Cracked Wagner

[Catherine+twins]

Okay, recently I won a bid on shopgoodwill.com and got three skillets, two Wagners and a vintage no-name. The square Wagner is a bit rough, but still good for bacon. I'll try some cornbread in it soon. The no-name has just a trace of rough near the center that pulled a bit off the crust of the first frittata I cooked in it, but the second came out nicely. (We like to plate the frittata rather than scoop it out of the pan.) The second Wagner is an older one, straight sides and the ring right at the edge. I also cooked a frittata in that one, and it came out perfectly. However, when I was washing it, I noticed a line of oil on the bottom of the pan (outside bottom). Closer inspection showed a hairline crack fully across the bottom.

Anyway, is there any reason I should NOT use the pan for pancakes and frittatas and similar stuff? I didn't have eggs running through the crack, just a bit of olive oil. And other than that, it cooked beautifully.

Just to be clear, I don't feel cheated. I felt like I got three skillets for the price of one on that auction, and if I can still cook in it, well that's fine!

Thanks for your help on this.

Catherine

[bobhenry]

My ancient 3 legged spider skillet has a crack in the side. Like you I was disappointed when I found it but that was 4 years ago. In 4 years of camping it has made numerous meals and it has gotten on worse for the wear. I use it often and it goes on every Tearjerker gathering. It is my favorite for baking cakes and such.

[Catherine+twins]

Thank you, Bobhenry, that was the way I was leaning. I couldn't think of anything in CI that could hurt me if I kept using it. Right now it is hanging on the wall behind my stove, but it will go back in the rotation. It's really a good size for feeding my growing teens!

Catherine

[Talia62]

Cast iron can be welded by a skilled welder. I have a vintage cast iron woodburning stove that had two feet broken off, and I got them welded back on for a surprisingly reasonable price. Been going strong on those welded feet for fifteen years now.

[felixx]

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/support/welding-how-to/Pages/welding-cast-iron-detail.aspx

Nothing ventured...
nothing gained

[Shadow Catcher]

Yest cast iron can be welded. I once did an inspection on the main CI gear on a swing railroad bridge over the Colombia that was hit by a barge and broke a number of teeth off, about three feet thick and they welded new teeth on.

[dales133]

Not that im any kind of exper but many years ago the place next to where i worked welded cast .
It needs to be heated up reasonably hot from what saw and welded while its hot to form a decent weld.
I believe its notoriously difficult to weld and as previously said takes some skill

[Catherine+twins]

If I still lived in Colorado, I think I know of welders who work with CI in my old home town. I don't know anyone where I am now, so I think I'll just use the pan in its current condition. As I said, it's smooth and slick as is, and I don't want to risk ruining it.

Catherine

[jonw]

I bought a used Wagner round skillet that was not packed well and a chip broke off the side of it during shipping.

I paid a local welder to repair it - he brazed it and you can't even tell it was chipped unless you look at the back of it. I think it cost me $20...

[Catherine+twins]

Wow, not bad at all. Okay, I'll ask my uncle if he knows anyone. He's one of those people who knows people who know people. He also has a vintage tractor that sometimes needs repairs....

Catherine

[felixx]

I welded some lumps of cast iron together to make trivets

I heated them up then placed them together and hit them with my stick welder

They are holding together well