Worth pointing out that when a bunch of snow melts from a warm up the humidity climbs. One has to be super vigilant to avoid the tinsel fairy. Ladles, skimmers, strainers for WW clips, spoons, molds and any lead ingot or scrap lead stored outside will condense moisture at the drop of a hat. May look dry but there will be moisture present and as it approaches hot lead it can condense. You can see an ingot that looks totally dry, yet turn it over and find it covered with beads of water.
Everything gets pre-warmed before use with lead, melting scrap or alloys for ingots the pot gets filled and anything added will have to be added as the bottom melts but before the top turns liquid so I can set it on top to pre-heat and not have it go under the molten lead.
My slotted spoon "rumbled" a bit despite having a few seconds with the tip in molten lead to warm. Just so much moisture in the air or on surfaces that I have to insert it slowly after a longer period of pre-heating.
Nice being able to go out in the garage and open the door while doing some ingot making, not nice if the molten lead blasts all over. Don't know about you but if my ladle goes "whoomp" and recoils in my hand I'm pretty close to needing to change some clothing. Stay safe.