Restoring a Lodge 12 Camp Dutch oven handle

[rey k!ng]

I am ready to put my old Lodge number 12 camp Dutch oven into a lye bath to strip off the old gunk. I found that a magnet sticks to the wire handle so I am pretty sure it is not stainless steel. I want to know if the lye will hurt the iron plating on that handle if I leave it attached. It would save me some time to keep it on but I do not want to ruin the finish. Have any of you noticed the lye changing the color of the bail? Does the lye soak actually get the handle cleaner than a good scrub?

 

[Dj Jimmy]

You could also try using a vinegar soak for the handle separately to avoid any harsh reactions.

 

[sweetsands]

I am ready to put my old Lodge number 12 camp Dutch oven into a lye bath to strip off the old gunk. I found that a magnet sticks to the wire handle so I am pretty sure it is not stainless steel. I want to know if the lye will hurt the iron plating on that handle if I leave it attached. It would save me some time to keep it on but I do not want to ruin the finish. Have any of you noticed the lye changing the color of the bail? Does the lye soak actually get the handle cleaner than a good scrub?

Remove it if you want to be thorough. It makes it much easier to scrub the area where the wire loops into the pot. You can get a better grip on the lid without the handle getting in your way. But do not worry about the lye hurting the metal because it will be fine.

 

[timtamtim078]

@rey k!ng Watch out for zinc plating because lye might take the shine off that specific finish. Just be ready to oil it right away so it does not rust.

 

[checkm8]

I always leave the wire handle on when I use my lye tank. The lye is great for removing old grease but it does not react with steel or iron. Your handle will come out looking like bare metal just like the pot. And it saves you the trouble of bending the wire to get it off.

 

[Goldenat0r0012]

I am ready to put my old Lodge number 12 camp Dutch oven into a lye bath to strip off the old gunk. I found that a magnet sticks to the wire handle so I am pretty sure it is not stainless steel. I want to know if the lye will hurt the iron plating on that handle if I leave it attached. It would save me some time to keep it on but I do not want to ruin the finish. Have any of you noticed the lye changing the color of the bail? Does the lye soak actually get the handle cleaner than a good scrub?

Would you like me to find a step by step guide on how to safely season your Dutch oven handle after the lye bath?

 

[the plankton]

The lye will strip the seasoning off that handle completely. You will need to treat it just like the rest of the cast iron. I usually wipe mine down with a thin layer of oil and put it in the oven. If you leave it bare it will start to rust within an hour. And that is a lot more work to fix later.

 

[mix and max]

I keep my handle on since lye ignores the metal and only attacks the old grease.