Wagner Dutch Oven

[58limited]

I just restored an old Wagner Dutch oven for my boss. It was his mother's, he is 80 and remembers her using it when he was a kid. It really wasn't in too bad of shape but it had heavy build up on the outside, even the bail was covered in baked on crud. Inside there was light rust on the walls but the bottom looked good.


I placed it in the electrolysis vat which cleaned everything except the inside bottom - the seasoning was really thick but was damaged by the electrolysis. I put it in my oven and cranked it all the way up - about 650 degrees - and that did the trick.


For seasoning I used spray on canola oil, three coats plus an extra coat on the inside.

Lots of corrosion on the bottom, "Sidney" is almost unreadable. This is a No. 8 Dutch oven, catalog number 1268.



This turned out really good, completely nonstick. I cooked bacon, no stuck on bits like I often get in my skillets. Then I cooked frozen Potatoes O'Brien - none stuck to the bottom. Finally I cooked some scrambled eggs - the ultimate test. They did not stick at all.



I gave it back to my boss and he is really happy with it.

[FireMan]

Mighty fine, mighty fine! A true Dutch oven.

[texastweeter]

Good job

[Andrrr]

Nice work! I’ve been tempted to get into the old iron game.

[Andrrr]

I think the first thing I need to do is learn which are worth saving and what the going rate is so I don’t get swindled. I’ve seen them in passing but never knew what to look for Oak Smoke

[Oak Smoke]

Andrrr There is a web site, The Cast Iron Collector, that is a great place to start your knowledge base. There is a lot of very good information there.

[Spinaker]

Do not pay a premium for pieces that have been restored. It is much easier to do than you think. And try to buy pans in stacks or at least multiple pans at a time fro the same seller. You can really get a good deal that way. Estate sales, moving sales or even thrift stores are great spots to check. I stay away from Ebay and Cast Iron collecting sites. You will pay a premium. Andrrr

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Pretty cool....nice job

[CaptainMike]

Great job, David!

[Mosca]

That is beautiful. Old cast iron is so comforting, just by existing.

[bmillin]

Great job. Did you try suspending the Anode inside the Dutch Oven? Seems like my efforts work best when there is a direct path from the rusty bits to the anode.

[Spinaker]

Nice work!

One way to avoid missing the inside in the bath is to hang the dutch oven sideways. I like to hook the wire through the tab where the wire handle hooks in. This avoids the shadow on the inside of the Dutch Oven. (I touch on this here)

Glad you got it worked out though. That Dutch oven looks awesome.

[Spinaker]

I do not. But if you want to post it. I can take a look at it. Is it cast iron that has a pewter coating? If so, that would be a new one on me. yakima

[yakima]

Thanks Spinaker. It is an oil lamp, not an eating utensil. I may start another thread, with a pic. It may be a courting lamp. The young man has to leave when the oil runs out.

[Spinaker]

Yeah, I would love to see it. yakima