Vintage Descoware Assistance Needed

[rp2813]

My friend's Descoware skillet has been stricken with burnt residue that doesn't want to scrub off.  I didn't ask for details on how this occurred.

 

He has soaked the pan for an extended period, first trying water and then oil.  Using a fingernail, I couldn't scratch the surface of whatever it is that decided to transfer itself onto the pan's surface.

 

Any suggestions for removing this material without damaging the pan?

 

Here's what we're dealing with:

 

 

[ea56]

I’d try BonAmi, its non abrasive and its good at getting difficult dirt and build up off of surfaces, I don’t believe it would damage this surface. BonAmi used to be used for cleaning windows and it didn’t scratch the glass.

Eddie

 

[tomturbomatic]

An alternative would be heating a solution of water and dishwasher detergent. If you use an enzyme detergent, hold the water to 100-110F. If it is a detergent with chlorine, you could up the temp to 150F or so. You could try that then test with a plastic spatula to see if any progress was made. Is the mark something that you can feel with your finger or is it more of a stain?

 

[rp2813]

I could feel the burnt area, but as stated above, my fingernail did nothing to it.

 

I was thinking about Bon Ami, or maybe a careful approach with a razor blade. 

 

Since my friend doesn't own a dishwasher, I'll see if I still have any detergent around.  All I use anymore is pods.  There's always the dollar store . . .

 

[steved]

Baking soda

Sprinkle a little baking soda and rub it with your fingertip. I use that to clean off burnt things on my gas cook top.

 

[xraytech]

Would oven cleaner work?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Oven cleaner would be something to try. Good Idea.

 

[ea56]

Or how about trying ceramic stove top cleaner like Weimans? That won’t scratch, and I’ll bet it will get this burned area off. You could also try using a wooden spoon to manually scrap it off.

Eddie

 

[rp2813]

 

 

Wow and thanks to all for the great suggestions!  I'll pass them along. 

 

Where is a jar of brush-on Easy-Off  when you could really use one?

 

 

 

[ea56]

Brush On Easy Off, oh how I wish they still sold that. So much better than the spray with the fumes and the overspray getting all over the elements and thermostat tube.

Eddie

 

[revvinkevin]

What about Bar Keepers Friend?

Non-abrasive and won’t scratch!

 

[rp2813]

 

 

Eddie, I feel for you, even though every oven I've had for the past 30 years has been a self-cleaner. 

 

Kevin, I consider BKF & BA to be in the same genre, so either one is worth a try.   I do like BKF better for my stainless sink, though.

 

 

[steved]

Bar Keepers

I believe that Bar Keepers is a bit more acidic than Bon Ami. Can anyone verify?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Yes, Steve. It can be used to polish copper and clean stainless steel like Cameo.

 

[steved]

Thanks Tom!

Couldn’t remember who told me that and I thought maybe my brain fabricated it.

 

[rp2813]

Success!

I've been forgetting to take my friend's skillet home and hit it with oven cleaner, but today I finally remembered.

 

I found a can of Easy-Off oven & grill cleaner in a box so gave the burnt residue a shot of it.  I warmed the pan and waited ten minutes after spraying.  Most of the residue wiped off.  I gave it a second treatment and left it on for 20 minutes.  That got the pan clean.  There's a slight stain remaining, but the pan surface is smooth.  This is as good as it's going to get.  Following up with BKF effected no change.

 

I decided to hit the exterior with more Easy-Off since there were areas that could use it, including where the handle fitting meets the pan.  The only areas that didn't come clean were small chips in the enamel.  This pan has seen some hard use.  It's far from a showpiece, but this nice big skillet likely hasn't looked this good in many years.

 

Thanks for the advice.  My friend is going to be very happy.

 

 

[tomturbomatic]

YAY!

 

[sarahperdue]

brush on Easy Off...

can be made by mixing lye with water and cornstarch. Google recipes for diy paint stripper (Peel Away is one brand).

You make a mixture of lye, water and cornstarch. Apparently people use lye to make crystal meth. It's no longer available in the drain cleaner section of local supermarkets here. I get mine from our independent hardware store. I don't know if the big box stores carry it.

BKF has oxalic and citric acid.

Baking soda is a mildly alkaline (lye is a strong, caustic alkaline). Sometimes soaking a pan overnight or a bit longer with baking soda and water will take care of burned on stains.

S

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Sarah

I have a container of lye around here somewhere.  I don't know where it came from.  I'm not inclined to go near the stuff, but the brush-on recipe may change my mind.   My mom's grandmother was blinded in one eye by lye, I think when making soap. 

 

Many years ago when a friend and I picked olives from a neighbor's tree and decided to cure them in his bathtub, he got a small chunk of lye lodged under a fingernail and it burned like hell.  The olives turned out nicely, though.

 

[sarahperdue]

lye

eye protection and gloves are a must. If you have a respirator with vapor cartridges, I'd wear that too... If you don't have a respirator, don't worry, the smell will let you know you shouldn't breathe it!

In retrospect, I should have mentioned all this earlier. If you do get some on you, rinse with water and vinegar...

It's wonderful stuff when you need it, but very caustic. Now that I look back on it, I was about thirteen the first time I used it--to mop a floor. I don't remember my grandmother giving me any special instructions, she just handed me a can of Red Devil, a mop and a bucket.

Do not use it on aluminum

Sarah

 

[launderess]

Lye can be very difficult to find nowadays.

Our local True Value hardware store has it on shelves, but many other local hardware stores either have quit stocking, and or it is locked away requiring someone to fetch.

Remember reading label from a lye container that gave directions for making soap. While interesting reading, am not going to try that at home.

 

[sarahperdue]

Lye soap

My husband used to make lye soap with lard and coconut oil. It's one of the mildest, best soaps I've ever used, even on my face. Alas, we are at a standstill. He accidentally made a batch with rancid lard, and it smells like chitlins. None of us will use it. I think even he gave up on it, but he won't toss it, and he won't make more until it's gone.

So, the boys and I buy face and body soaps. My husband travels a lot and uses the soaps he brings home from hotels.

Anyway, the lye and oils go through a process called saponification, and it is no longer caustic once the chemical reaction is complete.

S