Cleaning a Chromalox Type Stovetop Burner Element

[rp2813]

My friend accidentally turned on a burner that had a plastic shopping bag sitting on it (older Frigidaire cooktop).  He caught it quickly, but it left a residue on the coil that he hasn't been able to remove with a scrubber or even a pumice stone.  Trying to burn it off using the High setting didn't even faze it.  If pumice didn't work, I tend to think steel wool won't either.  Any suggestions on other methods to try?

 

[ea56]

How about trying to rub the plastic off with a cloth soaked with vegetable oil? I think that the oil may work as a solvent on the plastic. Peanut butter would also possibly work. A hard bristle toothbrush may also facilitate in the removal of the plastic residue after the application of vegetable oil or peanut butter.

If this works, then when the plastic residue has been removed, clean off the oil with a cloth and hot soapy water, then turn the burner on high for a a minute to burn off any remaining oil.

Of course, turn off the breaker while doing this work so as not to get shocked or short out anything.

Eddie

 

[combo52]

Getting Melted Plastic Off An Electric Surface Element

Turning the element on high for 10 or 15 minutes will burn off all the plastic, then sand or scour away any remaining residue with brillo or even sand paper.

 

I have seen this happen more times than I can remember and never have not reenable to save the element.

 

This element unplugs easily for cleaning if yo want to rinse it off, however do not soak the terminals in any liquid.

 

John L.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Eddie and John for the quick suggestions.

 

I think when I tried to burn off the residue I only left the burner on for about five minutes after it produced a dull red glow, and not seeing any change, I abandoned the process.

 

For sure if using Eddie's method I'd remove the element.  This is such a flimsy cooktop that I had to switch placement of the two 8" elements in order to get the subject one, which is positioned at right front and used far more often than its counterpart at left rear, to sit solidly in its ring without being all wonky and floppy.  They pull right out.

 

[jamiel]

if you're really bothered by it replacements are <20 dollars....

 

[rp2813]

Jamie, yes, I've seen replacements on hanging cards at ACE and the other big box home improvement centers.

 

There's a slight possibility that friend may be moving in the not too distant future.  If we can't get the existing burner back to looking normal, a replacement would likely be cheaper than the amount the landlord may choose to deduct from my friend's deposit.

 

One of the smaller burners is missing its center cap, so if a new burner is purchased the cap from the old one can perhaps be harvested.

 

[ea56]

But Ralph are you sure that those replacement elements at Ace will fit this Frigidaire stove? Most of the older electric stove burners I’ve seen use different plug in connections than the type readily available now. In fact most of the older electric stoves I’ve seen don’t use plug in elements. Thats why in my suggestion for cleaning the element I said to turn the breaker off first before using anything wet on the element.

If it is a plug in element and you can find the correct replacement element I’d just replace it.

Eddie

 

[rp2813]

Well Eddie, I'm pretty sure.  Since I've extracted all of this cooktop's elements before, I know what the connecting portions on them look like and what I saw at ACE looked very similar.  IIRC, the cards the elements are attached to indicate the stove brands and perhaps the models that they'll work on.  

 

If  we end up replacing the element, I'll take it with me to match it up.  There's an independent appliance parts dealer within walking distance from me, and I know he'll for sure have what we need if the hardware stores don't.

 

[ea56]

Sorry Ralph,

When I saw the title thread using Chromalox type element my mind went instantly to the old Westinghouse type elements that weren’t removable. I shoulda known that you knew what you were dealing with. In that case you shouldn’t have any trouble finding replacement elements, as you know.

Hope that you can resurrect it and save the expense. Good luck.

Eddie

 

[rp2813]

Eddie!

 

 

LOL re: Chromalox vs. Corox!

 

As the late great Emily Litella used to say, "Oh, that's different. Never mind!"

 

 

 

 

 

[ea56]

Oy Vey Ralph!

Dyslexia strikes again! LOL

Eddie

 

[tomturbomatic]

While the element is hot, a brushing with a brass wire brush like for grill cleaning might solve the problem.

 

[rp2813]

I have a few things to try now.  We'll see what I can accomplish next time I'm over there.

 

[rp2813]

Back To Normal

I tried John's method first since it was the easiest.  It worked like a charm.  A green scrubber removed the barely visible traces of plastic without any fuss after the element had cooled.

 

Thanks to all who contributed with suggestions.

 

[sudsmaster]

Ralph,

 

Glad you got it fixed. The chemist in me was going to suggest some sort of solvent, like paint thinner or even paint stripper. Or perhaps something like Methyl Ethyl Ketone or Acetone.

 

But of course you'd want to pull the element and do it in a safe place where drips and fumes won't create a fire hazard.

 

But the long heating (15 min) and the green stoning sounds best.

 

 

[ea56]

Ralph, I’m glad that burning off the residue on with the burner on high worked. I would have tried this first too, its by far the easiest way to get the plastic off. It’s aways satisfying to make a repair like this and save some doe-ray-me.

Eddie