Welding Tips and Tricks

Total newbie welder here...I have cast Iron skillet/ grill that cracked and I used my flux core welder to repair it as best I could(given the fact that it is difficult to weld cast iron). It actually came out ok after grinding. I had to weld the cooking surface as well as the bottom.

Is it a concern to eat off of a surface that has an exposed weld? I'm thinking it is ok but wanted to run it by those in the know.

Thanks-

Rob,

I can't think of anything in the weld deposit once it solidified that would be any more hazardous than the cast iron. Might be a little less non-stick than it used to be, but nothing a few pounds of bacon can't remedy.

Len

HI len,

You're probably right, who the heck really knows what that cast iron really has in it anyway. It's a yard sale find made & made who knows where.
I'm interested to see if the weld holds at grilling temps.
Rob

woodguyrob wrote:HI len,

You're probably right, who the heck really knows what that cast iron really has in it anyway. It's a yard sale find made & made who knows where.
I'm interested to see if the weld holds at grilling temps.
Rob

If you wanted it to hold at grilling temps you should have welded it at grilling temps.
Exhaust manifolds are done the same way.

Ahhh... Heat at maximum expansion (maximum grilling temp) and weld at that temp. Makes sense. I pre heated the skillet with a blow torch but probably not to grilling temps.

Fire that thing up and let us know - could work just fine

Worst case is you have to pre-heat and weld it again.

Well I fired up the skillet this morning and there are 3 small holes that I need to clean up and re weld. I'll prep it, get her nice and hot then run a few beads over the problems areas.

All in all not bad considering the initial crack was almost 3/4 of the way across the skillet and went straight through.

I know this is about a month old now, but you hopefully cut a grove into that crack. Many people get all hung up about welding a cast iron skillet, about pre/post heat etc... What they neglect is the more important factor of weld "prep" instead.

Also, many don't realize that cast iron can be welded both "hot" and "cold" welding methods.