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Crazy to see my very non-tech hobby talked about here on HN. I love vintage cast iron, with Griswold being my favorite. This is a great write-up for someone get

Crazy to see my very non-tech hobby talked about here on HN. I love vintage cast iron, with Griswold being my favorite. This is a great write-up for someone getting started in the hobby. Next level stuff once you're ready is to look into building your own electrolysis tank to safely and effectively clean and restore rusty/dirty pieces. There are several good FB groups on the topic, here's one: https://facebook.com/groups/ElectrolysisTanks https://facebook.com/groups/ElectrolysisTanks

SECProto 5y ago
It's interesting, I love cast iron for the exact opposite reason: I find it to be very utilitarian and not demanding of my time like a hobby. Definitely have not had any need to build an electrolysis tank. I did use a wire cup on my drill to smooth the surface of my $20 lodge pan a couple years after I got it, about 14 years ago. That was worth the 20 minutes extra effort (plus reseasoning)
- arcticbull 5y ago
  I love my Lodge 10” skillet. Cook everything in it. Can’t beat natural non stick, no PFOAs to worry about, great heat retention, oven safe and induction compatible. Plus they’re indestructible and learning how to look after and season them was fun. Agreed about the utilitarianism, but I could see getting really into it haha.
hagbard_c 5y ago
Electrolysis tank? Humbug! I use mostly cast iron utensils since I cook on a wood-burning stove. Most of the stuff was gathered from abandoned houses and as such often quite rusty. The solution here is no electrolysis tank but a rotary steel brush on a drill. Clean the thing until it no longer gives off dust, then shove it on the oven (can be done while preparing food since the oven gets hot anyway). Take it out after an hour or 2, brush off remaining crud, oil it and back in the oven for seasoning. Take it out after half an hour or so, wipe and simply start using it. As long as you use it and wipe/rinse it afterwards it will just get better.

SECProto 5y ago

It's interesting, I love cast iron for the exact opposite reason: I find it to be very utilitarian and not demanding of my time like a hobby. Definitely have not had any need to build an electrolysis tank. I did use a wire cup on my drill to smooth the surface of my $20 lodge pan a couple years after I got it, about 14 years ago. That was worth the 20 minutes extra effort (plus reseasoning)

arcticbull 5y ago
I love my Lodge 10” skillet. Cook everything in it. Can’t beat natural non stick, no PFOAs to worry about, great heat retention, oven safe and induction compatible. Plus they’re indestructible and learning how to look after and season them was fun. Agreed about the utilitarianism, but I could see getting really into it haha.

hagbard_c 5y ago

Electrolysis tank? Humbug! I use mostly cast iron utensils since I cook on a wood-burning stove. Most of the stuff was gathered from abandoned houses and as such often quite rusty. The solution here is no electrolysis tank but a rotary steel brush on a drill. Clean the thing until it no longer gives off dust, then shove it on the oven (can be done while preparing food since the oven gets hot anyway). Take it out after an hour or 2, brush off remaining crud, oil it and back in the oven for seasoning. Take it out after half an hour or so, wipe and simply start using it. As long as you use it and wipe/rinse it afterwards it will just get better.