Removing rust before seasoning/crud?

[Colin Campbell]

I'm in a living situation where I can't set up a lye tank.  Maybe during dry months I could set up an electrolysis tank that could be easily dismantled.  In other words, I don't have access to a place out side of the home that's protected against the weather.  So my clean up process is sort of limited to the Easy Off HD plastic bag method, and a small tub of vinegar/water for rust.  I've always done EO HD first, then vinegar/water.

My question:  I have a piece, a Griswold 10 griddle that is coated with rust.  Okay, it's orange.  Would it be feasible to do rust removal first before spraying on the Easy Off?

[Cheryl Watson]

One technique that may help is to coat the piece with liquid Crisco oil and set it aside to let the oil soak in, then wipe it dry before spraying with Easy Off (make certain you are using Yellow Cap Easy off). 

Stripping old seasoning must always be Step 1.  It is the only way to expose any and all oxidation.

Then De- Rust.

Regarding lye.... at the beginning I was scared to death of the stuff!

However, that is no longer the case. )But R-E-S-P-E-C-T is still warranted.
 
Due to the mild winter here, I did not drain my Lye Baths this year (I have 3 currently). The emergency drain hoses are still laying out in the yard if needed.  :)
Today, I tromped out to the Garage (37° today), and grabbed a large plastic coffee container, donned gloves, and 'dip' filled the container.

It is now sitting on my kitchen table with lid firmly snapped on, and is soaking away the gunk on my Newest Itty Bitty Treasure!   8-) 8-)

My Lye Baths are all mixed TRIPLE STRENGTH.

My bestie Cast Iron buddy has a 20+ gallon tub of Lye in his kitchen always. ;) ;)

[Colin Campbell]

Thanks for the info.  I kinda thought seasoning/crud had to come off first, but with a piece that's coated with rust, I didn't know how people handled that.  Liquid Crisco vegetable oil?

I'm in an apartment, upstairs no less!  So my balcony is my work/scrubbing area.  In my second bathroom tub I have a plastic bin with my water/vinegar bath in it.  My balcony is always exposed to the elements, so I'd worry about a lye bath getting diluted from rain or other stuff getting in to it, and then no easy way to empty the old solution.  I'd love to have a larger set up as things are starting to pile up.   ;D

[Russell Ware]

The first step in any restoration should be to wash the piece with plain water and scrub the piece down with some stainless steel wool. That will get any dirt AND quite a bit of the surface rust off. Once you see what you are left with, you can hit it with the oven cleaner.
Keep in mind that oven cleaner might only get you so far in removing the old layer of seasoning.

[Cheryl Watson]

Colin, I use the BRUTE Containers (Rubbermaid).... WITH LIDS FIRMLY SNAPPED ON AT ALL TIMES! for my Lye Baths. (and for one of my  Electros).

They come in a Variety of Sizes, and the lids stay put, even in High Wind Conditions outdoors. (Note: any Lye bath should always, always, ALWAYS have a securely attached cover, and when working around/with it, Chem Gloves and full safety gear used..... I use a full face shield. )


I use a submersible pump to empty my electros and lye baths when necessary.
A thermoplastic utility pump is best for this task, IMO.  :)

[Colin Campbell]

That sounds like quite the impressive set up!  As long as the lid is rain proof, I could set something up like that on a scale to handle single skillets.  Since I'm in an apartment and that would need to be out on the balcony, I would have to do a one man bucket brigade to change out the bath as the solution weakened over time.  When I work on one, I use the heavy duty fabric reinforced rubber gloves, wear a painter's face mask and protective eyewear, and a grilling apron.  Ugly Carhartt stuff as work clothing.