Best Cast Iron Rust Removal Method Using Electrolysis - GardenFork
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- Опубліковано 19 лип 2016
- Restore and remove rust from cast iron using a battery charger electrolysis setup. More Cast Iron Cleaning and Seasoning vids: goo.gl/zKd03t Subscribe here: goo.gl/3zM702
For removing rust from cast iron and restoring it, we found this electrolysis method with a manual battery charger works great. Be sure to use washing soda, 1 tablespoon per gallon of water.
Here is the battery charger we use: amzn.to/29VBVDx
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For a video of someone doing electrochemistry in his backyard I am possitively surprised by all the legitemate warnings like: "Hydrogen gas = not inside and do not smoke" and "Stainless steel should not be used as since it releases carcinogens". By no means a complete explaination of the chemistry happening - but straight to the point in layman's terms.
Good job GardenFork - Kudos from a chemical engineer.
I use the same method on a lot of rusty metal items (including old cooking gear) - but instead of a battery charger, I hook it up to an 80 watt solar panel.Takes a little longer as there's no charge at night time, but who cares - it doesn't cost me anything. Works well on rusty old tools from the workshop, and on rusty engine components too.
had not thought of a solar panel to restore cast iron, thanks for that!
you can use anything that puts out a strong enough DC current, basically
Were you using an 80 watt battery charger or just a solar panel in general? Do all solar panels just put out DC volts? How many amps?
Just curious, don't know much about solar panels. The battery charger I use I put on 12 volts and usually 6 amps although I'm sure that the 2 amp setting would work also, probably slower....
Jeff Stone solar panels is DC only. just like a battery output.
@@bodeine454 the video and you are using about 72 watts, amps x volts = watts
Not a chemist, but here's the deal. Stainless Steel contains chromium. Under electrolysis, the chromium is released from the alloy and can produce hexavalent chromium, a very potent carcinogen.
If you are going to do this more than a couple of times, get a length of rebar cut in 4 (or more) pieces an inch or so taller than your container. Fasten them to the corners. Then connect them electrically with a loop of wire.
Do not let copper get into the solution. It reduces the efficiency of the iron electrolysis and will deposit copper compounds in the solution.
Finally, don't use more solution than is needed. It slows the process and increases the electrical power required to complete the process.
good info, thanks for taking the time to write.
Clarification question: Are you suggesting to use the rebar in place of the metal cookie sheets from the video?
stainless steel is made with nickle, not chromium. Nickle is also a toxic metal.
Stainless steel is made by adding chromium. Unfortunately this makes the steel brittle, so nickel is added to make it stronger. 316 stainless has a little less chromium and nickel and has molybdenum added. Rebar tends to be mild steel - basically iron and a little carbon, same as mild steel tubing and such. Cast iron, especially older stuff, contains more carbon, but this should not be an issue.
I have one of those stand-up car chargers on wheels that plugs into regular outlet. Is this too much power or will it be just fine?
I've seen a few of these, I like yours the best it is down to earth and easy to understand.
Good video. Thank you for demonstrating proper restoration techniques.
I have watched so many video's trying to do this. This is an awesome video. I am now ready to try this. Thanks
My wife and I say that you are doing the world a favor! Thank you for your videos and please don't let the negative words bother you! Love from MILFORD MICHIGAN!!!
thx!
Kathleen and I enjoyed the video and used this cleaning system. Two cool things, first one of her collection turns out to be a 6" early Wagner that we couldn't read before cleaning. Couple of nice Griswolds also. Second is using our Camp Chef Pizza oven for the seasoning process---it works great! Her whole collection of 40 years is getting re-born!
yeah! great to hear and thanks for sharing. what fun.
Wow that's amazingly clean. Cast iron is so much fun to use and cook with. I don't know how to cook on anything else.
