This is my wife's favorite cooking pot. It has got to be 75+ years old. She got it from her aunt many years ago. The handle has rotted away and she wants it replaced. Not a big deal, however I have some thoughts about the wood and type finish I should use. I should use hardwood for sure, I am concerned about the finish. Maybe an oil? varnish?  What would you use around heat and food?

some things just wear out.

I found a nice piece of Purple Heart and may use it. Still need some thoughts on wood finish, heat and food

Probably mineral oil

Behlen's salad bowl finish, if you want a hard finish.

From their website..."Behlen Salad Bowl Finish has been specially formulated to allow for the following statement. "This product contains FDA regulated ingredients complying with 21 CFR 175.300." and therefore achieves a non-toxic, safe for food contact (in its cured state) finish. Wooden bowls, wooden utensils, butcher blocks and recreational related objects (games, puzzles, pull toys) when finished with Salad Bowl Finish may be used in contact with foods." 

It doesn't affect the wood color. Don't know about UV, though.

Just had a thought. If you're going to turn it, maybe, CA?

Edited December 11, 20187 yr by Gene Howe

i don't see any food that will be consumed touching that handle.  so the finish can be anything.

 

looks like the threads let go.  are the pot threads still good?  looks like aluminum and steel.  galvanic corrosion awaits.

Pot threads are rusted but good. I agree with you that food won't come near the handle.

i'd search for some high temp epoxy to bond the pot to the new handle.  350F should be sufficient.

Got one just like it that was my Mom's . Club Aluminum and my dad replaced the handle with the end of a broom handle. We do not use it so just a memory. I think the originals were enamel paint and that would work well.

If I used purple heart, it wouldn't get painted. 

ash or maple w/ food grade cutting board oil...

dark wood hides dirt better....like walnut!

oak,  bacon grease, several coats, polish to high gloss

just saw a video where a guy used JB weld to make a cylinder head for a small engine.  ran for 60 seconds, no problem.  combustion gases are way hotter than cooking temps on a range.  i'd look into using that to join the handle to the pot.

5 hours ago, DAB said:

looks like the threads let go.  are the pot threads still good?  looks like aluminum and steel.

could always heli-coil it with SS insert...the thread-loc for heli-coils is heat resistant

4 hours ago, Ron Altier said:

Pot threads are rusted but good.

Probably rust swarf from the handle threads...pan appears to be aluminum so the thread bore itself wouldn't rust, but as the handle bolt has deteriorated over the years it has left deposit build up from water seeping past the handle into the bore. I'd use a SS bolt in the new handle and either the Behlen finish Gene suggested or Marine Spar Varnish...my 02/100.

Drill through the pot and use a stainless carriage bolt.  Bury a T-nut in the handle to attach it.

8 hours ago, Ron Altier said:

What would you use around heat and food?

You can get pen blanks in various plastics. That would be my choice. Impervious to water, no finish needed...

John

Bakelite..

 I did luck out, the threads were OK. The bolt was badly rusted and I plan to replace it with a new eye SS bolt. I got it all disassembled, got a new bolt, got some Purple Heart and proceeded to to the lathe, using the old handle as reference. HOWEVER, someone said,"hey you can't do that now, I need that pot!. I guess she thought I'd do all that in an hour. Anyway, I cleaned the old stuff up, epoxied the broken and tightened it all back. 

 She is making peanut brittle and she has done it so many times in this pot that she felt that this is the only pot that will work.................go figure

Bet she is sleeping at 2am. Get the elves up and get to work.