Steel muffin tin problem

[Barnowl]

Thanks for all the input.
I do use a couple of Lyman molds, a NOE mold, and homemade angle iron molds. The tin muffin pan was just used for extra capacity.

Kevin

[rondog]

Yeah, I also use the Lyman molds. Bonus - the 1lb. ingots fit perfectly into .30 cal USGI ammo cans. I can get 65 bars into a can, have 10 cans currently filled and stashed, and enough extras for 2 more cans, just ran out of cans.

[6mm win lee]

For those who want to buy that special someone a cast iron muffin pan for Saint Swithin's Day I give you this.

Cast Iron Muffin Pan SKU: L5P3
https://www.lodgecastiron.com/produc...n-pan?sku=L5P3

.

[Rich/WIS]

Have been using the one piece aluminum pans for years with no issues. Have seen similar to the Op's post with the type that have the cups pressed into the flat sheet. Have a stack of them, both full size and the mini size. Don't think I ever paid more than $2 and mostly about $1. I am not fussy about ingots and these work good enough for me. Not to mention I am too cheap to but "real" ingot molds.

[gwpercle]

I used a sheet steel muffin tin today to cast ingots in and found that the lead would not release from the molds. It was a recycled used muffin tin. Maybe it had some kind of coating that melted and bonded the lead to the mold. I tried heating the mold some over the burner to see if they would loosen up but no luck. Here is a pic of the end result of separating lead from molds. What was the problem?

Kevin

Attachment 296827

Your problem is you used Steel muffin pans ... you should have used Aluminum ... lead doesnt stick to them . Wilton makes one piece aluminum pans ...Mini-Muffin and Mini-Load .
Been using them about 40 years ...no stick ! www.wilton.com
There are one or two other companies that make Aluminum Baking Pans ...but you have to search hard for aluminum pans ...even Wilton tries to hide them every one wants to sell you steel and steel sucks rocks.

The aluminum pans pressed from one piece of aluminum will be idiot proof ... I use them with 100% success and I'm the biggest idiot on the block !
Gary

[popper]

They don't solder in or stick. The muffin cups expand more than lead and contract more. You gotta dump them before completely cold. Rust & grunge helps the release but temp is the main problem.

[Sasquatch-1]

I bought 3 of these on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond several years ago and casted over a half ton of ingots with them without any problems.

[gwpercle]

They don't solder in or stick. The muffin cups expand more than lead and contract more. You gotta dump them before completely cold. Rust & grunge helps the release but temp is the main problem.

I'm sorry ...temperature isn't the main problem ... the main problem is the materal .
A aluminum mini muffin pan needs no rust , no fire , no coating and no special temperature and will not stick .
Just try a one-piece Aluminum mini muffin pan once ... I double dog dare you to try one .
Gary

[imashooter2]

Tried one. Have a nice pile of Lyman iron and aluminum ingot molds due to the experience.

[fredj338]

If looking for cheap tins, go aluminum, not steel. If steel, burning with a torch & allowing them to rust is a good bet, but aluminum should work fine. Iron are probably best. Old cast iron bread stick or corn bread molds are great.