At first I never did flux, then I got some lead pipe that was choked up with grease clogs. I didn't know it at the time and my caldron had this got this oily looking sheen. Upon stirring (to remove it) it burst into flames, the top be inundated with it, about 1/8 deep and was roaring. Panic, not really I was watching what I thought was "clean" lead begin to float up some scud. I stirred a little more, more fire and scud. I stirred and flamed till it was all gone and poured my ingots.

Upon using this lead my first time, it sure seemed to pour itself. It flowed like it never had, my spout on my hotpot never did need cleaning. I didn't have flash problems and the sprues broke so clean I couldn't believe it. I had success with quality beyond anything before. I only had 2 bad 1/16 heads out of 1000. My next batch of ingots I didn't flux as well, and although I was now convinced about fluxing, I only a handful of blems. (10-11)

Now, I use solid vegetable shortening in copious amounts, I get that grease covering my lead, and stir and flame. It also does wonders with ww lead which I mix with a little pure at about a 2ww to 1pure in ingots. I decrease the pure as size increases. I only use ww lead for sinkers and big jigheads (1/4+). It does work extremely well. When I look at ingots for sale in some places I can tell what care was given to them. I never use the very bottom stuff for ingots, I allow it to cool and remove the oxides and junk from the bottom. I then use that piece to start my next batch.

Sure seems to work well for me and my Hotpot which I now only clean every couple years. I do pour quite often I might add. I store my ingots inside in Plastic soap buckets and stuff which will seal.

How do you do yours?