Silvery 'metal' bobbles seeped from inside kettle wall.

[SteveC.]

I bought a vintage Holcroft cast iron kettle and having removed the rust and crud as best I could, painted it with melted lard and put it into our oven at 200C to season. When it had cooled I noticed a number of bobbles of metal on the inside some sticking to the side and a couple dropped off. Does anyone know what this is? Could the kettle have been tinned?

 

[Doug D.]

Pieces from Europe and the UK are largely off the US collector market radar. The only pieces I can think of being tinned would be in the nature of utensils like food choppers, fruit/lard presses and other items not used for heated cooking but for which corrosion resistance was required. A photo may provide a clue.

 

[SteveC.]

Hello Doug. Thanks for your reply. I will attempt to post a photo.

 

[Doug D.]

Any suspicions it may have been used to melt lead?

 

[SteveC.]

That's what I'm worried about. I think I will just have to test it to be sure. I don't think the bobbles are lead because the melting point is all wrong. But i'd like to be sure so that we can drink water from it.

 

[CraigA.]

Amazon.com

This is what I use and they seem very reliable.

 

[SteveC.]

Thanks Craig

 

[Scott J.]

Looks like a good thing to have on-hand, maybe while shopping but I assume permission to test must be granted first.

 

[SteveC.]

Hello Scott. Yes good idea to have on hand at garage sales etc. Unfortunately I bought the kettle online.