Bought a waffle iron on Ebay

[davefullmer]

Hello everyone,

Now y'll have gone and done it. I got to reading about all those tasty waffles and the obsession for cast iron stuff. So I went to Ebay and saw all the stuff I could bid on and noticed that the waffle irons were going for $30 and up.

So I threw in a max bid on one for $21 something thinking that someone else would win it probably.

Lo and behold, I bought it for $11.50. Now I wonder what I missed. I could see it was rusty but the claim was no defects and the wood handles are clearly there. But no one wanted it worse than $11.50? Is a Wagner-Sidney not desireable?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0196393917

Now I have to go back to Eunice's post about her find and check out the Electrolous proceedure. Darn and I have only started welding my frame for my Tear and already you guys are turning me into a crazy.

Is this what the future holds for me?

Dave

[Kevin A]

Dave,

Ya done good, nothing wrong at all with that Wagner. Looks like a nice waffle iron. Be sure and post pics of your first waffles...

[davefullmer]

Ha, first I have to clean the rust off and reseason it. My wife is going to kill me, but I am used to that after 49 years.

Then I am going to have to learn to cook waffles.

We have a family campout reunion in Michigan every year that my son has organized. Until this year we have taken my motorhome but no more will I drive that thing 600 miles for a weekend campout. 32 feet and a 454 engine just doesn't cut it with gas prices as they are. This year we took a 2 person tent and although 30 years ago, that was how we camped, today we are too old to sleep on the ground. So, I have decided to build a Cabin Car.

And now you people have got me looking at all my mother's CI skillets up in my garage upstairs.

My son has a very large CI Pot that he boils water using a tripod over a wood fire. This thing is about 15 or 18 inches in dia and it works out well for him. Next year, I want to take that waffle iron and cook breakfast for them one morning. That will send everyone into shock and cardiac arrest because Dad learned to stay out of the kitchen early in our marriage because I didin't do things the way my wife did.

Of course, I am going to have to shock my wife sooner also, because I definitely will need some practice.

Dave

[Eunice]

You will have a great time. it looks like a nice waffle iron. There are several links to electrolysis. Just Google it and you will have more info than you can use. it really is easy. You just need the WASHING SODA. I tried baking the baking soda but that doesnt work very well. The sodium carbonate from the spa/pool supply is great but pricey. Hopefully you can find Arm and Hammer Washing Soda where you live. Be sure to take lots of pics.

[BlackIronCook]

I also recently purchased a Camp Fire Waffle Iron. I love it! Just get you some baking mix and throw enough water in it to make a batter like you would for pancakes. Besure to oil your iron and preheat it before you put the batter in it. I like to spray it right before I put batter in it too.

Randy

[Joanne]

I really enjoy cooking waffles in my waffle iron. I still get a kick out of cooking waffles while up camping. No electricity and wonderful, crips waffles. Ha!!!

Matt, the waffle iron has a loving home.

Joanne

[dmb90260]

For a simple "never cooked recipe" get the Krustease (?) mix for pancakes at Costco. Add water and a little oil and stir. I think you should be able to handle that and the waffles are good. Get a can of spray stuff.. olive oil, Pam whatever. Spray before you cook and after you cook. You will be impressive.

[doug hodder]

Dave...clean it up, season it and practice some. I had some guests this last weekend, did up a batch of waffles and really impressed my buddies wife. She's a wheel with extension homemakers, and was blown away that I was doing it on cast iron...You'll be ready for a morning waffle feed in no time... Doug

[eamarquardt]

I'd say you did excellent on your waffle iron. Has anyone considered bead or walnutshell blasting cast iron. Walnut shell would leave a really nice finish ready for seasoning. In addition, I have coated stuff with
zylan (a coating like teflon) with good results. Just need a spray gun and a hot electric oven to cure it.

I have two vw windows (they weigh 5# each) for you if you're interested. Can probably get two more of the same for free or very little.

Cheers,

Gus

[BlackIronCook]

There is a guy called the Pan Man. He is deemed "The Expert" where Cast Iron Cookware is concerned. The Pan Man advises against blasting of any kind last time he weighed in on the subject. I had a small DO I let get rusted up and I soaked it in a 50/50 solution of White Vinegar and Water. After several days of soaking I washed it in clear water and a stiff brush. I would even recommend one of those Stainless Tooth Brushes. Have the Pam real close. You want to dry it on a warm fire and spray it as soon as it is dry. This process cleans the metal so clean it will literally Rust before your eyes. Then season it as you would any cast iron pot in a 400 degree oven. Don't forget to remove the Wooden Handles.

Randy

PS. I just purchsed my own #8 Griswold Waffle iron from ebay tonight. Didn't get as good a deal as you did. I had to pay $34.95 for mine.

[davefullmer]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am really looking forward to getting better acquainted with everyone. There is so much help here.

Gus, I am sending you a PM about those VW windows.

Randy, Is the Pan Man someone on this forum, or someplace else?

Dave

[HossHoffer]

Blasting is a great way to clean your cast iron. I think that the issue with it is how "virgin" it leaves the surface. Once you blast it clean be ready to season it plenty before you use it. I have cleaned my iron different ways and save the blasting for those with real tough, burnt on, flaking stuff. I usually wash it it nice hot, soapy water to get the dust off it after blasting and rub it with oil and put it right in the oven to bake. My experience has been that it will take three or four good seasonings after blasting to get the seasoning back. Oh and I have blasted with glass beads and plastic media. They both work well but I wonder if the plastic media leaves anything behind imbedded in the iron?

Hoss

[davefullmer]

Well, the waffle iron arrived. It was pretty much as described and pictured.

It looks like someone painted the outside with black high temp paint. The rusty spot at the center looks like where the paint fell off the iron. Inside, I don't think the black is paint, it probably is charred oil.

The handles are only about 3 1/4 inch long and I was able to unscrew them by putting the handle in a vice. The internal screws that the wood screws on seem solid, but one handle is nothing but charred wood under the ferrel.

I have a ShopSmith and I think I can turn some new handles. What should I use, Maple, Beech, or Hickory. I can get Beech or Hickory right out of my woods. Also, should I consider making some longer handles?

What is the best way to remove the high temp paint?

I will try to take some pictures tomorrow and post them.

Dave

[halfdome, Danny]

I wouldn't use hardwoods from your woods as they won't fit once the wood dries out. I turned several handles from Eastern Maple & they should hold up for a long time, as long as they don't get in the fire. Danny

[Kevin A]

I wouldn't use hardwoods from your woods as they won't fit once the wood dries out. I turned several handles from Eastern Maple & they should hold up for a long time, as long as they don't get in the fire. Danny

Danny,
I want to thank you for the great job you did on the waffle iron handles, they look just like the originals.

Here's some pics of one of the irons they are going in.