Cracked Cast Iron

[robin19]

Can you still use it if it is cracked? I just realized that my favorite pan has a crack by the handle down the side of the pan.It is very hard to see but it is there. I'm thinking my husband or son must have done something and not mentioned it.

I'd be afraid of a grease fire. Several years ago I was helping a group cook breakfast for a large group. We had a large cast iron pan 24 inches across with a handle on each side full of eggs we were scrambling. It made the sound of a shotgun going off and everyone ducked for cover. It had cracked across the bottom.

[tyusclan]

A good welder that knows what he's doing can weld it good as new for you. There's a process to welding cast iron. You can't just put a stick to it and weld it up, but it can be done.

[texican]

I used a 14" fry pan for over a year with a crack running down the side into the middle... more out of tightwaddedness, than anything else. I finally semi retired it, after I realized my tightwaddedness was a little silly, since I had a dozen other super nice cast iron fryin' pans.

They do sell welding rods for cast iron, but wouldn't use em on a frying pan. Have seen lots of the large washpots, with welds on em... doesn't affect their use, as would a weld on a fryer.

[Sand Flat Bob]

Originally Posted by tyusclan

A good welder that knows what he's doing can weld it good as new for you. There's a process to welding cast iron. You can't just put a stick to it and weld it up, but it can be done.

I certainly agree with this, but what a good welder would have to charge to do it and stay in business, you would probably spend less just buying a different one. My Uncles ran a machine shop for years, they welded cast iron, some times successfully and some times not. They always told the customer, no guarantees welding cast iron. There were metalizing methods which could be used, but very expensive.

Bob

[Sunraven]

Cast iron is hard to weld and there is no guarantee. You use nickel rod to weld cast iron. Frying pans aren't that expensive, I would just get a new one.

[tallpines]

I had a "Le Creuset" cast iron dutch oven that cracked on me after 26 years of use.
The company replaced it---free of all charges.


Perhaps the maker of your pan might do the same.

[BaronsMom]

I guess it would depend on where the crack is located, what you are cooking/how high the heat.

Personally, I wouldn't use it, but retire it to kitchen decor...and search for another (but, keep the lid handy if it will fit on other pans)

[tyusclan]

Originally Posted by Sand Flat Bob

I certainly agree with this, but what a good welder would have to charge to do it and stay in business, you would probably spend less just buying a different one. My Uncles ran a machine shop for years, they welded cast iron, some times successfully and some times not. They always told the customer, no guarantees welding cast iron. There were metalizing methods which could be used, but very expensive.

Bob

That is true. I had a friend who's a welder who did for me as a favor. That's been several years ago now, and you can't tell where the crack was.

But you're right, it probably would be cheaper just to go buy a pan. She had just said it was her favorite, and if she doesn't want to get rid of it, that is an option.

[Fonzie]

Please be vary careful with cracked cast iron! Last week, a friend of a friend had a cast iron skillet with a tiny crack in it. He had it filled with hot oil and frying fish and when he went to move the skillet to the picnic table the handle cracked off in his hand and the skillet portion hit the ground and splashed him from head to toe with hot oil {even his face}. He may even have to get skin grafts now because he's not healing like he's supposed to.

[robin19]

I think I will retire it, it was my great grandmother's Griswold (spelling?)frying pan. I have other pans but this one is so perfectly seasoned and also holds alot of childhood memories. Guess it will be a wall decoration. Thank you everyone for your advice.

[gobug]

Griswold could be an indication your pan is very valuable. I have an old Griswold skillet with a crack, and it is worth a lot of money. I did post a question about it on this site a couple years ago and was told there are possibilities, not welding, for someone with a metal forge and skill to repair it. Shop around and ask questions, but don't throw it away.

[michiganfarmer]

Originally Posted by tyusclan

A good welder that knows what he's doing can weld it good as new for you. There's a process to welding cast iron. You can't just put a stick to it and weld it up, but it can be done.

thats right. Ive seen it done. Oxy-acetalyne torch, flux, and a cast iron filler rod.

Cast melts into a peanut butter consistancy puddle. It pretty tough stuff to weld properly.

I had 2 years of welding class in highschool, and I dont know if I would attempt it.

[QuiltingLady2]

Retire it and make it into a good planter. Then buy another good used one.

Sorry...we all love our cast iron.

[TnTnTn]

I would use it for baking cornbread only, no frying. Doing that should still allow a long useful life without being too hazardous. TnTnTn

[blue gecko]

I've got one with a crack and I only use it for cornbread, making panini and heating tortillas. I'm sure it will go one of these days but in the meantime it still serves a purpose.