Cleaning Old Cast Iron, the Power of the Lye Bath So how do we clean up that gunky old cast iron flea market find? One method involves lye (sodium hydroxide) or Yellow-Cap Easy-Off oven cleaner.

Cleaning cast iron with lye involves a portion of this process. Like aerosol oven cleaner, a lye bath uses a sodium hydroxide a/k/a lye, to break down and dissolve hardened greasy build up from cast iron pots and pans.

Jan 28, 2019 · If you find yourself stepping away from restoring a cast iron and no longer wanting to deal with a lye bath, you can toss the lye down the drain. This is the same active ingredient they use to unclog sludge buildup in sinks.

Apr 6, 2024 · Are you looking to spruce up your old cast iron cookware? Are you tired of the uneven black surface rust and want to restore it to its original luster? Lye baths are a quick, easy, and cost-effective way to clean and revitalize cast iron.

Oct 29, 2024 · A lye bath is a safe and effective way to restore your cast iron skillet to its former glory. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can strip away old seasoning, rust, and grime, leaving your skillet ready for a new lease on life.

The lye wash can be used for more than one "batch" of cleaning. In fact, the water will turn REALLY black and I've never changed my water, just add more lye once it "stops working". The following instructions must be used with caution and at your own risk.

Lye Bath. Like oven cleaner spray, lye works great at removing crud from cast iron without harming it. Setting up a lye bath involves mixing a solution of lye and water of an appropriate strength in a suitable container capable of submerging one or …

Lye, or sodium hydroxide, is a highly alkaline substance derived from wood ashes that has been used for centuries in soapmaking. When used to clean cast iron, it breaks down and dissolves hardened grease build-up. Compared to spray oven cleaners, a lye bath is more cost-effective as it can be reused and can clean multiple pans simultaneously.

Sep 27, 2019 · Many people get nervous when thinking about creating a lye bath for cleaning cast iron. There really isn’t anything to it, just have to take a few precautions. Chemically, Lye or Sodium Hydroxide is a strong base that will attack organic materials like skin.

How to build a lye bath and electrolysis tank for stripping and restoring cast iron