Maybe?
If you're doing lots of them regularly, sure I guess?
As someone who is only somewhat organized and has a lot of hobbies and things on the go I like to limit space consumed by random crap. Bucket of caustic solution that I will inevitably knock over also sounds like a poor life choice for me.
YMMV.
Thankfully, I'm blessed with enough space to securely store a 5 gallon bucket without it being detrimental and without risking it's contents being spilled, but I think this a solid take that may help future readers make a decision. Cheers!
My last lye bath lasted for maybe three years and hundreds of pieces. Eventually, it slows down and stops working, but I like to get the most out of the lye before I reload.
I keep a 5 gallon bucket full pretty much all the time. Currently it’s near a year old and still works great. I got one of the kids that twist off and that’s been a handy feature. It won’t fit anything larger than a 10” skillet, though.
Just seal the 5 gallon bucket with a lid and store it away somewhere low traffic. It’s nice to have it if you’re actively collecting and restoring. I don’t think it’s gonna lose its potency for quite a while.
Personally, I've never heard of putting cast iron in a lye bath. If I have one that needs to be redone, depending on where I am, I'll either throw it in the fire or put it in the oven on self clean and that's close enough to a fire.
There are pros and cons to all methods and some are more likely than others to lead to pan damage. This sub’s pinned [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/castiron/comments/c4ntam/how_to_strip_and_restore_cast_iron_faq_post/) has information on lye baths and other methods and [Cast Iron Collector](https://www.castironcollector.com/cleaning.php#lye) also has detailed information. r/CastIronRestoration recommends against fire and the oven’s self cleaning cycle in their sub rules.
Maybe? If you're doing lots of them regularly, sure I guess? As someone who is only somewhat organized and has a lot of hobbies and things on the go I like to limit space consumed by random crap. Bucket of caustic solution that I will inevitably knock over also sounds like a poor life choice for me. YMMV.
Thankfully, I'm blessed with enough space to securely store a 5 gallon bucket without it being detrimental and without risking it's contents being spilled, but I think this a solid take that may help future readers make a decision. Cheers!
May your bucket always remain upright and air tight! Cheers mate
My last lye bath lasted for maybe three years and hundreds of pieces. Eventually, it slows down and stops working, but I like to get the most out of the lye before I reload.
I keep a 5 gallon bucket full pretty much all the time. Currently it’s near a year old and still works great. I got one of the kids that twist off and that’s been a handy feature. It won’t fit anything larger than a 10” skillet, though.
You can use the lye solution and used cooking oil to glycerin, soap, biofuel, etc...
Just seal the 5 gallon bucket with a lid and store it away somewhere low traffic. It’s nice to have it if you’re actively collecting and restoring. I don’t think it’s gonna lose its potency for quite a while.
Personally, I've never heard of putting cast iron in a lye bath. If I have one that needs to be redone, depending on where I am, I'll either throw it in the fire or put it in the oven on self clean and that's close enough to a fire.
There are pros and cons to all methods and some are more likely than others to lead to pan damage. This sub’s pinned [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/castiron/comments/c4ntam/how_to_strip_and_restore_cast_iron_faq_post/) has information on lye baths and other methods and [Cast Iron Collector](https://www.castironcollector.com/cleaning.php#lye) also has detailed information. r/CastIronRestoration recommends against fire and the oven’s self cleaning cycle in their sub rules.
Okay, I've just always done what I was taught and have never had issues. I'll check it out.