Cleaning Carbon Build Up Lye Bath Vs Oven Cleaner

A

AVaccaro

New member
Recently picked up a Wapak chickenfoot on ebay. I knew it needed some work the the carbon build up is a lot more then I thought. I usually clean my skillets with an oven cleaner and let it sit for a day. I never used it on a skillet this bad. Most of the build up is in the outside side wall. Would letting the oven cleaner sit for longer and multiple applications take care of the build up or would I need a lye bath? I would prefer the oven cleaner.
 
Never used oven cleaner but I knew I would be doing more CI so I just invested in a 30gal barrel and filled it with 20 gal of water and added lye. Works really well and I can do 5 or 6 skillets at one time. I've had some that had to stay in for a couple weeks.
 
Oven cleaner and a lye bath work via the same mechanism. The lye in both works on the grease left in the build up, softening it so it can be rinsed off. Build up that has been reduced to just carbon (no grease left in it) won't be affected.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top