Really enjoyed the video and the information. I've been getting ready to do a set up but this was the first video I've seen talking about a manual charger. Saved some time and head scratching. Thank you!
yeah the manual charger is key. good luck!
loved the tutorial Sir! great video, cheers
Thank you for putting up this video. My 2000 Saturn needed a new hub and bering. while waiting for the parts, I made a simple unit using a bucket. 24hrs later my Spindle was brand new looking. Awesome. and thank you. FYI I used a 10amp charger.
good to hear! it works for cleaning metal. thx!
Great information, and I LOVE your personality!!!!!!
For those looking for "super washing soda" you can make your own without any risk. Just stick baking soda on a baking sheet in the oven at 250 for about an hour, stir it around 1/2 way through.
Edit : You'll be able to see the difference when it's been converted as the washing soda has a powdery texture(more like flour) while baking soda looks more like tiny crystals almost(more like salt)
What you're doing is basically cooking off water and carbon dioxide from 2 baking soda molecules to leave washing soda with water vapor and carbon dioxide being off-gassed. You can leave it below 212 but I'm not sure if it will fully convert if water remains below the boiling point and doesn't become a gas to escape. Not a chemist, just seems like over 212(depending on altitude) is a more reliable bet. I even put mine in at 350 just to get it done quicker.
This is also why baking soda works as a leavener (causes baked items to rise). The CO2 being released causes the food to expand and if timed correctly the food will become stable before it fully escapes leaving little air bubbles in the food making it less dense.
2 NaHCO3 > Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
Sodium Bicarbinate Sodium Carbinate
Baking soda Washing Soda
felt this important enough to hijack this post: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE STAINLESS STEEL METAL AS YOUR SACRIFICIAL STEEL. IT WILL PRODUCE HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM FUMES THAT CAN GIVE YOU OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA AS WELL AS SORES IN YOUR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM WITH REPEATED EXPOSURE, and it will probably make your cast iron cookware not safe for use. tread carefully, people.
@@magosauxilliarusy2k4theomn98 I've seen videos of people using stainless steel as their sacrificial tubs and monitor the gassing. They say that eventhough a toxic gas is technically produced, at the level they dealt with, it was insignificant.
I got to tell you guys we have very similar interest. When I'm looking at various things boom gardenfork pops up. keep up the good work guys love your videos
Yeah!
I used an old PC power supply for my electrolysis tank, and it works surprisingly well. Nice video.
It's basically the same thing but an ATX can put out much more power. Those manual chargers are usually just a multi primary transformer going right into a rectifier.
OMGosh! Never seen anything like that! Very kewl video!
Good video. Thanks for showing people the right way to restore cast iron.
good to hear, not everyone agrees with us ;)
thanks for the advice! trying it today
nice video! I will be trying this soon.
Nice clear explanation, thanks.
Your best video. I used electrolysis to clean my cast iron before and your video was a great refresher curse. I remembered using 2 Amp and not 6 amp, is there any real difference and is one safer than the other or is there not a safety issue. Thanks.
Very cool .. Thanks for the clever procedure that works! HI
Great video and really cute dogs!!!
you are awesome! love ❤️ this video. so helpful thank you.
As always great video. I've been trying to find a video that spells out all of the steps including the wash mix and as usual you came through.
yeah! its not too hard, just have to have the correct battery charger. thx!
This vid makes me wanna clean some cast iron, very cool
Hey, Gardenfork , thanks for the great video really enjoyed it. I built mine with your knowledge but used some rebar in corners, Kitchen boss said NO on her pans 😂, Great Video New subscriber here friend.
Beautiful job! ...and well explained. I just purchased the GreaterGoods 10-inch cast iron skillet ($39.95) on Amazon. It has a milled cooking surface and is outstanding. It passed the egg test on the first try. It might be worth a try for you.
Cool cleaning method.
Very interesting Eric. Thanks. Best wishes Bob.
thx Bob, its a neat way to clean cast iron. thx!
I watched your seasoning video and am going to try flax seed oil next time I season a piece of cast iron.
