Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Cleaning carbon off non stick pans

1,602 views
Skip to first unread message

David WE Roberts

unread,
Dec 4, 2011, 4:45:02 PM12/4/11
to
O.K. it shouldn't be there.

Google hasn't given me much help.

I am trying the soaking in a biological washing liquid, but this doesn't
seem to be shifting it very much.

Has anyone a good method of cleaning accumulated carbon off non-stick frying
pans to restore the non-stickability or at least reduce the stickability?

If it was a normal pan I'd just replace it, but it is an electric frying pan
so the replacement cost is much higher.

Cheers

Dave R

--
No plan survives contact with the enemy.
[Not even bunny]

Helmuth von Moltke the Elder

(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

Charles

unread,
Dec 4, 2011, 6:31:12 PM12/4/11
to
On 04/12/2011 21:45, David WE Roberts wrote:
> O.K. it shouldn't be there.
>
> Google hasn't given me much help.
>
> I am trying the soaking in a biological washing liquid, but this doesn't
> seem to be shifting it very much.
>
> Has anyone a good method of cleaning accumulated carbon off non-stick
> frying pans to restore the non-stickability or at least reduce the
> stickability?
>
> If it was a normal pan I'd just replace it, but it is an electric frying
> pan so the replacement cost is much higher.
>
> Cheers
>
> Dave R
>

add water (and or a touch of washing up liquid) and let it heat up? It
has probably lost its non-stickability

Gazz

unread,
Dec 4, 2011, 7:48:45 PM12/4/11
to


"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:9k27us...@mid.individual.net...
> O.K. it shouldn't be there.
>
> Google hasn't given me much help.
>
> I am trying the soaking in a biological washing liquid, but this doesn't
> seem to be shifting it very much.
>
> Has anyone a good method of cleaning accumulated carbon off non-stick
> frying pans to restore the non-stickability or at least reduce the
> stickability?

angle grinder?

S Viemeister

unread,
Dec 4, 2011, 7:57:49 PM12/4/11
to
On 12/4/2011 4:45 PM, David WE Roberts wrote:
> O.K. it shouldn't be there.
>
> Google hasn't given me much help.
>
> I am trying the soaking in a biological washing liquid, but this doesn't
> seem to be shifting it very much.
>
> Has anyone a good method of cleaning accumulated carbon off non-stick
> frying pans to restore the non-stickability or at least reduce the
> stickability?
>
> If it was a normal pan I'd just replace it, but it is an electric frying
> pan so the replacement cost is much higher.
>

I use bicarb/baking soda. Use a barely damp sponge dipped into dry
baking soda.

Brian Gaff

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 4:25:19 AM12/5/11
to
What exactly has carbonised?
If its the non stick itself then you are stuffed.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff - bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
Blind user, so no pictures please!
"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:9k27us...@mid.individual.net...

Brian Gaff

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 4:28:28 AM12/5/11
to
Actually not far off you will I suspect find its carbon down to the metal.
I think these devices get localised heating as they get old and this cracks
the non stick and then its only a matter of time before the inevitable
happens. New pan is probably the only solution or you will be scrubbing it
for ever until the element or thermostat dies.
Brian

--
Brian Gaff - bri...@blueyonder.co.uk
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
Blind user, so no pictures please!
"Gazz" <n...@spam.ta> wrote in message news:jbh4dd$903$1...@dont-email.me...

The Natural Philosopher

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 5:32:39 AM12/5/11
to
Brian Gaff wrote:
> What exactly has carbonised?
> If its the non stick itself then you are stuffed.
>

IME nothing takes hard carbon off anything except abrasion.

Which is why I do not use non stick pans any more..the average life is
about 1 week. Until they get crapped up beyond the power to remove the
crap without destroying the non stick.


> Brian
>

GB

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 6:12:47 AM12/5/11
to
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> Brian Gaff wrote:
>> What exactly has carbonised?
>> If its the non stick itself then you are stuffed.
>>
>
> IME nothing takes hard carbon off anything except abrasion.

What is 'hard carbon' anyway? Sadly, it's not diamond, or we'd all be rich,
but it's not graphite either, as that's soft stuff that would wipe away
easily.


NT

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 6:19:16 AM12/5/11
to
On Dec 5, 10:32 am, The Natural Philosopher <t...@invalid.invalid>
wrote:
Nothing removes it completely, but it is possible to remove some of it
IME. When non-stick comes out of the dishwasher still hot, the crud is
softened, and careful scraping with a fingernail slowly removes it -
too slowly to remove a lot each time. I've not found any other type of
scraper works.


