How to make an electrolysis tank - The basics

Electrolysis can be handy in removing rust and/or carbon from cast iron and other metals. We use it after a lye bath so our E-tank stays nice and clean for as long as it can.

Cast iron restoration - Lye then electrolysis
After soaking your pan in lye for a period of time you will notice all the grime is gone. It will still be rusty, but the carbon is removed. You would then move it to the E-tank which uses electricity to pull rust away from the metal. Electrolysis will also remove carbon (grease, or the black finish on the pan).

We show you how to restore, season, and maintain your cast iron cookware while keeping its personality and history alive. Our process involves a lye bath followed by an electrolysis tank with a little elbow grease thrown in along the way, no power tools.

Check out our Discord, Instagram, or Twitter for restoration help and resources.

[Lordulthan]

Hey the PVC rack is a great idea! Thanks!

[diygeneration]

*I've been wanting to try this for a long time, there are a lot of things I need to remove rust from. I will make a video about it too :-)*

[JohnSautter]

Looks like you hooked the steel plate to a little gray box of some sorts, and the pan to a battery charger, can you explain the little gray box and the hook ups?

[xro]

Red to anode, black to cathode - Both look red to me. ? Then a black connected to the pan. I am guessing here because the instructions kind of confused me but both the reds are HOT and the Black in Negative?
Mine blew up. Musta done something wrong.

[misterjim]

Why not submerge the handle w/ the clamp? That will leave a line on the handle. Can’t the negative clamp be submerged in the solution?

[Malcomb]

Is the water toxic to skin afterwards?