I usually use Avocado oil for seasoning cast iron. This does require the use of a commercial oven or a residential oven in cleaning mode as the oven temperature has to reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit to polymerise the oil.
My understanding is that flax seed oil polymerises at 225 degrees Fahrenheit so a 300 degree oven will work.
Thanks for showing this
Great video, Eric!
go buy a battery charger!
This is the best video that gives me the right easy information to build my etank. Can I use borax instead of washing soda? If so, what ratio. I appreciate your video.
Great video!
great video ...thanks
Excellent! Thank you.
good to hear, i have some more cast iron to season during the holiday here. thx!
This is brilliant! Thank you for sharing. Now to find a manual charger.....
Glad it was helpful!😀
Love your dogs!!!
OK Eric, this looks like a great idea! We have what we need and I have a couple pieces of cast iron to give this a try. Additionally, did you know you can make your own washing soda by baking regular baking soda? There are videos on YT on how to do it.
did not know you could make your own washing soda, thanks for that. be sure to you use a manual charger, or else it wont work. thx!
just saw this post, I cleaned gorgeous old cast iron pans by putting them in your oven during the clean cycle! Literally come out looking brand new, just have to reseason them to use! someone may have told you this already! Love your posts!
thx for the info, i have heard of that, but the clean mode on our stove causes odor in the house, so i us this cast iron method. it all works!
LC that’s what I do, too. It has worked for me at least three times. BUT, I usually remove the bust of rust manually first with a cut potato and kosher salt.
It's also dangerous and can warp your cast iron skillet and most ovens aren't actually manufactured to properly withstand the temperature the cleaning cycle produces
Very very cool!!
Thank you sir
Thanks!
great idea. ..I have to try that on my gnarly old pan
thank you sire very interesting videos
Thx for watching!
Cool! Another project to take on when I'm able! Your pups crack me up! Just wanna grab 'em and love on 'em!
they are great, have to go thrown the ball now, its the end of the work day. thx!
I'm pretty new here commenting on UA-cam. There has been numerous projects that I researched and found that you had interest in the subject as well. I don't remember exactly all of them but I know there was a brick pizza oven. Smoking or dehydrating maybe rain barrels. I can't think of them all. I don't know if you're into the collectibles but I Got 5 pieces at an estate sale I one notch Lodge 2 Three Notch Lodge when BSR deep fryer and a BSR Square skillet. I also picked up a $10 manual charger and created a electric static tank. I have three of the five pieces done. It is so much faster then vinegar or easy off. I did use your $0.88 pan idea at Walmart. And I have learned that it takes care of both surface issues. Thank you so much for your guidance on so many subjects.
Sorry about the typos it corrects after I read it sometimes
great to hear Wes, thanks for the note and info. its great what you can get at sales, and thanks for watching the vids! eric.
😀
For the same reason you use wood for your pan, you can leave the wood in the solution without effect. There’s little to no metallic components in there so there wouldn’t be a reaction. The would could be used as a spacer in your setup
Thanks for that tip, who knew?
Very interesting!
the battery charger works great. thx!
Wonderful video Eric.
I use SS plates, I have done a lot of research and hundreds of pieces and it is perfectly safe at the amperages we are using. instead of the copper wire I use old metal coat hangers with the coating sanded off to hang my CI in the tank they cost nothing and last a long time.
Joedy Hicks, Winsted ct.
wow Joedy, thanks for that, Hello to Winsted. Love the DQ in town.
Ss will offgas chromium. Don't do that. Duh
@@chevysaregr8 chromium is not a gas. The concern is whether water soluble dichromate is formed.
Also does this just remove rust or will it also remove previous seasoning?
thanks
I think for cast cookware, I'll stick with the self cleaning oven method on a cool day (windows open)
HOWEVER
This is SO cool for lots of other treasures found!!!
Daughter of a retired electrician here.....LOVE this!!!!!
