Got My Wheaties Today!

[Dick]

Bankrolls, I used a stainless steel pot, and put the coins in a strainer, SS wire, covered by the water, and then let the water boil, with the coins in the strainer, ( not on the bottom of the pot. (Too much heat?). Then added the Bi-carb, and essentially the same as you. In my case the water did not change color. The foam was slightly greenish, but that' all. Then I put the strainer under the hot water faucet, and poured a couple drops of detergent, then rinsed with the hot water. Then the towel, with the coins separated, and then with another towel, dabbed them dry. Then removed the coins, (all 400) to another dry towel to finish drying. This was outside in the open air. The coins are blackened, but it rubs off readily. My question, now, is what can I do to rid the coins of the black caoting? I'm tempted to "cook" them again, but Not sure if it would do any good. Anyone have this problem, and if so were you able to recover the coins? Comments, and/or suggestions welcome! Those wheaties just don't look like I hoped they would! Admittedly, they ARE very clean! I thought my problem was the SS pot, but evidently that is not the case, as indicated by your comments, above. I now have a Porcelean pot, as suggested by Chuck.
Dick

[BankRolls]

"This was outside in the open air."

Was it over an open fire?
On an open fire, you can't control the heat.
I have melted lead on an open fire w/ no problem.
So, IF, it was an open fire,
that could have been your problem.
To much heat.

My water was green as grass (almost) when I finished.
Are you using "Arm N Hammer"?
(Not that a brand name makes a difference)

How long did you boil them?
I boil mine for 10 minutes,
add a second spoon of Baking Soda,
and continue boiling for 5 minutes.
I then clean them in tap water only.

[BankRolls]

Also, I only boil about 30 at a time,
in a small SS pot.

[BankRolls]

[Rhubarb]

BankRolls,

I've done the same thing. I use a Porcelean Pan, a stainless steel colender. I put the coins in obverse side down, usually 7-8 roll's. I let the water come to a boil then count the minutes. After 10 minute's I add a table spoon of Arm and Hammer Baking soda. I adjust the temp so not to boil over. After 15 min. take them out, run under cold tap water. Pat dry. Any unclean coin's I use a "soft" toothbrush using cold water to remove the rest. Hope this help's.

Rhubarb

[BankRolls]

Hi Rhubarb,
I have been VERY happy w/ my results
In fact, I have two old coffee cans full of wheats,
and pre 80 cents I'm thinking about cleaning in the same manor.
This has REALLY helped to remove the crud,
revealing what lies beneath

[Dick]

Bankrolls, I think I may have found my problem. I put the coins in the SS strainer, w/o regard to the "up", or "down" of the coins, and bring them to a rolling boil. Then comes the "arm & hammer". (((They boil for 10 minutes, then they come out, and get a drop, or two of "Dawn", and get rinsed under warm water.))) Then to the towel. I don't add the 1/2 tbs of soda, and don't rinse directly, under cold water. The "outside in the open air", was the drying process! I used the stove in the kitchen, (and had to clean up the mess, when I finished)! Back to the kitchen, with two batches! One is a new batch, and the other is the Black ones, those that are still here. I'll let you know how they turn out.
Dick

[hasfam]

I hope you don't mind my jumping in here on the post, but I tried the cooking/cleaning process the other night and everything worked out just fine. I cleaned 50 rolls of nasty wheaties. here is how i did it.
1. soaked 4-5 rolls in a bowl of distilled water & a couple drops of liquid soap for 5 mins.
2. rinse in distilled water.
3. fill pan 1/2 way with tap water and place stainless steel double boiler on top and heat on high.
4. add distilled water to top double boiler.
5. when top water started making tiny bubbles add 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
6. drain pennies from distilled rinse water and ad to top boiler.
7.cook 5 minutes and add another tbs baking soda and cook another few minutes. (this process stinks up the house)
8. remove top boiler and pour out into a plastic colender.
9. pour cleaned pennies into a glass container of distilled water to rinse and cool. stir around for a minute.
10. drain pennies from rinse and pour out onto towels on kitchen table and spread out so none are on top of each other. let air dry.
whalla. No turning weird colors, all clean.
You keep everything moving along in an assembly line. It took about an hour and a half to do 50 rolls.
Then my wife got home and saw the mess and smelt the house. It stunk. There was white and green junk on everything. Wet brown Pennies all over her table on clean towels. Anyway, I survived and the wheaties are ready for searching.
Rock

[BankRolls]

ROFL
You sound like me Rock.
Just do it, and pay the consequences later.

[Dick]

Rock, I made a copy of your "list", and will get to it as soon as I get my computer room back to an organized mess, again! I am STILL shuffling things around to be able to do what I would like to be able to do!
I was just thinking of the water here. As you know, we have a very high amount of chlorine in it, inorder to be able to drink it. I filter my water, but drink very little of it, because I can't stand the taste of it YUCK!!! My grandson is building a water treatment plant to process the surface water coming from Lytle creek, so as to get rid of the Perchloriates, from the time when rocket fuels were made here. Depending on when you visit here, we might be able to go over and see how he is doing. Maybe stop by Fontana Coins, as well. Depends on your time table.
Dick

[hasfam]

My wife and I were trying to remember Fontana Coins. Is that on sierra ave? I remember a shop in redlands, Rialto and then Coops. BTW, I used to fish up in Lytle Creek decades ago. Some nice trout used to run thru there.
Rock

[Dick]

Yes, it is on Sierra Ave, just south of Foothill, (I think). Could be Arrow. The Rialto coins, is no longer. He sold out, and went "back to Kansas". The "CD" part of the operation wnt to the Mall at Foothill, and Cedar. The wife is not much on coins. She likes the slot machines at San Manuel. You will have to stop by there while visiting, and and see the new casino. No doubt your family will take you there. Forgot to ask, will you be flying, driving, or Amtrack?
Dick

[hasfam]

Haven't been on a cross country train ride since 1959 but would love to again. It's just too expensive and there's no trains here. Have to drive to Ill to get the train. Driving takes too long and I can't spend 6 days of my 8 driving so flying it will have to be. Just don't know when yet.
It has been a slow night on the search. Nothing. Until my wife says, come on and go to bed. I say ok, wait until I finish these last couple of coins. And Bam. A big fat double bar on the 6th column on a 2004-P. Not listed. Close to the #023 but markers don't match and mine actually has 2 bars. a fat long one next to the column then a thin shorter one next to that. Will post pic tomorrow. I can go to bed happy now.
Rock

[Dick]

rest easy, my friend!
Dick