crock pot idea(s)

reible · Post by **reible** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:48 am

First a brief history, for those that know me this is a classic post, for those of you who are new here this is not my first crock pot idea but the first one that really uses a crock pot.

For some time now I have know about crock pots, those in the kitchen like we used to make roast beast with the other day and those used in the shop. While the roast beast was wonderful this is not the right forum for that. Shop uses is another story.

People in to model airplanes have been know to clean engines in a crock pot, motorcycle people have cleaned carbs in a crock pot... some other uses are for soaking bearings in hot oil and I'm sure the list goes on.

On a recent day I was watching this old house, more then likely a rerun but since I don't seem to find the time to be a regular watcher I have to take advantage of the opportunities that do present them selves. On the show a man was working on the hardware restoration and using a crock pot to "cook" the paint off. They gave little detail but it was the reason I decide it was time for my own crock pot. Cheap as I am I headed for a Goodwill store and for $3.99 I saved my marriage by not experimenting with the one we have for food.

A few minutes of searching gave me several ideas of what might work as far as a cooking solution. I'm new to this so I have just been experimenting with simple green but TSP and other things including just water were listed.

BTW the airplane engines and the likes are done in antifreeze, bearing are done by putting them in a can with oil and weights if needed and then putting the can in water in the crock pot. Stuff I picked up over the years but never applied to paint removal processes.

Picture this:
[ATTACH]13595[/ATTACH]
A flag pole bracket that has been house painted over way to many time. The paint was so thick the flag pole would not even fit in it anymore. I saw it and felt the heft and knew it had to be a cast part, nothing like the folded sheet metal stuff I have at home. So it followed me home and has sat around a year or two or three wait for me to clean it up. Now with the crock pot to play with this seem the time to give it a try.

Water and about a 1/4 cup simple green and in goes the part.
[ATTACH]13596[/ATTACH]

I covered it and set it on low for an over night run.
[ATTACH]13597[/ATTACH]

When I came back in the morning a lot of the paint had come off and I got to excited that I forgot to take time to take pictures. Most of the remaining paint came off with the use of a putty knife and tooth brush. A few areas needed some extra work and I should have put it back in the pot but elected to work a little harder and clean it up. It is cast so the ruff surfaces in a few places required the use of a wire brush.

Results:
[ATTACH]13598[/ATTACH]

I have done a limited amount of items and thus far only with simple green. I have been very happy with the results.

Let me conclude with a few other things I have learned.

One item with baked in cooking grease had a not so pleasant smell in the morning, so I'm glad it was done in the garage. Other just painted things smell mostly like the simple green.

I have been using old t-shirt fabric to filter the paint out of the solution, then tossing it into the garbage. I guess if it happened to be old lead paint one might want to rethink things.

The pot gets residue from the process and needs to be cleaned after a project. Might want to revisit cooking time to limit water loss. So far I have been just doing it over night. The residue seems to form where the water level is/was.

Would love to here from others who do this and hope a few here will get on the band wagon for this crock pot idea.

Ed

rpd · Post by **rpd** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 12:22 pm

What a great idea, thanks for posting it.

Off topic, but the thread title reminded me of a pin I saw once that proudly proclaimed:

I'm not a Crackpot, I'm a Psycho Ceramic!

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:10 pm

That is a neat idea. I had never heard of it. Thanks for posting.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:20 pm

Great Post, Ed!:D I'll remember this for sure! I'll be on the lookout at used/discount stores for a pot of my own!

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:34 pm

charlese wrote:Great Post, Ed!:D I'll remember this for sure! I'll be on the lookout at used/discount stores for a pot of my own!

Ditto. And, thanks Ed. Good to see you in print again.
I'm on the prowl now for that pot for the shop.

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:24 am

A crock pot. How the heck had I missed the notion of using a crock pot?

Thank you!

wiredone · Post by **wiredone** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 1:49 am

I see crockpots in the thriftstores all time. So many in fact that the price is usually pretty cheap.
What a cool idea, thanks.