Cast Iron Word of caution

[Slayer]

If you search for and buy old cast like I do please keep in mind that many a lead toy and bullet were made from lead that was melted in an old cast iron pot or pan. I always check my new finds with a test kit and so should you.

[WarPony]

I've thought about that before. My Mom found a small cast iron pot at a garage sale and gave it to me. It's small and I wondered if somebody had used it to make fishing jigs or bullets. I don't think I have used it for anything but it's seasoned up, ready for something. Where do you buy test kits for lead?

[toypusher]

I don't use cast iron cookware these days, but I agree with having anything that is not new checked. When I was young, my father used a castiron pan to melt lead for sinkers and to use for repairing galvanized storage tanks. He used to get old weights used for balancing tires from his nephew that ran a garage and melted them down for the sinkers and sometimes for repairs.

Testing for lead sounds like a 'MUST DO' when dealing with used cast iron cookware!

[asianflava]

I wonder if those lead test kits for paint would work in this application. I don't know if it would pick up the trace amounts left in an iron pan though.

http://www.healthgoods.com/Shopping/Home_Test_Kits/Lead_Check_Swabs_Paint_Test_Kit.asp

[Slayer]

I use the kits that are used to test for lead paint. I'm no expert on this, But I've been told that they will show any level of lead contamination.

Rodney