The stove method gets the organics (oils) off .... doesn't touch the rust. Electrolysis removes the rust without harming the cast iron.
You are the Best!!! THANK YOU!! I have a question about stubborn spots. I am stipping a cast iron lid. The lid is clean down to bare metal. There are small random black spots make the lid look bad. I tried scrubbing the top with brush to no avail. Once it is seasoned these spots make the lid look dirty and just not appealing to look at. Again it is down to bare metal. How do i get rid of these spots? Any suggestions? Should I leave it in the electrolysis bath longer like OVERNIGHT?
i don't think the spots can be removed, they are part of the metal now, thx!
Thanks for the video. I gotta get one of these put together. Saw a video of a guy that used "Graphite Plates"? And put more than one that were connected together around the perimeter of his tank. Interesting.
plain old metal works fine, people have told me putting 4 rebar rods on each side of the cast iron also works. Stainless steel is not good for this, i believe it releases some bad gases. thx!
Stainless steel can cause the release of hexavalent chromium. I think another people here mentioned it. That was the chemical of issue in the movie (based on real life) Erin Brokavich
Congratulações, bom trabalho.
I cannot find a manual battery charger. The one you have listed is no longer available on Amazon. I've been to several stores, and no one has one. I've got 29 pieces of cast iron to work on, but I'm up against a wall. Any suggestions?
I've done this with a couple 18 inch pieces of rebar and had good results. You're spot on regarding stainless steel, the fumes produced are dangerous and will hurt you.
i was curious whether rebar would work. i had read that the larger the surface area of the metal, the better the cleaning, but good to know about rebar. thx!
I use a tub about the same size as yours and 6 pieces of rebar evenly spaced around it. I'd think you might have to run it a bit longer but patience is in fact a virtue.
i will use rebar next time, thanks for that!
I've found that this method does not always remove the rust, but turns it into black rust (magnetite). I'm not 100% certain, but I can only guess that seasoning on top of rust will also reduce a bit of the rust to magnetite as the oil oxidizes.
If you clean stainless steel this way... you need to put in the mix an aluminum rod and a steel rod next to each other not touching... about an 1/8' away.. anode and cathode effect.. This effect changes the solution of chromium to an invert chromium 6... I forgot what the BAD chromium mix is with out the addition of this steel and aluminum combo... I build HHO fuel cells as a hobby and with 316 SS and KOH you need this combo to in effect clean the chromium solution to an inert solution..
Awesome vid. I thought copper created a toxic byproduct too?
Does this work as good as a self cleaning cycle in your oven??????/
Can you use a fencer for the electric
Just think of the lack of good tales of Moses had some baking soda. 212 to 350, less than a minute. Wait a sec... Someone cool down that fire.
Just did the manual method. Just for fun. Corrected some spot in the process that were annoying me while cooking eggs.
Thank you for the effort and... Science biatches!
does anyone know a good way to lead test an old pan? I just want some peace of mind that no one’s been melting lead-based metals in an antique pan i intend to cook with!
Excellent video. Do you HAVE to use a battery charger? I have 2 excellent quality 12V power supplies for ham radio equipment. Could I use one of those?
+BoboLaTuque not sure, they may have some sort of fuse or circuit breaker , but I'm not an electronics expert. Thx!
Thanks guys I have just set up to de-rust a small manhole. Bubbles are working away!
Yeah!
I just use a very low camp fire, basically coals, or a BBQ GRILL on about 350, after scrub out with plain steel wool, not soap pads, wipe down with veg shortening frequently as you go, keeping a thin coat only. The muck dissolves into the shortening. Keep wiping until clean, wear heatproof gloves.But this is a very interesting method and completely safe as long as you think before you act and do your research! Thanks.
+mark burress thx for sharing your technique. I love gadgets, hence the whole tank rig. Thx!
This is my exact method. It is easy and does not involve caustic oven cleaners, etc.
yes, the oven cleaner is not fun to breathe. thx!
