Some very good points from Kutter, Brent and others. One more thing to never do, with lead ........ if you leave a substantial amount of lead in your pot to cool down and solidify. Next time you heat it back up the lead will begin to melt at the bottom. There will be a layer of solidified lead on the surface that will lead you to wonder if your pot is getting hot enough. It will be the last to melt. Never use an object to break that crust to "hurry things along". I once did, using a sharp, pointed awl. When the point broke through the crust a geyser of molten lead spewed upwards out of the hole made by the awl. Only because of a quick reaction did I narrowly escape a serious burn. Lesson learned .......... patience is a virtue. From what keith wrote it sounds as if this same thing could happen with nitrates.
Great idea of Craig's about the steel rod.
Best, SRH
