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Farm Kitchen:  Safety of old dishes?  |
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ashcordes
True Blue Farmgirl
197 Posts
Ashley
Roann
IN
USA
197 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 09:23:43 AM
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Do you guys think it's safe to use old tin pie pans, old galvanized serving bowls, etc? I was thinking of buying up some old pie pans to use as plates to make our kitchen/dining room even more primitive...but didn't know if it was safe to use them or not.
Anyone have any advice on this? |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 10:16:16 AM
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| Some of the old glazes contain lead. For this reason I like to buy things like yellow ware that's reproductions, and dishwasher safe. The other stuff is just for decorative use only. I do use old enamelware, but I wouldn't use old metal ones unless they were good ones, if you know what I mean. I've recently given up using my grandmother's lovely old roasting pot; it's aluminum. |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 10:27:58 AM
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You can purchase a lead testing kit at Lowe's or any other home inprovement store. The swabs turn pink if lead is present- enough to know whether or not you should use the dishes. They are inexpensive, but worth more when you think of the health benefit!!
Karin |
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ashcordes
True Blue Farmgirl
197 Posts
Ashley
Roann
IN
USA
197 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 10:44:35 AM
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| Thanks for the info on the lead testers...didn't know such a thing existed! |
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lamamama
True Blue Farmgirl
255 Posts
Melanie
CA
USA
255 Posts |
Posted - Jan 11 2007 : 5:36:36 PM
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Hi, Ashley
I have used those lead test kits - they work really well. You can also find them in baby supply stores, since lead is such a big issue with kids. And Mary Ann is right, lots & lots of antique/vintage dishes have lead in the glaze. Like her, I've switched to mostly reproductions, althought I do use a few things for items such as bread platters, cake platters, serving cheese, etc. Not for regular,everyday eating, & never for use with anything acidic, such as tomatoes, citrus, etc. After I tested my Flo Blu collection, I just got rid of most of it - just kept a few for display. It was sad, but I thought it best for the health of my children. |
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primjillie
True Blue Farmgirl
138 Posts
Jill
Antelope
CA
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2007 : 07:50:07 AM
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| I'm very into primitive too and I use a lot of my enamelware (old and repro) for food serving. I think it is mostly the old glass or stoneware type dishes you have to worry about, not the metal or tin. I didn't know they had testers either, so that is a good idea. I use reproduction yellowware for dishes that I bought at Plow and Hearth. I never thought about using old tin pie plates or something similar, but I think it is a great idea! The more prim, the better! |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2007 : 2:27:48 PM
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I'm so glad you asked this question. I have some VERY OLD dishes from Crooksville China, they are probably 75 years old. The glaze has crackled and at the crackled edges it is kind of gray. I have soaked them in bleach, which lightens it up temporarily, but after a while it turns dark again. They are very festive as they have gold trim around the plates, but I am afraid to use them, even for holiday meals only. Do you think it would be safe?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Farm Kitchen: Safety of old dishes? |
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Safety of old dishes?
