<p><strong>Most household pans work fine for melting lead</strong>. Make sure they are thick enough, don't have plastic parts, and don't have Teflon or similar coatings (Teflon and lead share their melting points, <a href="https://www.protolabs.com/media/1014742/teflon.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">apparently</a>). It's best to use a metal handle (I've used those aluminum camping pan grippers in the past, which are very practical, but I only melted relatively small batches).<br />
Cast iron and steel pans and pots are all okay.<br />
The <strong>Dutch oven</strong> and a cut-in-half propane tank seem to be fan favourites for melting lead.</p>
<p>Lead melts at the relatively low 327°C (621°F). High heat settings on stoves <a href="https://cooking.stackexchange.com/a/85647">can reach up to 343°C (650°F)</a>. This means all household pans should be up to the task.</p>
<p><strong>You can use aluminum bakeware for casts</strong> (like muffin pans, or those disposable oven dishes which can be shaped easily by hand if you don't care too much for detail).</p>
<p>You're probably aware of this, but <strong>please be careful when melting lead</strong>: the toxic gases can lead (heh) to lead poisoning. Preferably work outside and definitely <a href="https://pksafety.com/blog/lead-dust-and-fume-protection-for-fishermen-melting-lead" rel="nofollow noreferrer">use a respirator</a> (rated N-100, R-100, or P-100/HEPA; and opt for a reusable one ('half face') as they have superior face seal), eye protection, and protective clothing (in case of splashes).</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-05-30T16:57:07.927Z
Excellent answer. I suggest mentioning and clarifying a couple of points: 1) Can you use a pan with a nonstick coating? 2) I assume (but would like to see it confirmed or not) that a pan used for melting lead should not be later returned to use for cooking food.
csk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-05-31T19:26:01.810Z
@csk Added, thank you. As for #2, I simply wouldn't risk it (see [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/castiron/comments/6asuwc/if_a_ci_skillet_was_used_to_melt_lead_will_it/) for comments :).
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-01T15:38:13.267Z
You can often pick up stainless steel pans cheap second hand in charity shops (and presumably thrift stores in other countries).  That would seem a reasonable way to get a dedicated pan
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-05-30T08:43:41.533Z
2021-05-31T19:19:36.530Z
2021-05-31T19:19:36.530Z
Joachim
<p>By &quot;cast,&quot; think they are trying to say mold. The beginning technology would be silica sand with a binder. Silica is common beige beach or &quot;play&quot; sand; the binder could be water (damp sand), but will have no strength when it dries. I am thinking something like white wood glue diluted with water. Or, look up &quot;how to make a simple sand mold&quot; on the net. As answered, any kitchen pan could work, but I would not use aluminum because its strength is seriously compromised before 650 F. Industrial lead pots are cast iron (no coatings); I think that is a good hint. Although more expensive, I suggest pewter (mostly tin) or a solder like 50/50 lead/tin for beginning efforts. This is not rocket science; before video games, most kids I knew melted lead toy soldiers for something or other using a kitchen pan.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-01T18:44:36.150Z
There are internet sites for "sand casting pewter" that give more info. Just replace "pewter" with lead and you will need about 100 f higher temperatures but everything is very similar.
blacksmith37
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-05-31T21:41:23.203Z
2021-06-01T13:48:01.907Z
2021-06-01T13:48:01.907Z
blacksmith37
<p>What materials can I use to make a cast for melting lead?<br />
And how would I make the cast?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-11T11:49:32.700Z
For small casts, cuttlebone used to be fashionable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuttlebone
Polypipe Wrangler
<metalworking><mold-making><casting>
What materials can I use to make a cast for melting lead?
Sarah McCanahan
# What materials can I use to make a cast for melting lead?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-05-29)

What materials can I use to make a cast for melting lead?  
And how would I make the cast?

**Tags:** metalworking, mold-making, casting

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: For small casts, cuttlebone used to be fashionable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuttlebone  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-05-30. Score: 4

**Most household pans work fine for melting lead**. Make sure they are thick enough, don't have plastic parts, and don't have Teflon or similar coatings (Teflon and lead share their melting points, [apparently](https://www.protolabs.com/media/1014742/teflon.pdf)). It's best to use a metal handle (I've used those aluminum camping pan grippers in the past, which are very practical, but I only melted relatively small batches).  
Cast iron and steel pans and pots are all okay.  
The **Dutch oven** and a cut-in-half propane tank seem to be fan favourites for melting lead.

Lead melts at the relatively low 327°C (621°F). High heat settings on stoves [can reach up to 343°C (650°F)](https://cooking.stackexchange.com/a/85647). This means all household pans should be up to the task.

**You can use aluminum bakeware for casts** (like muffin pans, or those disposable oven dishes which can be shaped easily by hand if you don't care too much for detail).

You're probably aware of this, but **please be careful when melting lead**: the toxic gases can lead (heh) to lead poisoning. Preferably work outside and definitely [use a respirator](https://pksafety.com/blog/lead-dust-and-fume-protection-for-fishermen-melting-lead) (rated N-100, R-100, or P-100/HEPA; and opt for a reusable one ('half face') as they have superior face seal), eye protection, and protective clothing (in case of splashes).

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Excellent answer. I suggest mentioning and clarifying a couple of points: 1) Can you use a pan with a nonstick coating? 2) I assume (but would like to see it confirmed or not) that a pan used for melting lead should not be later returned to use for cooking food.  
> **username_2**: @username_3 Added, thank you. As for #2, I simply wouldn't risk it (see [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/castiron/comments/6asuwc/if_a_ci_skillet_was_used_to_melt_lead_will_it/) for comments :).  
> **username_4**: You can often pick up stainless steel pans cheap second hand in charity shops (and presumably thrift stores in other countries).  That would seem a reasonable way to get a dedicated pan  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2021-05-31. Score: 2

By "cast," think they are trying to say mold. The beginning technology would be silica sand with a binder. Silica is common beige beach or "play" sand; the binder could be water (damp sand), but will have no strength when it dries. I am thinking something like white wood glue diluted with water. Or, look up "how to make a simple sand mold" on the net. As answered, any kitchen pan could work, but I would not use aluminum because its strength is seriously compromised before 650 F. Industrial lead pots are cast iron (no coatings); I think that is a good hint. Although more expensive, I suggest pewter (mostly tin) or a solder like 50/50 lead/tin for beginning efforts. This is not rocket science; before video games, most kids I knew melted lead toy soldiers for something or other using a kitchen pan.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: There are internet sites for "sand casting pewter" that give more info. Just replace "pewter" with lead and you will need about 100 f higher temperatures but everything is very similar.  

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