dixie fd'y #8 skillet with repaired handle

[Lewis Downey]

This skillet was a workhorse in my mother's kitchen. It has sentimental value and I would like to restore it. It started down that road a couple of years back using oven cleaner; after a few treatments I set it aside. I was concerned that putting it in an SCO would melt the brazed handle.

If it breaks it breaks, but does any problem come to mind putting it in lye or the electro? Should I be worried about the brass-colored brazing in the electro? Maybe this is a good candidate for alternative rust removal processes.

Thanks!

[Mark Zizzi]

Lewis, you could hang it in your electro so the brazing stays just above water. Don't see much rust from there on up.  ;)

[Susan Salsburg]

I'd have a good welder clean up that brazing, so it's smooth, & then touch up the line with high-temp paint. You'll never notice the repair if it's done right. I have a couple of repaired pieces - good luck finding the break if you don't know where to look. Just my 2cents.

[Mark Zizzi]

Yep, that's true. You could make that less conspicuous if you wanted to for sure.

[Lewis Downey]

Good ideas

[Jeff Friend]

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.  Zinc and caustic soda do not get along.  Both the Dow Chemical and PPG product guides for caustic soda indicate that it will react with brass.  I'd try electro and frequently check the brazed area to confirm that it is not being attacked.

[Lewis Downey]

Thanks Jeff. If the brass is attacked in the electro will anything happen to the electrolyte or the anode that might impact future pieces or will the damage be limited to the skillet being cleaned? Will anything go into solution that might end up being plated on future pieces?

[Lewis Downey]

Jeff, My electrolyte is currently a 1% to 1.25% solution of lye. The brass will be exposed to caustic soda in the electro too.

[James Wilson]

Jeff, My electrolyte is currently a 1% to 1.25% solution of lye. The brass will be exposed to caustic soda in the electro too.

As it has sentimental value to you Lewis, I would remove that brazing, pin the handle and have it brazed by someone who knows what they are doing with gas welding. As has been mentioned, that handle does not need to be immersed.

[Mark Zizzi]

That's right..just keep it above the soup and you won't need to worry about it. How old is that repair Lewis...just wondering.

[Lewis Downey]

Mark, Other than being a minimum of 10 to 20 years old, I have no idea how long the repair has been on the handle.

[Mark Zizzi]

Well then if it's lasted that long, I would just smooth it out and go with it. Careful with the seasoning process, hi heat can weaken brazing, but probably not at the temps needed for seasoning. But I think I would use two hands carrying it to and from the oven.

[Jeff Friend]

I'd try the electro and closely watch it.  Since the brass will be on the cathode, it may be fine.  Let us know what happens.