'tis the time of year to think of making BBQ tools

Any suggestions on finishes other than chrome? I'm hoping there is a finish I can do myself. I'm talking about hotdog forks, skewers, etc. Things that will be coming in contact with food.

--George

Reply to
George
Loading thread data ...
[posted and mailed]

George wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

Stainless Steel?

Reply to
Marty Escarcega

That's certainly one option. I was at an RV show this past weekend and was looking at some neat stuff they had that would be easy to make. The only difference is that they chromed the heck of out stuff.

--George

Reply to
George

I made both skewers and hotdog roasters from stainless steel welding rod. I suppose if you're making a few million units a year the cost difference between plated and stainless may be significant but for an individual it's a no brainer.

I won't have time tomorrow but wednesday I'll try to remember to post a picture of the hot dog roaster. It has the advantage over most that it is mush safer for young kids than the usual ones.

Ted

Reply to
Ted Edwards

Reminds me... how is cast aluminum (any alloy) for cooking?

Tim

Reply to
Tim Williams

George wrote: (clip) Any suggestions on finishes other than chrome? ^^^^^^^^^^^ I really dislike the look of chrome on most things. I have made a number of barbecue tools for my own use, using ordinary mild steel, with no particular finish. It has a nice "blacksmithy" look, and if you keep it wiped dry, a slight oiliness from use seems to provide adequate protection against rust. In any case, it's no worse than an old fashioned carbon steel knife blade.

Reply to
Leo Lichtman

Using the welding rod is a hack of an idea. They had these hotdog skewers that were twisted 1/8" road about 3' long going into wood handles. I can certainly make the twist and using welding rod is a heck of an idea. I'm only talking about maybe making 12-24 for family use.

--George

Reply to
George

This was my original thought, but I was trying to think of a way to increase the rust resistance a tad.

For example, I considered:

  1. Sandblasting/beadblasting to give the oil a place to grab hold.

  1. Heating up the assembly red hot and then dipping it in a cooking oil vs. motor oil to blue it.

  2. I've seen some electrolytic tinning kits, but don't know if they are safe for food.

--George

Reply to
George

Bead blasting, by brushing a fine wire wheel, followed by running colors with a torch and applying oil makes very a nice finish.

Too hot! You'll caramelize the oil and make the tools impossible to clean. Heat black hot, just enough to make the oil smoke when it's applied. A traditional finish is linseed oil and beeswax 1:1, but any cooking oil will do. For an example, please see .

Lightly oil the tools after using with edible oil and they'll last a lifetime. [...]

Reply to
Tom Stovall

On Tue, 13 Jan 2004 11:22:43 GMT, George vaguely proposed a theory ......and in reply I say!:

IMO stainless steel.

The other methods only work for people who appreciate metal and cooking utensils and that they are worht maintenance. I am more experienced with wood (barbecue settings) and I see some of my lovely oiled tables going to crap, for the lack of 15 minutes' work per season.

I do use cast iron cookware, and worship the stuff. But I have inherited 2 pieces from the "throw out your rubbish" days at the front of peoples' houses, all rusty and "useless".

**************************************************** sorry remove ns from my header address to reply via email

I was frightened by the idea of a conspiracy that was causing it all. But then I was terrified that maybe there was no plan, really. Is this unpleasant mess all a mistake?

Reply to
Old Nick

You have a good point Nick .... sigh ... I guess I'll look into stainless. It'll do the job - it just doesn't sound as fun :-)

--George

Reply to
George

Stainless rod or bar stock may also be more readily available as 'wire'. HTH.

Reply to
John

--The best finish is barbecue sauce! :-)

Reply to
steamer

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 10:39:33 GMT, George vaguely proposed a theory ......and in reply I say!:

Believe me man! I still have the plans for those settings, and one day I will build one for myself.....when I get time to do something nice for me instead of the relatives..... :-

Reply to
Old Nick

I posted a description and photo of the hotdog cooker I made for use around our campfire. See

It's cheap and comparatively safe for kids to use.

Ted

Reply to
Ted Edwards

That's an awfully green looking hot-dog in it.......;->

Pete

Reply to
Peter Snell

ageing Gerry :-)} London, Canada

Reply to
Gerald Miller

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.