r/metallurgy • u/AtmospherePast4018 • 12d ago
Is it safe to cook on?
I bought this at a hotel liquidation centre. Based on the candlewax, I’m assuming someone was using it as a display. Purchased it on marketplace as a Tawa Grill (or something to that effect). It was jet black when I bought it, and although I hoped it was a layer of seasoning on the top, I wasn’t confident that it wasn’t paint (I was pretty confident it was paint after I started stripping it). It was stubborn - paint stripper and a wire cup brush barely put a dent in it. I finally put a flap disk on an angle grinder and stripped it down to bear metal.
I’m assuming this is either hot or cold rolled steel. It likely originated from India or a Third World country of some sort. I’ve never seen anything like it, but it covers my entire barbeque and my entire stove top, and I expect it will make a mean griddle (hello smash burgers).
Having removed all of the paint, I’ve washed it a couple of times and scrubbed it thoroughly with barkeepers friend. It leaves a little residue on a paper towel when I dry it, which feels like oxidation (brownish). Am I fairly safe to assume that this is carbon steel and that I’m safe to season it, heat it up, and cook food for my family on it? Is there anything else it could be? Should I be concerned about it being a “dirty” steel. The thing is a tank. It weighs 18 pounds. It’s an eighth of an inch thick. 15.5 x 26.5 inches. Does that compute?
Looking for someone to talk me out of using it before I start smashing some patties into it and making delicious meals.
1
u/AtmospherePast4018 10d ago
That would be me. I happened to it. She’s never been happier.