NT

The Natural Philosopher

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 6:34:04 AM12/5/11
to
My guess is its a polymerised part of the fat with a high carbon content
but where all the free molecular ends that respond to alkali and soap
are simply absent

Probably some sort of ring compound resin..similar to whatever is in
bakelite :-)

stuart noble

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 6:37:58 AM12/5/11
to
Leave the pan in soak for an hour. The lifespan of ours is >5 years

The Natural Philosopher

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 6:47:49 AM12/5/11
to
I sioked some smoke damaged china for a week in every household chemical
known to man.

In the end it was down to abrasive pads..

stuart noble

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 7:21:47 AM12/5/11
to
The most abrasive thing I ever use on non-stick is a nylon brush
(Vileda, not cheap but very long lasting). Curious that baked on animal
fats are easier to remove than veggie oil.

GB

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 9:25:01 AM12/5/11
to
I wonder what's in oven cleaner? Some strong oxidising agent?



--
Register as an organ donor with the NHS online. It takes 1 minute and
saves you carrying an organ donor card with you.
http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/how_to_become_a_donor.jsp


jgharston

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 10:51:32 AM12/5/11
to
Gazz wrote:
> angle grinder?

Actually, that's exactly the idea I had years ago for cleaning frying
pans - some sort of super slow speed drill with a soft abrasive pad
pressed down onto the pan surface, with some sort of mechanism to
"wiggle" the pan slowly around to move the centre of cleaning around
the the surface. Bit like a lense grinding machine.

JGH

The Natural Philosopher

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 5:12:21 PM12/5/11
to
GB wrote:
> The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>> GB wrote:
>>> The Natural Philosopher wrote:
>>>> Brian Gaff wrote:
>>>>> What exactly has carbonised?
>>>>> If its the non stick itself then you are stuffed.
>>>>>
>>>> IME nothing takes hard carbon off anything except abrasion.
>>> What is 'hard carbon' anyway? Sadly, it's not diamond, or we'd all
>>> be rich, but it's not graphite either, as that's soft stuff that
>>> would wipe away easily.
>>>
>>>
>> My guess is its a polymerised part of the fat with a high carbon
>> content but where all the free molecular ends that respond to alkali
>> and soap are simply absent
>>
>> Probably some sort of ring compound resin..similar to whatever is in
>> bakelite :-)
>
> I wonder what's in oven cleaner? Some strong oxidising agent?
>
>
Its pure caustic soda in a foaming agent.

It will get off 'brown' fat but not 'black' fat.

You need a fair amount of it to get off thick deposits, and its not kind
to aluminium. You need to wash anything down bloody well - a mild acid
like vinegar is a good tip - if food is going to come in contact.


>

The Natural Philosopher

unread,
Dec 5, 2011, 5:13:31 PM12/5/11
to
I've been known to restore straight metal pans with wet and dry paper
followed up by valve grinding compound :-)


> JGH

David WE Roberts

unread,
Dec 6, 2011, 2:52:11 PM12/6/11
to

"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:9k27us...@mid.individual.net...
> O.K. it shouldn't be there.
>
> Google hasn't given me much help.
>
> I am trying the soaking in a biological washing liquid, but this doesn't
> seem to be shifting it very much.
>
> Has anyone a good method of cleaning accumulated carbon off non-stick
> frying pans to restore the non-stickability or at least reduce the
> stickability?
>
> If it was a normal pan I'd just replace it, but it is an electric frying
> pan so the replacement cost is much higher.


Thanks for all the suggestions.
I think I am stuck (!) with some carbon on there.
I cooked it several times with a solution of bio washing liquid (for washing
clothes) and this, combined with a nylon scrub, seemed to shift some but it
would probably take a week to shift it all and would also remove the
non-stick.

Perhaps a few sauces which are heavy on the tomato might help.
Red hot chili?

Frank Erskine

unread,
Dec 6, 2011, 3:03:40 PM12/6/11
to
On Tue, 6 Dec 2011 19:52:11 -0000, "David WE Roberts"
<nos...@btinternet.com> wrote:

>
>"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
>news:9k27us...@mid.individual.net...
>> O.K. it shouldn't be there.
>>
>> Google hasn't given me much help.
>>
>> I am trying the soaking in a biological washing liquid, but this doesn't
>> seem to be shifting it very much.
>>
>> Has anyone a good method of cleaning accumulated carbon off non-stick
>> frying pans to restore the non-stickability or at least reduce the
>> stickability?
>>
>> If it was a normal pan I'd just replace it, but it is an electric frying
>> pan so the replacement cost is much higher.
>
>
>Thanks for all the suggestions.
>I think I am stuck (!) with some carbon on there.
>I cooked it several times with a solution of bio washing liquid (for washing
>clothes) and this, combined with a nylon scrub, seemed to shift some but it
>would probably take a week to shift it all and would also remove the
>non-stick.

