Cast Iron Restoration Question ...

I wouldn't use lye. People say it is safe, but that iron is too porous for me wanting to use that method. I'd say the same for anyone wanting to use an oven cleaner

Electrolysis or just burn it off in a big fire

I have always used the fireplace. It works well.

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What ration of lye to water do you use in your lye bath?

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1LB PER 5 GALLONS OF WATER IS STANDARD.

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How long do you let it soak?

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IT VARIES. EACH PIECE IS DIFFERENT. TAKES LONGER IN COLD WEATHER. FIGURE A WEEK OR SO. JUST CHECK IT EVERY FEW DAYS.

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Any particular brand of lye you use?

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I USE RED DEVIL. ANY BRAND WOULD WORK.

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Where do you usually buy it from?

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HARDWARE STORES AND NOT ALL OF THEM CARRY IT. --- GROCERY STORES TYPICALLY DON'T CARRY IT.


THE ONLY DANGER USING A LYE BATH IS MIXING THE LYE. ADD THE LYE AFTER YOU FILL THE CONTAINER WITH WATER. I GENERALLY WEAR EYE PROTECTION. TIE A WIRE TO EACH PIECE TO LIFT IT OUT WHEN CHECKING THE PROGRESS.

I’ve never used the lye method, but I would not worry about any lingering lye. For goodness sakes, pretzels get a dunk in a lye bath before baking and we eat them.

And olives are cured in Lye.

To echo Bob...

I use lye exclusively.

I don't measure the lye anymore. I generally do a few pieces at a time now so it's a large Rubbermaid tub. About half the lye container. Pour into water carefully! Use gloves handling until you've rinsed the lye off well.

A week usually does the trick.

Ace Hardware. Or Amazon. Bought some from a soap store earlier this year when there had been a run on all household cleaners.

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I bet just running it in the oven during a cleaning cycle would take care of most of it

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I have no personal experience with this method. The general consensus among collectors etc I know advise against it. It has been known to damage ovens, and even cause fires. Proceed with caution.

Vinegar works well for rust. Acetic acid breaks the iron oxide bond. It's not as effective for carbon build-up.

Electrolysis takes care of both. I use lye bath and then short vinegar soak depending on how bad of shape the piece starts in.

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You can use regualr old vinegar as well to get it down to the base metal as well.

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Ive used this method several times over the years redoing old CI that I come across.
Soak the pot in regular vinegar over night and hit whatever is left with a wire brush.

This guy is the cast iron guru....

Youtube link...The Culinary Fanatic