repairing/re-surfacing enamel-coated cast iron

[schipperke]

I have a wonderful old Danish dutch (oxymoron?) oven, which my mother-in-law brought back from Europe about 50 years ago. Unfortunately, my son let it boil dry for a LONG time, and the interior enamel has a large chip. Can it be repaired or re-surfaced? I really love this piece. I don't know the manufacturer - only "Denmark" is legible on the bottom.

Thanks!

[splinter747]

Hi, I would not use any chem, you can check a potter and see if he can re-fire it in a kiln. OR ,,,I came across a large set of those beautiful old French orange pot sets the out sides were beautiful the inside was toast. lucky me I have a sand blaster at work and also a glass beader. I did a small area with the sand blaster but found it to aggressive so I used the glass beading machine. it took off everything, the inside looked like a new C/I pan then I seasoned it like you would a black C/I skillet. works great the trick is to do a good job seasoning it takes time and the right temp.

Splinter747

[I used to know how to cook...]

Hi schipperke,

My only thought is *perhaps* a vintage stove restoration company could help.

Among other things, they re-do the cast iron burner grates. It involves sandblasting the old finish completely off, then coating with porcelain. That tells me they couldn't simply repair the chipped interior.

Whether that would be worthwhile I don't know.

Lucy

[kaleokahu]

Hi, Lucy:

I think you're right and this is a good suggestion.

There is a product called Porc-A-Fix that is marketed mostly for fixing enamel chips on appliances. They have a high-temp version for fireplaces, BBQ grates, etc., that they say is good to 425F. See, http://www.find-a-fix.com/product_inf... I do not know if it is approved for food-handling equipment or cookware. And it may not last very long. On the other hand, it's $8.

I've used the high-temp version on my 1950s range, at the edge of the burner rings, and it has held up well.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Kaleo,

You do know this can also work for your Le Creuset too... maybe.

[I used to know how to cook...]

Hi you two,

I just took a little walk on the Internet to check out Kaleo's suggestion. Porc-A-Fix is similar to a product I used many years ago. Basically it's like nail polish. I doubt it would hold up in a cooking vessel.

That said, in my wanderings I came across two sites that have to do with repairing Le Creuset. I believe the first link is in response to the situation covered in the second.

Here are the links:

http://www.enameledcastiron.net/2010/11/how-to-repair-le-creuset-enameled-cast-iron/

http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/go...

Hope this helps...

Lucy

[kaleokahu]

Chem: It *could*, but the bigass chip on my LC is on the outside of the pan, and it has a hairline crack running through the wall. So I think the pan is a poor candidate for any fix.

BTW, my chip looks an awful lot like the one shown in Lucy's 2nd link--maybe a little bigger but also a little less jagged.

[Chemicalkinetics]

From what I read, it is "possible" to repair, but it is very expensive and it is questionable if it will work the same after repaired.

[mikie]

I would think you would need to strip the entire piece and then re enamel it as if it were new. The enamel melts and solidifies, so to reheat enough for it to flow to a smoth surface would mean it's all going to flow. I can't imagnine it could be done for less than a new piece, probably much more.

[Chemicalkinetics]

I agree, well, at least that is my understanding too. Now, it got me thinking... can we put tin on cast iron cookware like we put it copper cookware? My guess is a "no" otherwise someone would have done it.

[BiscuitBoy]

For cooking use - not practical to repair....Not even sure I'd wanna use it as the possibility of the chip fracturing further and contaminating what's being cooked. It'd make a cool cookie jar tho, maybe use as a centerpiece, fill with nuts, etc, or poke a few holes in the bottom and use a planter

[hobbybaker]

BuisuitBoy, Are you sure a cookie jar, not a biscuit jar ?

but I like your idea. it is a bit heavy but ya, why not ? Cute planter also good but I have no one poking holes for me....

[c oliver]

A nail and hammer makes a great hole poker :)

[luvsummer]

From everything I've read, it can't be repaired. The enamel is applied under very high heat. However, just keep using it anyway as if it was a non-enameled cast iron. Eventually that spot should get seasoned. You may want to avoid using it for tomato- or acid-based foods, but as long as the chipping doesn't continue, and the chips end up in your food, I'd keep using it.