[Ryan]

When you melt large sheets of lead to pour into and ingot mold can you use an old kitchen pot or does it have to be cast iron? I got an old camping stove and some old kitchen pots that I would like to try to use. Thanks Ryan.

[Kajan]

I don't think/know dat a pot could take the heat. I use a cast iorn pot and ladle. Maybe if its SS, dont' think I would chance using an alum pot. Always better to be safe then sorry though. Bon' Luck.

[Basseducer]

Ryan,
We pour molten lead into aluminum molds and aluminum ingot molds or muffin pans. Your camping pots should work. If in doubt, try a small piece of lead in your pot and see if it works. Just my .

[That Dang Guy]

Regular kitchen pots will work. But if they have any coating, it will break up and float to the top with the rest of the contaminants. I use a backyard propane burner to heat the lead and it burnt the handle where it attaches to the pot. It got weaker until it fell off, which can be dangerous when handling larger quanitites of lead.

Cast iron with a solid handle would work best.

[Kajan]

Problem I would think with an alum pot is, when you crank the fire up on the propane burner, you are possibly heating the alum past its melting pt. I know lead is lower melting pt than alum but I crank my fire up high until the lead is melted, then lower it. Just somethin to consider.

[Spike-A-Pike]

Ryan and you other new guys,
There are two threads on melting and fluxing lead that discuss the does and don't when working with lead by some of the most respected guys in the Tackleunderground. I cannot encourage you to go though these threads. Even if you are an absolute expert, it would be a good safety review. You will probably get tired of reading it, but common sense things like face shields, gloves, leather aprons, etc., could save you from the pain of getting burned - and not eating, drinking, or smoking when your pouring least you ingest the dust orally. Good luck with your pours and don't burn anything you're planning to use again.