Lead testing my vintage Wagner Ware skillet

[will.harbers]

I noticed the cooking surface on a Wagner Ware number three my wife found looked a bit strange. The color seemed off so I used a lead test kit to be safe. It looks like the test came back positive even though I washed and dried the pan before starting. I want to know if I am misreading the results or if this cast iron is actually unsafe to use. Has anyone else seen a positive result on a piece of vintage cookware like this.Thanks!

 

[night game]

I noticed the cooking surface on a Wagner Ware number three my wife found looked a bit strange. The color seemed off so I used a lead test kit to be safe. It looks like the test came back positive even though I washed and dried the pan before starting. I want to know if I am misreading the results or if this cast iron is actually unsafe to use. Has anyone else seen a positive result on a piece of vintage cookware like this.Thanks!

You might want to check your test kit is known for false positives on iron or rust. Have you tried testing a spot that has not been scrubbed to see if the reaction changes?

 

[gentleGIANT]

@will.harbers Did you look for any signs of lead repair or home smelting like gray dull residue?

 

[Squint]

If you heat one of those pan that had lead in it, does heating it to a dull or black red remove the lead?

 

[will.harbers]

Yeah! It is positive for lead. the liquid turns into a pinkish red on the sample card.

 

[BigBob75]

Hang it on the wall as a decoration and move on from there. Good luck. God Bless. Bob

 

[Alan]

I noticed the cooking surface on a Wagner Ware number three my wife found looked a bit strange. The color seemed off so I used a lead test kit to be safe. It looks like the test came back positive even though I washed and dried the pan before starting. I want to know if I am misreading the results or if this cast iron is actually unsafe to use. Has anyone else seen a positive result on a piece of vintage cookware like this.Thanks!

I have not tried contacting Wagner customer support for older products. But might be worth a try. Too bad if it's positive. Try to do thorough cleaning again and do another test.

 

[checkm8]

I agree with @BigBob75! Afaik, it is not recommended to use that cast iron pan even if you will try to thoroughly clean it again.

 

[BigBob75]

I used to melt lead for fishing sinkers years ago. Now I just purchase them. Could this skillet have ever been used to melt lead?