Cauldron

[quanyindisciple]

So, I just got a brand new cast iron cauldron. I feel like making brews, teas, balms, salves, and anything I don't want to ruin a cooking pot for if I mess up.
Here's my question. In the herbalist books I have read, they say to always avoid mixing in metals (mostly by contact with the metal by the hot liquid). So I am worried about using it/breaking

Comments

[pierceheart]

You might want to consider seasoning the cast iron cauldron, which will develop a polymer coating on it, so as to not get actual contact with the metal.

http://sherylcanter.com/wordpress/2010/01/a-science-based-technique-for-seasoning-cast-iron/

[quanyindisciple]

Checking it out now, thanks

[ianphanes]

Was it manufactured as culinary cast iron, or a ritual object? If it's culinary cast iron, follow the standard procedures for seasoning cast iron cookware. (See pierceheart's comment.) Don't cook anything toxic and anything that will be ingested in the same cast iron pot. If it was manufactured as a ritual object, I wouldn't trust it for cooking.

[quanyindisciple]

OH I didn't think of that, it's a ritual cauldron 7" x 7"... not "officially" for cooking. It actually didn't come with any "Warnings or instructions" (disappointing), and thus came my question.

I will look up the manufacturer for details.

[mageoflamancha]

Also on the avoid metal side of the debate- it's worth checking out if the warning is based on a magical reasoning- such as iron being baneful to some energies, in some cultures- though also a boon to others.

Or if it's an interaction with compounds of the herbs with certain metals- whether real, suspected, or superstition at this point.
Many recipes suggest non-reactive cookware, just to avoid altering the recipe-or in the case of iron, the darkening that occurs to food when cooked in it- such as any middle to high acid food.
If it is a food safe cauldron, and you don't mind have more iron in your food and diet- it's certainly a tradition means of cooking.

[quanyindisciple]

Also a Good thought

I like the reasoning... Alchemically

[tryst_inn]

A friend of mine had a treasured iron pot from a family member that she was concerned about using for liquids, so she went to a glass artist and had an insert made to protect the iron and the liquids.

Might be an option for you?

[quanyindisciple]

This one might be the most interesting yet. I think your idea is absolutely perfect, but I am short of people and resources... However I DO know there's a Ceramics class at the local college... hrmmmm... :) this has merit, thank you

[tryst_inn]

You are most welcome. I've seen them for metal chalices (wine in metal = yuck!) and we figured it should work well for cauldrons. So far, so good and its been 15+ years now.