Never mind - charcoal's good for you :-)

--
Frank Erskine

Tim

unread,
Dec 6, 2011, 4:38:25 PM12/6/11
to
"David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote:
> "David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
> news:9k27us...@mid.individual.net...
>> O.K. it shouldn't be there.
>>
>> Google hasn't given me much help.
>>
>> I am trying the soaking in a biological washing liquid, but this doesn't
>> > seem to be shifting it very much.
>>
>> Has anyone a good method of cleaning accumulated carbon off non-stick >
>> frying pans to restore the non-stickability or at least reduce the > stickability?
>>
>> If it was a normal pan I'd just replace it, but it is an electric frying
>> > pan so the replacement cost is much higher.
>
>
> Thanks for all the suggestions.
> I think I am stuck (!) with some carbon on there.
> I cooked it several times with a solution of bio washing liquid (for
> washing clothes) and this, combined with a nylon scrub, seemed to shift
> some but it would probably take a week to shift it all and would also remove the non-stick.
>
> Perhaps a few sauces which are heavy on the tomato might help.
> Red hot chili?
>
> Cheers
>
> Dave R

I recall from somewhere that cooking turkey twizlers was supposed to be
good for stripping baked on carbon off of pans. No idea why or whether they
are still available.

Tim

Newshound

unread,
Dec 6, 2011, 5:35:23 PM12/6/11
to
>
> The most abrasive thing I ever use on non-stick is a nylon brush
> (Vileda, not cheap but very long lasting). Curious that baked on animal
> fats are easier to remove than veggie oil.

For cooked veggie oil the thing is Doktor Power (Macro or Amazon)

The Natural Philosopher

unread,
Dec 6, 2011, 5:58:40 PM12/6/11
to
:-)

coke, which has phosphoric acid in it is a useful chemical
there ought to be a wiki on acids around te kitchen

acetic - vinegar and lemons?
citric in citrus fruits
oxalic - rhubarb, especially the leaves.
phosphoric - coke.
Whats in tomatoes?
(Also tamarind as a very different sort of 'sour' in it..
Tastes like vitamin C tablets.)
Sulphamic - descalers.
Formic - descalers.
Hydrochloric, vomit and brick acid/patio cleaner
Sulphuric - drain cleaner..


Sadly for fat removal alkalis are more use..

soaking a pan in neat caustic soda with JUST enough water to dissolve
it, for several says is a good start.


> Tim

fred

unread,
Dec 8, 2011, 1:50:56 PM12/8/11
to
In article <jbm6n8$pt1$1...@news.albasani.net>, The Natural Philosopher
<t...@invalid.invalid> writes

>>> "David WE Roberts" <nos...@btinternet.com> wrote in message
>>> news:9k27us...@mid.individual.net...

>>>> Has anyone a good method of cleaning accumulated carbon off non-stick >
>>>> frying pans to restore the non-stickability or at least reduce the > stickability?
>
>soaking a pan in neat caustic soda with JUST enough water to dissolve
>it, for several says is a good start.
>
Def not a good idea for non-stick coated aluminium, any pits in the
non-stick and the caustic will open up a cavity under the coating,
ruining the pan.
--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .

Weatherlawyer

unread,
Dec 9, 2011, 8:37:19 AM12/9/11
to
On Dec 5, 10:32 am, The Natural Philosopher <t...@invalid.invalid>
wrote:
> Brian Gaff wrote:
> > What exactly has carbonised?
> >  If its the non stick itself then you are stuffed.
>
> IME nothing takes hard carbon off anything except abrasion.

Bleach. Works for me every time.

(Wife wanted, must be good cook. Or able to breathe without
assistance, (some ability to cook preferred.))

84oxf...@gmail.com

unread,
May 18, 2020, 6:40:15 PM5/18/20
to
I use 91% rubbing alcohol to clean guns before i switch to oil. Tried it on nonstick cookware this afternoon and it got most of the carbon off in 15 minutes of soaking and a little friction with a rubber bottle brush then a blue Scotch-Brite pad.

James

Adrian Caspersz

unread,
May 18, 2020, 6:51:37 PM5/18/20
to
On 18/05/2020 23:40, 84oxf...@gmail.com wrote:
> I use 91% rubbing alcohol to clean guns before i switch to oil. Tried it on nonstick cookware this afternoon and it got most of the carbon off in 15 minutes of soaking and a little friction with a rubber bottle brush then a blue Scotch-Brite pad.

Original post from 2011 ...

--
Adrian C
0 new messages