Author Topic: What do to with this teapot?  (Read 1748 times)

Offline Spurgeon Hendrick

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What do to with this teapot?
« on: August 12, 2017, 03:34:44 PM »
I picked up this teapot at an estate sale the other day. My plan of attack on the other teapot I have (that turned out to be cracked) was: a few days in the lye bucket, an overnight soak in EvapoRust, and then I seasoned it.

However, that one didn't have the wood handle on it. So, what do I do with this one? What will the lye do to the wood?

Also, the  Lodge catalog from the 30's says this one was painted black. Should I paint it instead of seasoning it? If so, what type of paint? A heat resistant high gloss?

Offline Russell Ware

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Re: What do to with this teapot?
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2017, 10:28:39 PM »
The handle should have some flex to it. Just rotate it and flex it inwards. See which end is easiest to remove that way. I had no problem removing a handle like that on a similar teapot. To clean it effectively, you really do need to separate the body from the lid and handle. The body and lid can then go through lye and electro. The handle can be cleaned with steel wool and polish. It reassembles just as easily.

Offline Spurgeon Hendrick

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Re: What do to with this teapot?
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2017, 10:45:15 AM »
Thanks, Russell. I'll try that.

Any thoughts on painting versus seasoning?

Offline Russell Ware

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Re: What do to with this teapot?
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2017, 01:22:44 PM »
Are you going to use it, or is it for decoration? I wouldn’t put any kind of paint on something I would use. Teapots are tricky if they are cast iron and you use ‘em. If you season the inside, use will take the seasoning off. Unless you live in an area with very hard water, it will rust, eventually. Building up a layer of calcium carbonate from hard water would help protect the iron, but have fun trying to clean that off later.
I’d say find an aluminum teapot if you are going to be boiling water in it.
Below is a #4 teapot I cleaned then seasoned with Crisco. It is nice and black and makes a good display. Can’t do anything else with it; because, next to the gate mark on the bottom, I found a toothpick sized hole after cleaning it. I guess I cleaned it too well.

« Last Edit: August 14, 2017, 01:23:53 PM by abc123 »

Offline Spurgeon Hendrick

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Re: What do to with this teapot?
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2017, 09:24:35 PM »
I can't imagine ever using one to make tea, or whatever, but I thought it might be cool to boil some potpourri in it during the holidays. Maybe throw a couple of cinnamon sticks in there?