cleaner and used that twice, letting it soak for about 30 minutes each time.

All in all, with the battery charger, I think I'm in this pan about $75 or $80. Definitely not worth it, except for the experience. And plus my daughter saw how electrolysis works.

I probably won't even use the pan. I like Carbon Steel much better than cast iron. And this pan is old and the quality isn't there compared to the good quality cast iron these days. Like the "Smithy" brand for example. Of course they cost a whole lot more.

Here are some pictures, hopefully in chronological order.

The last few pictures show a mostly clean pan. I'm going to try and chip away some of the black spots without scratching the pan.

But you can see some of the casting flaws in the old pan. And that is definitely a crack in the handle. It's also thin for cast iron. I don't think it will ever be a favorite pan.

 

[RoninPA]

Kevin, you dun good - it's not far from being a usable pan. Although you said you probably wouldn't use it, I would try it out on a few different foods and see how it does. It could become a favorite pan for certain specific foods. I have cast iron that I only use for specific cooking and once seasoned and used that way they work great.

 

[Kevin]

I just spent 20 minutes with a wire brush on the electric drill. So it's a little better, but it's as clean as it will get.

Ron,
I see I'm typing at the same time. Yeah I will try it out. And I'm the same. I have some pans I use for specific things, like onions and peppers in this one pan that doesn't get used for much else.

But my wife and daughter are going out of town this coming weekend, I might go buy one of those nice carbon steel pans.

 

[contender]

As you see,, the process works.

KUDOS!!!!!!!

But you spent FAR more than necessary by purchasing a charger like that. I have built them using left over small charger packs from old or MIA devices I have around here. I can build an electrolysis unit for about $5.00-$10.00. And that's if I have to buy the clamps to add to the wires on the charger unit.

Heck,, a Goodwill cheapie charger,, and a pair of electronic clamps & I'm good to go.

I may have to do the same thing,, and document how I'd do it,, on the cheap for folks here. (Many folks here like cheaper methods of doing stuff!) I think I still have a rusty old cast iron frying pan I found somewhere.

 

[Kevin]

As you see,, the process works.

KUDOS!!!!!!!

But you spent FAR more than necessary by purchasing a charger like that. I have built them using left over small charger packs from old or MIA devices I have around here. I can build an electrolysis unit for about $5.00-$10.00. And that's if I have to buy the clamps to add to the wires on the charger unit.

Heck,, a Goodwill cheapie charger,, and a pair of electronic clamps & I'm good to go.

I may have to do the same thing,, and document how I'd do it,, on the cheap for folks here. (Many folks here like cheaper methods of doing stuff!) I think I still have a rusty old cast iron frying pan I found somewhere.

Thanks,
I would like to see how you do it. The battery charger was $40 something. The EZ OFF is $9 at Home Depot! Then I bought a new paint scraper and some masks for the fumes. The pan was $10 originally. That's how I got to my total expense. Oh and I bought a box of the soda wash powder, that was $6 at Wal Mart.

But are you talking about just one of those plug in the wall chargers? Yes I would like to see how you do it.

I am disappointed in the casting quality. But this pan is old, old, old. The stamping isn't deep, there is no heat ring on the bottom and it has the 1058J stamped in the bottom as well. I think it's from the early 50's or before that even.

 

[contender]

Ok,, I'll see about it. I actually have one already built,, but I can't remember where I put it.

 

[coach]

I looks like you did a good job. Sometimes you just need to experiment and try something for the experience and fun of it. And it didn't break the bank and now you have a battery charger when you need it.

 

[Kevin]

I looks like you did a good job. Sometimes you just need to experiment and try something for the experience and fun of it. And it didn't break the bank and now you have a battery charger when you need it.

Oh yeah, no, I'm not upset about anything. All the stuff I bought can use other times.

I did use the pan today. One thing the older cast iron has for an advantage over say Lodge is the slick surface. It's so much smoother than even my non stick skillet.

Even something simple like potatoes and onions is just a joy to cook.

 

[RoninPA]

Good for you Kevin Well, even the newer cast pans/skillets will get that way over time. I'm training my granddaughter on use and care of the cast iron we've bought her (SHE asked for it). I told her to use metal utensils, that will help slick things up over time. I have one skillet that is only for eggs. A little bacon grease, and the eggs (no matter how they are fixed) come out as easy as if a non stick (maybe easier).