How much white powder on a cook box is a death blow?

[JimV]

Soooooo as we come across these ole fixer uppers I have come across some cook boxes that are a lil heavier on the oxidation of the aluminum box creating this white powder. Some have sat for a long time without being used and this might let the white powder gain momentum. So far I have just been able to wire wheel away the powder and move on....but in the back of my head I wonder......is this box now weaker? More porous? Is it gunna blow out on a hot cook?

At what point is the white powder gunna be a search for a transplant cook box for u guys????

 

[Bruce]

Unless you can really see some deep pitting in the aluminum, I wouldn't worry about it. Usually, it is just like surface rust on steel and you simply grind it off and repaint.

 

[JimV]

Good deal