picked up a cast iron dutch oven

[bigarm]

I picked up a cheap cast iron dutch oven from Harbor Freight and have a silly question. I know if you are using cast iron to cook in you have to season it. If you are going to smelt in it, do you need to do anything special?

[bobthenailer]

Nothing special ! make sure to use the lid when smelting , heats up faster , also drill a hole in lid and put in a turkey frier thermoter to keep smelt temp under 700 degrees so Zinc doesen't enter mix.

[bangerjim]

Just watch thermal shock. Those cheap ovens for HF are extremely thin CI and will shatter if you shock them with rapid temp changes.

[flyingmonkey35]

Edit

Dutch oven lead soup recipe.

Put the pot on the heat source and add your lead of choice.

Bring to temp. Once simmering strain off the debrieas off top.

*** some saw dust and stir.

Stain again

You can add some tin or antomny for flavor.

More dust. Strain again.

Pour in to your mold of choice.

Let cool and serve

[bigarm]

Just watch thermal shock. Those cheap ovens for HF are extremely thin CI and will shatter if you shock them with rapid temp changes.

So warm them up slowly? Is that what you are saying? I have put ads on local facebook yardsale and craigslist with no response, so when I saw this I just bought it. I haven't opened the box, so I can return it the next time I go to Missoula.

[flyingmonkey35]

No just don't drop it a hot pot in water.

It would mostlikey crack.


I picked these up at a yard sale over the weekend.

2 10.5
2 6

[bangerjim]

Monkey said it..........NO THERMAL SHOCK! Do not cool it down rapidly.

banger

[country gent]

My harbor frieght dutch oven lasted almost 20 years before it cracked. Start heat out on loaded pot with heat low for 10-15 mins then increase. Warm it some first so expansion is slow and even.

[bigarm]

Ok, thanks. I think I understand now. No sudden changes in temperature! That is probably good advice for all pans.

[Dave Bulla]

Most importantly, mark it "Lead pot, NOT for food use".

I love good cast iron for cooking and have more than once seen obvious lead smelting pots at estate sales being sold as cooking pots, bean pots etc. Sometimes when you tell them about it they just shrug and walk away, sometimes they get pi$$y about it but sometimes they say thank you and change the label.

You DO NOT want to cook food in a pot that has been used for smelting no matter how much you clean it.

I'm a total noob at casting and smelting but my method is to just start it on low with lead already in it so the lead on the bottom has a chance to start melting "gently". After the first time, you might leave a small amount of lead in the bottom, say 1/4 to 1/2". This is sort of like your "soup starter. Being left in the bottom, it will have full surface coverage for better heat transfer next time you want to melt more lead. You put all your lead scrap in the pot in chunks or ingots and the lead on the bottom will melt first and start melting the chunks. Probably not necessary but oh well.

[bangerjim]

NEVER drain you pot......either smelting or casting! Speeds up initial melt and start-up due to raid heat transfer. Like Dave said........leave a small layer in there for next time.

banger

[dudel]

NEVER drain you pot......either smelting or casting! Speeds up initial melt and start-up due to raid heat transfer. Like Dave said........leave a small layer in there for next time.

banger

Should also serve as a good reminder not to fry your eggs on the lead.

[bigarm]

Thanks for the information. We definitely won't be using it for cooking. My wife ruined a cast iron skillet and since then refuses to use one. It will be kept with the casting equipment in the shop which is a separate building from the house. Never knew to keep some lead in it for the next time. Good information.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Cast iron needs/should be heated up and cooled down slowly or it can/may crack. As well, it does not like to be hit/struck specially when hot. That includes tapping. Dutch ovens that have a logo cast into the bottom; that is where the bottom is thinner and more likely to crack. Even when cold cast iron can shatter if dropped or if something is dropped on it. It can be welded, but I suggest that you ask a welder about it first. LLS

[WILCO]

do you need to do anything special?

Let someone know not to use it for food consumption.

[Jungle867]

Leave the extra lead in it, saves time and prevents shock.

[wrench man]

Cast iron can be welded, but I suggest that you ask a welder about it first. LLS

Yes it can, BUT!, by the time you purchase Nickle rod, they literally sell it by the individual rod!, it can't be welded with a wire machine, and pay for the welders TIME! to weld the iron, you can find three new/used ones, welding cast iron is reserved for VERY! expensive items or obsolete antiques.

[Dave Bulla]

Not to mention you need a fairly talented welder to get it done well.

[ncbearman]

Buy mine! Steel. Large or small.

Attachment 122573

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...melting-Pot(s)

[Bonz]

Buy mine! Steel. Large or small.

Attachment 122573

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...melting-Pot(s)

How about a price + shipping cost for each size