Welding stainless with a MIG machine

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The spotwelds holding the handle on one of our stainless steel cooking pans have broken. Can I weld it back on with regular ER-70S wire and argon/CO2 gas? I don't care much about appearances, but obviously wouldn't want it cranking and breaking.
Reply:So rust is ok.
Reply:Yes. Nothing scotchbrite can't clean occasionally.
Reply:Sure, post pictures.   The pan will burn on the inside and the stuff on the handle is thin as can be.  I have done a few.  Its harder than it looks.   Find some stainless filler if you can.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Hey ttyR2,Is this for your own personal use, or is this for a restaurant/food outlet? If personal use, go ahead.....you will have a bacteria issue. If for a restaurant, it HAS to be repaired with a SS filler. I do 6-15 SS restaurant pieces a month & use 309L for all the repairs. They get inspected & would be subject to a stiff fine if one or more of their cooking pieces/utensils were welded with plain steel filler. The only other exception is that silver-solder is allowed as long as there are no pores.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:As mentioned, you 'can' weld stainless with C25 and mild steel filler.But as also mentioned, the weld and the surrounding area will no longer be stainless.And as also mentioned (yet again   ), if this is a typical thin stainless 'flange' that is spot-welded to the the outside of the pot/pan, it  is usually rather thin metal.  Pretty darn easy to blow a hole right through it.  Or the pot/pan side wall.  Or both.You can try to do a rude-n-crude 'get-by' fix.  That would be welding it with carbon filler.Or spend a bit more time and do a 'better' and more proper repair.  Weld with stainless filler or braze the handle 'lug' on.And as mentioned, if for commercial/restaurant use, stainless weld or food-safe braze only.  And that also usually means smoothing and polishing things to at least a matte-type (ScotchBrite type) finish as well (no nooks or crannies or crevices for food, gunk, or bacteria to get trapped in).YMMV.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Just spot it with the steel wire. Its not the best, but it will work. About the sanitary issues- have you guys ever been in a commercial kitchen?  A spot of light rust on a pot is the last thing to worry about. If this were a chemical plant or food plant I'd say no way. If you have burn though back it up with a chunk of copper or aluminum. grind smooth and polish as fine as you can. Yorkiepap- why the 309? Why not a straight stainless filler?