I use Borax instead of Soda. It works for me.
How much boraxfor one gallon of water?
Does electrolysis also remove old blackened baked on gunk, built up oils etc.?
if its on metal, probably. this takes all the gunk off the cast iron nicely.
If I go buy some lengths of rebar, will they have some coating I need to remove with something--a wire brush?
You _can_ get rebar with a coating (I've seen it with green epoxy, not sure about any other options), but most of the stuff at the big box stores is just plain uncoated metal -- usually with some traces of rust if they've stored it outside.
Ive always thought its easier to buy new cast iron, not the most exspensive cookware. Good job though Eric👍
Drawbacks of new cast iron: Often it is made in China (try Lodge for USA Made). Also, it takes time to get a nice "non-stick" surface (through use). New cast iron is also not sanded on the inside at the factory. But, other than that, it's okay. I've got a mix of both, but all are US made.
looks like you were anodizing or doing some back yard gold plating. Thanks Eric for the videos.
Hi Scott, After doing this I was thinking we could try plating with the same rig thx!
+GardenFork there are many diy videos of people doing it. I always wonder if I can pull it off on my own products in my garage (hence the profile picture) I just leave it to the pros. lol ....thanks again Eric.
Can you use vinegar?
This is clearly such an important video, cause I couldn't read all the comments. Read most, so forgive me if this has already been asked. As we are in winter, does cold affect the process? I have a detached garage with two large doors, can I do it there?
Good question, thanks for asking! The process will still work but it will be slower, as I believe the cold affects the chemical process. Thx! Eric.
Can I use a small telephone battery pack?
I have a question. This is generally noted for rust removal on everything that I see. How does electrolysis do with carbon buildup? Well I presume I'm using the correct term it is the black layer that will build primarily on the bottom of the skillet.
Hi Wes, it does a pretty good job of peeling it off. If there's a lot of deep pitting on the bottom, the pan may still be pitted after the process, but that's not the fault of the electrolysis. if you don't want to buy a manual battery charger, you could try several cleanings with oven cleaner, here is a vid i did: ua-cam.com/video/n5ec24O49m4/v-deo.html
You can use an automatic battery charger if you hook it to a 12v automotive battery and then hook from the battery to the contacts in the electrolosis tank.
excellent info, thanks for that!
Great video. I'm really afraid of electricity, so will have to drop it in a fire, or scrub it and reseason it. Love the video and the labs. God Bless and take care.
Please don't. You could warp or crack a beautiful old vintage pan or dutch oven. Better to use electrolysis.
Electrolysis seems unnecessarily difficult anyways. I'd just alternate between full strength vinegar, CLR, and/or oven cleaner until the rust is gone. Do a final wash with soap and then vinegar. Rinse well and reseason.
@fqn Its not difficult at all. Google it and have a fun afternoon doing a science project.
I can set my skillet in a simple electrolysis tank and have it completely cleaned from rust and junk and re-seasoned while you are screwing around with all those soakings and harsh oven cleaners. Electrolysis is very simple and super effective. You have a battery charger with two wires, the black one goes to the cast iron and the red wire goes to a sacrificial piece of steel called an electrode. A plastic tub with washing powder to charge the water. The dc current flows through the cast iron toward the electrode and pushes everything off of the cast iron without harming it.
wow!
If you put baking soda in the oven it will turn in to washing soda. Ever seen a powder boil? It's pretty cool.
For burned on crud, dump about 1/4 cup salt in, cut a potato in half and use that to rub the salt around...
Where is the link to the manual battery charger?
How often does the liquid need to be changed out? Is it one tub per restoration? Thanks!
i did several and did not change out the solution. you will hit a point where it doesn't work as well, and you can drain it out. thx!
You could have put the trays on shorter sides of the container lengthwise and will have plenty of margin between cast iron kettle and trays.
