Yuuuck

[simon1]

Yucky dutch oven that the self-cleaning cycle in the regular oven didn't clean up.

Didn't want to run it through the regular oven again or use a vinegar/water solution...so I chunked it in my handy-dandy, ultra-modern, high-tech electrolysis machine.

Much better now.

Especially after an initial re-seasoning.

 

[SiBurning]

Nice!!!

Can you describe how you built the electrolysis machine? What are the electrodes made of, what voltage/current, and what's the liquid.

Is that pot as smooth as it looks? Mine has a lumpy surface and I don't use it because of that. If it's smooth, what is it? I want one! I'll send it to you for initial cleaning and seasoning.

 

[ouch]

Wow.

 

[DFrancis]

Nicely done.

 

[Loric]

Slick move! It looks brand new.

I will not make a dutch oven joke.... I will not make a dutch oven joke.... I will not make a dutch oven joke....

 

[simon1]

Is that pot as smooth as it looks? Mine has a lumpy surface and I don't use it because of that. If it's smooth, what is it? I want one! I'll send it to you for initial cleaning and seasoning.

It's just a Lodge...bought it at the Army Surplus years ago. I'm hiding my face due to letting it get in that condition in the first place.

Nice!!!

Can you describe how you built the electrolysis machine? What are the electrodes made of, what voltage/current, and what's the liquid.

That's a professional secret!!!

Just kidding.

Instructions and some pics. of some set-ups are here.

I went to Wally World but couldn't find any Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (don't use Baking Soda), so I walked over to their Garden Center and found some hth brand pH plus in their swimming pool supplies. 98% Sodium Carbonate.

It took 5 gallons and 1 quart of water to get the coverage that I wanted, then added the 5 tablespoons and 1/4 tablespoon of Sodium Carbonate. Made sure it was dissolved before I put the other items in.

I initially just put some pvc elbows under the pot to raise it up and used the piece of channel iron I had lying around as an anode, but after an hour I used bolt cutters to trim an old grid, from a charcoal grill I'm throwing away, to a size that would fit in the plastic tub. Then put it under the channel iron where they would touch, then duct taped the channel iron to the tub again so it wouldn't fall over. Stainless Steel is supposed to be the best material...but I didn't have any.

Used a couple of pieces of pvc pipe to keep the oven off of the grid...put some elbows on them so they wouldn't roll around.

Then just hooked up my little battery charger...black battery clamp to the pot, this clamp can be submerged...red battery clamp to the channel iron, DO NOT submerge the red clamp in the liquid.

Set the battery charger to manual (I think I read somewhere that it has to be set to manual to work), and to 12 volt and 12 amp. They say 35 amps is perfect but I don't have but one battery charger.

WARNING WILL ROBINSON! WARNING WILL ROBINSON! The process puts off hydrogen gas...so don't do this where there will be any pilot lights or flames. And do it in a well ventilated area...like outside. I hear that even a spark from the clamps could be...well, I'll let you figure it out. Remember the Hindenburg!!!

Left it for about 14 hours. I think it could have used a little more time, but it started raining (gully washer) and I didn't think it was prudent to leave the battery charger plugged in and outside at that point in time.

I usually leave an oven heating for several hours on initial seasoning, but this time I used the instructions on the link...hotted up the naked oven at 450, and then let it heat for 30 minutes at 400 after oiling. I think it turned out rather well.

Some pics. of the very simple, but very effective set-up.

 

[simon1]

Slick move! It looks brand new.

I will not make a dutch oven joke.... I will not make a dutch oven joke.... I will not make a dutch oven joke....

Oh, come on.

I wanna hear the joke!

 

[Masterkova]

That is awesome! I know nothing of chemistry - what would that process do to old razors?

 

[_JP_]

That method sure beats mine, which uses lots of Elbow Grease. Scrub like crazy, heat it hot as possible upside down on a propane grill, scrub again. Then season.

 

[Jim]

Post of the week!

 

[ouch]

Admit it, Jim- you're building one as we speak.

 

[Austin]

Wow.

Double wow!

 

[Jim]

Admit it, Jim- you're building one as we speak.

Actually I am going to ruin a few pots just to try it! I have everything I need to do it in my shop already.

You have to love this place.

 

[SiBurning]

You think it'll work for a samovar that's been neglected since 1878? These days, it makes a nice fake-flower pot.

 

[simon1]

That is awesome! I know nothing of chemistry - what would that process do to old razors?

You think it'll work for a samovar that's been neglected since 1878? These days, it makes a nice fake-flower pot.

I'm no chemist either, but the process might take the plating off.

Maybe one of the professional members with more knowledge about this than I have can chime in.

Or I guess I could just Google it.

 

[SmoovD]

Very cool remedy. Thanks for sharing.

 

[icedoverfire]

That's awesome!

 

[the_ogre25]

Nice!!!

Can you describe how you built the electrolysis machine? What are the electrodes made of, what voltage/current, and what's the liquid.

Is that pot as smooth as it looks? Mine has a lumpy surface and I don't use it because of that. If it's smooth, what is it? I want one! I'll send it to you for initial cleaning and seasoning.

To smooth out my newer lodge pan I used a small palm sander and just went from 80 grit sandpaper down to I think 500. And then re seasoned it.

 

[Monkeydad]

So it's a regular auto battery trickle charger?


I have one of those. Does the pot have any electric/static charge left in it after the process? I'd really like to know because I have metal in my feet and both arms...I already get shocked enough from anything and everything.


The top of my gas grilll has a little rust on the top of it. I am planning on refurbishing it with new hardware, a fresh starter, hi-temp black paint job, etc next year to make it like new again instead of replacing.

OF COURSE, I'll remove the lid and do it nowhere near the tank.

Just wondering if this will work well and I'll survive the process.

 

[simon1]

So it's a regular auto battery trickle charger?

Yup, set on manual...not slow charge.

I have one of those. Does the pot have any electric/static charge left in it after the process? I'd really like to know because I have metal in my feet and both arms...I already get shocked enough from anything and everything.

Didn't notice any.

The top of my gas grilll has a little rust on the top of it. I am planning on refurbishing it with new hardware, a fresh starter, hi-temp black paint job, etc next year to make it like new again instead of replacing.

OF COURSE, I'll remove the lid and do it nowhere near the tank.

Just wondering if this will work well and I'll survive the process.

Cast iron is the only thing I've tried it on; don't know how it would work on other types of metal. Guess you could try it and see if it blows up.