Waffle Iron, how to clean?

[cuyeda]

Thanks Mark, and Matt,

The waffle has been processed and seasoned! Ready for the next SLO waffle show down!

I didn't do 24 hours, because the water turned fairly black, as did the waffle iron. I am not sure if there is such a thing as overdoing it, so I quit when I thought all the rust was off.

[bobhenry]

Sorry for the slow come back. After the 24 hours of electrolysis use a small soft bristled wire brush and hot soapy water for a good scrub rinse and dry in the oven quickly to keep it from flashing ready for seasoning!

Mark

I am an idiot I thought soap was a no no on cast iron. I am new to cast iron I was a teflon kid. I have reserected 3 very rusty and abused skillets with boiling water and wearing out a dozen scotchbrite pads. I can finally cook eggs in them. To clean I simply boil water after use dump and rinse return them to the fire for a minute or two to dry and recoat usually with spray vegatable oil.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Yours look newer than mine since mine has the patent info scribed in by hand. (1892)

I'll need to do electrolosis on this unless there is a better method to get the "crust" off.
Any Ideas?

[Mark72]

I am an idiot I thought soap was a no no on cast iron.

B H the soap is a big no no for a seasoned piece that is in use unless you are taking it back down to bare cast for a reseason. The hot soapy water I was referring to is a necessity for a piece that has gone through electrolisis. I wouldn't want to eat off of a skillet that may still have some metallic particles mixed in with the seasoning.

Kurt, that is a perfect candidate for this process even if it doesnt have any rust. It will look like a Brand new Iron!

Mark

[Kurt (Indiana)]

I am an idiot I thought soap was a no no on cast iron.

B H the soap is a big no no for a seasoned piece that is in use unless you are taking it back down to bare cast for a reseason. The hot soapy water I was referring to is a necessity for a piece that has gone through electrolisis. I wouldn't want to eat off of a skillet that may still have some metallic particles mixed in with the seasoning.

Kurt, that is a perfect candidate for this process even if it doesnt have any rust. It will look like a Brand new Iron!

Mark

Mark, I've never tried this before; can you detail the procedure?

[Mark72]

Kurt, Here is the link to the process that brick posted for me. I've posted it a couple of other times but you can't wear out a good thing.

http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp

Notice that it is primarily used for rust removal. As soon as you start the battery charger you will start seeing a fizzing action around your iron. This will soften anything to the point that it wipe right off if it isn't already gone afterwards. I had no idea that my iron had a heavy coat of black paint hidden under the seasoning until I pulled it out of the solution! The fact that this process removes rust negates all worries that rust might form on the iron as might be the case if you were just soaking it in soapy water. The best thing is that the washing soda is a all natural product that will not harm the environment and there is no harmful materials to get rid of afterwards. Just water the grass with whats left!

Mark

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Thanks Mark, I'll take some pics before and after.

[cuyeda]

Dean posted this one in the "Cast Iron" section, sticky on top links to the IDOS.org web page:

http://www.idos.org/Chapters/tabid/270/Default.aspx#

This is from the Wagner web page:

http://www.wag-society.org/Electrolysis/electros.php

Have fun!

[jasoncpg]

thanks for the great links cuyeda. i am going to make one today. this will be good for more then just cast.


well just like it sed. ez and fast work's great !!!!

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Electrolysis in process.

I always cringe a bit when hooking up an electrical charge to a water solution but so far, so good.

I'm running the charger on 55 amps so depending on how long this takes, I might be looking for a new one.

We'll see.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Update on electrolysis process.

Great news. I now have clean Cast Iron.

See the before and after pics.

Before

After

I need to work on the base a little more but the waffle iron is really cleaned up. I need to re-season and I'm ready for Christmas waffles.
Thanks to all who helped with information on the electrolysis.

[Mark72]

Wow Kurt that thing cleaned up real nice! looks like your base suffers the same affliction as mine. Black paint! I found that cooking spray works really well for reseasoning. Helps get a nice even light coat on the piece especially in the waffling!

Mark

[davefullmer]

Mark,

Will the electrolysis take off the black paint?

My Wagner was painted on the outside of the iron as well as the base.

Dave

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Wow Kurt that thing cleaned up real nice! looks like your base suffers the same affliction as mine. Black paint! I found that cooking spray works really well for reseasoning. Helps get a nice even light coat on the piece especially in the waffling!

Mark

Mark , the cooking spray is what I've used also. PAM with Olive Oil seems to a good choice.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Mark,

Will the electrolysis take off the black paint?

My Wagner was painted on the outside of the iron as well as the base.

Dave

Dave, I think I'll just try paint stripper or oven cleaner on the base. I did try the electrolysis (for 2 days) but it didn't clean up and well as the other cast iron.
I'll let you know.