If you use an 18 gal tub and switch to a 36 gal tub to do two pieces do you have to double the amperage?
I don’t think so, it might take a little longer though. Be sure to:buy a manual charger.
How are you disposing of the liquid solution after cleaning?
it is safe for septic.
How is the water disposed?
My attempt at electrolysis rust removal has been a total fail. Your video gave me a big clue why -- I bought that same Harbor Freight charger in your video not knowing the difference between manual or not manual.
Nothing happens in the tank, at all.
The AMAZON link for the Schumacher manual charger is permanently out-of-stock, by the way.
Would tin cans work?
Thanks for the video. I have a question about cast irons, maybe aomeone has experienced the same thing.
I was given a cast iron dutch oven with a lid. The cast iron is very old and i dont want to give up on it just yet.
The problem i have goes as follows : when i first got the cast iron, i immersed it in 50/50 vinigar and water. For about 2-3 days. When i pulled it out the metal seemed mushy, but still firmed, after i cleaned it then try to season.
How the cast iron leaves a black residue when ever oil is applied. If i clean it and leave it dry no residue, but only when oil is applied. I seasoned the cast iron several times, but it leaves a residue everytime even before cooking in it and just cleaning it with a tower it leaves a black stain in the paper towel. Any suggestions, would be highly appreciated.
@@pabloponce947 sounds like its not fully clean and grease mixed with carbon is making it to the surface. You could use 1 lb lye(sodium hydroxide) per 5 gallons of water solution to soak the cast iron in. It won't help with rust but it will prevent rust while soaking because of the high ph of the solution. Lye will dissolve the grease content of the pan which I'm 95% is the black residue you're getting on towels mixed with carbon. It's not harmful to the cast iron but it will de-season the pan/oven by destroying the grease. Even when the water/lye solution looks dirty it will still be effective for a while if you want to use it for multiple pans/items.
The vinegar/water wouldn't do much to clean the old carbon/grease. Thats better for rust. You can get lye from hardware stores and soap making stores/online. You want to use 100% lye and water on the pans and not get mixtures for other purposes that can soak into your pans leaving a toxic residue.
I found that 1/2 cup per every 5 gallons is the perfect mixture with a 1/4 cup of borax. I use a continueous connectivity electric fencer and it cuts the bath time in half. I also have a 20 gallon black plastic barrel.
Wow. Had not thought of electric fence controller thx!
@@gardenfork make sure it's a continuous current, not intermittent. It will say it on the fencer.
So despite what lots say, you can actually use a "smart" charger for your electrolysis tank. I will simply hook up jumper cables from my car battery to the electrolysis circuit and BOOM, your smart charger now senses a battery and will work!!!
Aluminium works better as anode. Electrolyte them stays crystal clean. I normally use car exhaust heat shields as anode. Source them from car repair garages.
im so glad i got rid off my cast iron pot, never again it is heavy plus i got heavy metal poisoning so i avoid metal ;o) but use to do a sit ups with the pot instead of kettlebell .
Cast Iron is not toxic and may be good for you and is not a Heavy Metal. Arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and selenium are some of the metals called 'heavy' .
for adult men (even fully grown young men) and menopausal women, cast iron can definitely pose a problem as the iron that naturally gets into food from utilization of this type of cookware can result in iron rising to toxic levels which is associated with a host of serious health conditions. Iron is one of the few minerals we cannot eliminate except through blood loss, therefore supplements should never contain iron and cooking with cast iron is a questionable choice for this segment of the population.If you’ve been cooking with cast iron for a long time and are an adult male or menopausal female, it might be wise to donate blood on occasion to reduce iron stores and switch to another type of nontoxic cookware such as enamel.
goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/does-cooking-cast-iron-pots-and-pans-add-iron-our-food
whatscookingamerica.net/Information/IronCastIron.htm
Is this method only to be used for removing rust or can it be used also to remove old seasoning?
It will also remove seasoning Mel, thx!