Thread: I need help in cleaning a cauldron

My friend gave me a mini cauldron that she had left outside forever. it is cast iron, but rusted over.. is there anyway to clean this. I really would love to use this, plus when she moves she is giving me a big cauldron that she has used for her flowers for the last 20 years... HELP!!!!!!!!!! thanks in advance..

I would use a non-soapy brillo dry to sand off the rust first! if there are too many layers of rust...you might want to throw it out and start fresh! Rust is not a symbol I would want in my rituals...[lol][lol][lol]

Same with the one that had flowers in...if you wash it with water let it sit in the sun to dry! Iron cast cauldrons really dont need water....just a dry brillo to scrape off dirt and rust! the dirt is mother earth so it has the Element of Earth already present ~ [lol][lol][cool]

once you scrape the rust off..and if its intact. Then there is a spray from the hardware store you can get to spray to retard/prevent the rust reforming so quickly and makes it water repellent.Or if its cleans up ok and you can bear the thought of it, cast iron is best treated with heat and in being baked(in the oven).This is where the heat gives it that black colour.Just suggestions.

BB

CAst Iron, once you get it cleaned, takes very well to having oil rubbed into it often. Oil preserves the quality of the metal by preventing it from getting brittle. you could also use a mild steel brush to get off the rust, then oil it (even if thre's still some rust) then scrub again, then oil and so on till it comes clean. Then make sure you keep oiling it. Clean regular vegetable oil works perfectly.

I like the oven heat seasoning!...the stuff to spray on it for *no more rust* may not be *flame resistant*!!!!!! and....you want to have fire in your cauldron right? [grin] just remember that *oil* is flammable.... and if it is all over the cauldron the whole cauldron will catch fire...just till it burns off the oil! [lol][lol][lol]

I bet Mr. Clean's MAGIC ERASERS could help. Mr. Clean!

But seriously, you could try something the CLR or one of the other many rust fighting things. I don't know of many but maybe CLR could help (If you have it where you live. I'm not sure.).

I have used the no more rust stuff on my large outdoor Cauldron and live to tell the tail[lol][lol].Its used for fires and the cauldron is ok too![smile]

BB

Avalonstar wrote:
I have used the no more rust stuff on my large outdoor Cauldron and live to tell the tail.Its used for fires and the cauldron is ok too!

BB

Good to know Star! thanks [grin]

I want to thank you all for your help. I will try these. Surely one will work..Everyone have a blessed day..

There is one other great way to clean cast iron and depends on the condition of the metal under the rust. Have it sand blasted. This will take all of the rust off and leave you with the bare cast iron you can then season with veggie oil and heat. This is fairly inexpensive and quick. Check your phone book yellow pages and you will more then likely find a company that does this. Look under decorative iron,sand blasting, or metal.