Filling in pits with seasoning?

[Rob McCoy]

Hello all!

So I just went camping and found a Griswold small logo with handle buried into fallen tree on edge of a lake, looks like it's been there a while.

I'm still trying to remove rust and old seasoning that seemed to me fused as one.

The cooking surface has a lot of pitting and wondering what best way to maybe fill them in with seasoning or other options?

The purpose of the skillet is going to be a camping skillet, I figured if I find it camping might as well fix it up for camping.

Thanks in advance!

[Rob McCoy]

Here is image of cooking surface, looks a little worse in person though IMO.

[Jeff Friend]

Rob,

My recommendation is that you clean it the best you can with electrolysis.  That method will remove the rust and old seasoning.  Season the skillet a few times with Crisco or your choice of other fats, and then use it.  It won't look look pretty, but who cares.  Remember, new Lodge skillets aren't ground smooth on the cooking surface and they work just fine.  With time, your seasoning will get better and better, but I doubt it will ever fully conceal the pitting.

That is an interesting story, by the way.  Good luck getting it cleaned up and back in service.

Jeff

[Rob McCoy]

Thanks, what makes it more interesting is the history of the place. I found it at Moss Lake NY. This location was a camp for girls way back when for the rich and wealthy. When the state bought it Native Americans took it over for 3 years with shots being fired allegedly.

Now it is a place with 7 camp sites surrounding lake . Who knows when it was placed then there and just excited to get it into a serviceable condition.

I did take a wire wheel to it earlier....... I ended up hitting my other hand with it but got lucky with superficial wounds but I was really scared . Lesson is to wear gloves!

[Jim Glatthaar]

Rob, the real lesson is don't use a grinder on your cast iron.  I suppose if someone really knew what they were doing that might be one thing.  But I don't recommend it.

Given the pan's history, dedicating it to camping is the perfect use.