E tank not working, could it be the charger?

M

Mike_C

New member
While on vacation in the PHX area I offered to clean up some of my in-laws cast iron. Off to the local big box store, get basics, and then off to get a battery charger.

Got the tank set up, plugged in the charger and... nada. No bubbles, nothing.

Now, I'm used to using an old Sears chargers on wheels that hums like an SOB, but I know that charger is producing current. This newfangled charger makes no noise whatsoever.

Did I buy the wrong type of charger?
 

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Looks like an automatic battery charger. Those need to be hooked up to an actual battery in order to work. Unless you have a spare car, boat, motorcycle, or tractor battery lying around you're probably better off returning the charger and picking up a manual battery charger.
 
Thanks, I had a feeling that was the case. My trusty Sears is a manual charger, but I was seduced by the technology and the price!

Back to O'Reillys...
 
I had the same problem when I started! I went straight to Sears and got a manual battery charger. These new automatic ones are too dang smart and can sense that nothing is hooked up so they stop sending power. A manual one will flow for days :icon_thumbsup:

You'll know it's working when you see little champagne like bubbles rising up the surface. This will happen pretty quickly after you plug it in.
 
Yep, my first clue was no bubbles. My trusty ancient Sears back home never failed me.

The new, cheaper manual charger is doing just fine!
 
Ok, interesting development...

I left this skillet in the tank overnight with the auto charger that didn't work. Pulled the skillet out and noticed these streaks, which weren't originally there, didn't think muck of them. Hooked up the manual charger and let it run for 25 hours. The streaks are still there!!!

What gives?
 

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Hard to say without having seen the pan before you started. Are they raised? Has there been a substantial removal of buildup from the rest of the pan?
 
The streaks definitely were not there before going into the tank

They are smooth, looks like a stain, not any type of carbon buildup. When I first pulled the piece out, a couple of the streaks had a bit of white at the end, like the sodium carbonate built up on that spot for some reason. These spots easily came off with the first cold water rinse.

The iron looks otherwise fine.
 
What is this pan? The number on the handle looks like it's a raised number set inside a depression in the iron. I haven't seen that before. :?::?::?:
 
DonnaM said:
What is this pan? The number on the handle looks like it's a raised number set inside a depression in the iron. I haven't seen that before. :?::?::?:
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Looks like a Wapak. My guess is there may be an Indian Head logo on the other side.
 
No, I hang my pieces by the handle. Behold my $10 setup.

I could understand the streaks/stripes being caused by something dripping into the tank, which could explain them on the bottom of the skillet. But on the cooking surface, which would be protected by the sides from something dripping in makes no sense!
 

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Mike, now the hard part, work. I’d try everything in the kitchen and garage one at a time on the bottom first with an Brillo pad and a wire brush until it went away. It will go away. It won’t be hurt until you get to the grinding wheel. It’s worth it.

Hilditch
 
My plan for New Year's Day is getting up early, throwing a pork shoulder in the smoker and scrubbing away. Staying up late and dealing with drunks ain't my thing.

No worries on using a grinder, I'm too damn afraid of ruining the piece.
 
Jody M said:
Did you try some fine steel wool on it to see if it cleans off?
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I just went after those streaks with a little vinegar and steel wool, and they came right out!

I have a question about using steel wool on cast iron: The guy at Home Depot who helped me find the 0000 steel wool was all concerned I make sure I have something to neutralize the oil left behind by the steel wool. I had never heard of this!

Because I used straight vinegar with the steel wool afterwards I hit the skillet with some baking soda to neutralize the vinegar. Afterwards I rinsed it off with cold water and then straight into a 200 degree oven for 15 minutes.

My big question now is will this supposed oil left behind by the steel wool affect the seasoning process? Or was the simple rinsing in cold water enough?

Or am I worried over nothing?
 
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