Cast Iron Wash Pot Project

[Retired Army]

I just wanted to share pics of our cast iron pot refinishing project. I got this from my grandmother. She told me it was her great grandmother’s pot from when she was married. According to family history and some research, it’s from 1830’s to 1860’s. Can’t nail it down any closer as there are no makers marks on it anywhere. My 3x great grandmother probably got it from a peddler in rural Heard County or there about. My son, 8 y.o.,and I spent 3 days using a wire wheel, palm sander and vinegar removing the rust. Seasoned it this morning. It’s once again ready to go. We used it for neighborhood fish fry’s when I was a boy. Our intent is to use it for a big family fish fry later this summer. It’ll be passed down to my son when I’m gone. Just think it’s cool. Been in our family for 150-190 years. Before and after pics.

 

[edindah]

Very nice! Truly was a labor of love.

 

[Retired Army]

Very nice! Truly was a labor of love.

Absolutely! Can’t wait to use it again with my children. 1st time in use since about 1978.

 

[MR3663]

I just wanted to share pics of our cast iron pot refinishing project. I got this from my grandmother. She told me it was her great grandmother’s pot from when she was married. According to family history and some research, it’s from 1830’s to 1860’s. Can’t nail it down any closer as there are no makers marks on it anywhere. My 3x great grandmother probably got it from a peddler in rural Heard County or there about. My son, 8 y.o.,and I spent 3 days using a wire wheel, palm sander and vinegar removing the rust. Seasoned it this morning. It’s once again ready to go. We used it for neighborhood fish fry’s when I was a boy. Our intent is to use it for a big family fish fry later this summer. It’ll be passed down to my son when I’m gone. Just think it’s cool. Been in our family for 150-190 years. Before and after pics.

That looks fantastic!!!
How many of us on here have used one of these for skinning hogs??

 

[MuleShoe]

I’ve got one just like it downstairs next to fireplace, it was used for making stew, heating water for hog killing and cooking out cracklings. Still have the ole wooden paddle that we used to stir the stew and crackling with.

 

[Kevin1]

My grandmother had an identical one that she planted flowers in. It had holes in the bottom for drainage? I recognize the distinct handles and wish I could have rescued it. No idea it could have been that old.

 

[thevalueman]

very cool indeed!!!

 

[mfoster]

As a kid I remember going to many peanut cookings in s ga using one just like that.

 

[Retired Army]

My grandmother had an identical one that she planted flowers in. It had holes in the bottom for drainage? I recognize the distinct handles and wish I could have rescued it. No idea it could have been that old.

Unfortunately, a lot of them were turned into planters by drilling the drainage holes. Mine isn’t worth a lot $$ wise, but priceless to me as an heirloom. I know my grandmother made soap in it and washed clothes in it. She had some type of wringer thing on her back porch for running the clothes through after washing before hanging them on the clothes line. I just want to use it one more time for the fish fry, then display it. My son is invested in it and got a nice family history and cast iron lesson. He loves it! I hope it continues to be passed down.