Author Topic: Taiwan/Chinese cast iron? (Read 6758 times)

Brad Chalmers · « **on:** February 28, 2010, 10:07:42 PM »

I believe we have a couple of pieces that are from overseas. I've heard here and there that they may not be safe to eat from... I'm just curious as to what you guys think.

Sam Roberts · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2010, 12:05:19 AM »

I can only give you my opinion but I think others here will agree. I frown on the Chineese stuff because can you really tell what piece of scrap it was made from, if so, what testing was done on the material before it was cast. What kind of impurities might still be present in the metal. China doesn't have the best record, take children's toys for example, how often do you hear of them having lead content? So why should their CI be any different?

Randy Hesseltine · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2010, 01:05:34 AM »

Hi Brad, I think Sam is correct. Besides they toys remember their candy not too long ago. In the long run, there is nothing like fixing a good meal cooked in old cast iron that has been in use for 50-100+ years!! If we could just get that old C.I. to talk, we could hear some really good stories and they still work just fine & have a lot of history to boot.

Duke Gilleland · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2010, 03:34:53 AM »

The stuff scares me :o

Jesse and Kim Dunfee · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2010, 08:10:19 AM »

Agree wit all above. I wouldn't want to cook in a skillet made from a 350 chevy engine and you can pick up a nice Griswold or Wagner OR any american piece for not much money. To me its worth it.

C. B. Williams · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2010, 08:37:26 AM »

I don't know they just don't make boat anchors and call them anchors.

Judith Holiday · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2010, 01:33:16 PM »

Do you think that Wags-Gris guy who sells Wagner CI from China has a clue about the alloys in his pots? I doubt the alloys are consistent anyway. How about Emeril, Paula, Rachel, and even Martha, who peddle Chinese CI with their names on it. What do they really know about this stuff?

Jesse and Kim Dunfee · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2010, 04:48:20 PM »

I watched a show on Discover Channel. There was barges of scrap that we sent China because we wouldn't use it. They Made Paula Dean Skillets out of it an sold it back to us.... ;D They closed down the foundries for the olympics because you couldn't see. Whats that tell you Brad?

Jeff Seago · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2010, 04:59:11 PM »

Just say no to Asian iron :D :D

Duke Gilleland · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2010, 07:04:10 PM »

Trot Line Weights! >:( ;D

John Knapp · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2010, 07:11:18 PM »

I wouldn't use it, too much bad stuff in the iron. We were at Lodge Mfg. Co. a few years back and they really gave the overseas stuff a bad report.

Jeff Seago · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2010, 08:01:25 PM »

John did they actually show you scientific data?? Just curious because you should never trust a salesman!!

Chris Stairs · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2010, 08:13:05 PM »

Quote

John did they actually show you scientific data?? Just curious because you should never trust a salesman!!

Jeff,
  I was not there, but I have seen the video of the 2005 WAGS tour. The tour visited the Quality control testing room, where samples of the raw iron and steel are tested for impurities and for traces of radiation.
  This video of the tour was taken and posted by Will Person, and is available for all members on the "Members only" section of this forum.

  A few years ago, this testing of a batch of scrap steel found traces of radiation in a shipment of scrap steel from the Lazy-boy factory. Lazy boy immediately recalled all of the affected products that had been made with the tainted steel.

Two words: Buy American.

Chris

John Knapp · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2010, 08:30:11 PM »

Lodge checks all iron for radiation also and rejects any with any trace.

Chris Stairs · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2010, 08:40:23 PM »

  Radiation in recycled metals is a serious problem that most people are not even aware of.
  Lodge is aware of it, and tests all raw materials.

  Check out this link:
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/43577

Jeff Seago · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2010, 08:50:43 PM »

Ummmm anybody know where I can get a good Geiger counter for a reasonable price [smiley=eek2.gif]

Brad Chalmers · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2010, 09:19:39 PM »

Thanks for the information...

I just received a deep fryer from my mother in law... it's coated in grease, but I did a little scratching around and found "TAIWAN" on it. I think I'll let her have it back. ;)

I've been using a double burner griddle for about a year now that has no markings or numbers. I posted some pictures of it awhile back, but just found what I believe is a Wagner today to replace it... will start a new thread with pictures of it.

Greg Stahl · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2010, 08:02:17 AM »

Quote

Ummmm anybody know where I can get a good Geiger counter for a reasonable price [smiley=eek2.gif]

Geiger won't pick up tritium, which is more likely to contaminate cast iron than anything else. And with a half life of 10,000 years, well I'm not using any CI from the far east.

Charles_A._Burger · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2010, 04:15:58 PM »

How can you detect tritium?

megafatcat · « **Reply #19 on:** March 03, 2010, 08:55:34 PM »

Look for the 'Made in USA'

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Author Topic: Taiwan/Chinese cast iron? (Read 6758 times)

Charles_A._Burger

megafatcat