old kettle?

[slack768]

hey pappy during my dig yesterday i found a kettle, it was about a foot to a foot and a half deep...my buddy thought it was a fire hydrant when he first hit it haha. the pic of it is under the thread "today is the day"
its wicked heavy maybe 15lbs it has a '8' on the lid....i will clean it today and post pics tonight...any thoughts on a date and value?? thx pappy -ATS

[PAPPY]

I saw the pic on your bottles post. The kettle is probably from the early 1900's and possible from the late 1800's. How do you intend to clean it if I may ask?
Make sure after you clean it that you season it inside and out. Let me know if you find any cracks or breaks in it as that will be a factor in the price of the kettle.

[slack768]

so far its coming out great, i do a short soak in warm water and wire brush the surface then rise, then warm soapy water, then fine wire brush then rise.....what about seasoning it??? No cracks but the handle broke in the dig

[PAPPY]

O.K., If you are using water to clean it MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE that on the final stage of cleaning ( If you are intending on using it) that you cover it with cooking oil and it needs to be burned in a fire.

Seasoning should be done after it is burned and cleaned with a clean dry rag.

To season it you should wipe it down several times with a clean cloth soaked in cooking oil...Inside and Out. Allow each coat to dry for a spell ( Maybe 2-3 hours) wipe clean and apply another coat.

If you are going to use it just for show...DO NOT apply any oil to it at all ! Make sure it is absolutely clean and dry and apply stove polish ( Several coats) to it and wipe it clean with a clean dry rag.