Japanning/Japanned?

[Robert Hynes]

Not really sure what japanning is, seems to be different information online. Can anyone give a good rundown?

I assume this dutch oven is japanned? It's coated with something and it's not enameled.

Is this safe to use? The inside is coated. I know the waffle bases are japanned, but won't come in contact with food.

[Robert Hynes]

Seems to be coated inside and out. Had it in the lye bath for the last 48 hours, didn't seem to affect it at all.

[Russell Ware]

A lye bath will remove japan finish. Might take longer to remove all, but even after a day in lye, you would see something coming off.

[Robert Hynes]

I haven't seen any sign of this coating coming off.... Can it be something else? I don't think it's the color of the iron?

[Cheryl Watson]

I can not see the coating that you are referencing...

Maybe pictures, taken out doors will make it more visible.

There is no telling what has been done to pieces over the many years they have existed....

Japanning is BLACK, looks like gloss black enamel... and can be a challenge to remove.

I don't see japanning on this piece....

[Robert Hynes]

Ok, didn't realize japanning was dark. This DO is coated with something, almost a gold color and i'm not sure what it is. going to put it away til I can give it time in the lye bath.

[C. Perry Rapier]

Did someone maybe clean it with a brass brush or does it vegetable oil on it. Don't ever coat a piece with vegetable oil to store it or display it.

[Tom Neitzel]

After a career in IT, I've learned to always ask the obvious.  Not meant to be offensive, just making sure to cover all the bases.

As others have said, I don't see any coating in the pictures.  What it looks like to me is flash rust you get after rinsing clean iron.  A very light coating that happens as it drys and about impossible to prevent.  It just disappears if you rub a little oil on it and doesn't hurt anything.

[Valerie Johnson]

Japanning used on the old sewing machines is black but Japanning is also used as an insulator on things like wire coils in transformers and can range in color from reds to greens to ambers/yellows and blues, It can be a solid color or it can have a translucent effect depending on how much pigment has been used in the lacquer used for Japanning, Lacquer is basically shellac dissolved in alcohol which is then used as a coating and allowed to harden.

Some cookware in the 1700's had a lacquer/japanned finish but it is doubtful that any cookware made within the last 150 years has a japanned finish.

[Robert Hynes]

There's a goldish sheen on the pot, it's not rust, the lid is shiny. It can't be rubbed out. Either way, i'm going to put it away for a while, toss it back in the lye when everything else is clean.

[Jim Fuchs]

  Like Perry said, looks like it was brushed with a brass brush. As pointed out, japanning was available in several colors. Black was the norm for cookware. It is basically turpentine, Asphaltum, and boiled linseed oil. Collectors of old tools use it often. There are several "recipes" out on the internet. You mix it, let it set several days, mixing on occasion (your trying to dissolve as much asphaltum as possible), paint it on and bake it. There is a "cold" japanning available called "pontypool". It's $ 62 a quart, and takes 30 days to harden.
               Unfortunately, if the color is from brass brushing, it's about impossible to remove. 

[Robert Hynes]

It is basically turpentine, Asphaltum, and boiled linseed oil.

Yikes.

Unfortunately, if the color is from brass brushing, it's about impossible to remove. 

Anything is possible. This pot was badly crusted up when I got it, maybe someone did use a brash brush in years gone by. It's thin walled, looks like a nice pot for baking breads but I don't want to chance it at this point.

Is there a way to test for brass?

[Jim Fuchs]

Is there a way to test for brass?

               I don't know how one would test for brass. Have seen several iron pieces ruined from brass brushing (as far as collector value). Good luck on it. :)