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Warning: that cheap cast iron you found might be a waste of time
I grabbed an old skillet from a flea market in Tulsa for $10, thinking I'd just strip and reseason it. Turned out the thing had a hairline crack that opened up after my first heat cycle, ruining the whole piece. Has anyone else dealt with hidden flaws in vintage iron?
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riley431h ago
Oh man, that's rough. I actually read somewhere that hairline cracks in vintage pans are way more common than people think, especially around the handle where it meets the pan body. Ngl I've been burned twice by hidden cracks that only showed up after a good scrub and heat. Now I do the "tap test" with a metal spoon - if it doesn't ring clear and instead goes thud, I walk away. Better to spend a few more bucks on a solid piece than waste time on a dud.
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theagibson57m ago
I mean, the tap test is honestly a lifesaver once you get used to it, but with vintage pieces you also gotta look super closely at the seasoning for weird discoloration or bubbling that could hide a crack underneath. Even if it rings clear, I'll do a slow heat test with water on the stovetop first before committing to a full strip and reseason, just to catch any surprises early on. Idk, it's a bummer when you put in all that elbow grease for nothing.
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