How to Clean Alum Trivet

[BillC]

I've recently acquired a couple of alum Dutch oven trivets.
They're in pretty bad shape dirt and grease wise. I've read that the lye tank won't work, neither will electrolysis.
I've rubbed and rubbed with dawn ans scotch brite to no avail.
What can I do? Will a very short trip to lye be ok?
Thank you for any and all input,
Bill

 

[Doug D.]

Dawn Power Dissolver, if you can find some. It's in a pump spray bottle, not a type of dishwashing liquid.

 

[EricC]

Dawn Power Dissolver was changed from a consumer product to a commercial product so it's hard to find at the grocery store. But you can get it on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PRACR7W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not cheap though.

 

[BillC]

Thank you for the info. DPD is ordered.
Will report back on results.
BTW, vinegar is excellent for taking stains off nickle plated pans!

 

[Roland B.]

Hi Bill! I'd like to suggest trying some of the milder ways to clean aluminum before going the chem route? If it's really bad, you might want to add some 000 or 0000 steel wool to your arsenal:whip2:...Check this out - https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Oxidized-Aluminum

 

[Doug D.]

It doesn't appear that oxidation is the problem. DPD will soften and dissolve the polymerized build-up and allow it to be removed with a soft bristle brush (toothbrush) without altering the original metal surface texture.

 

[BillC]

Awesome info once again!
These trivets are still kind of sticky from previous use. No amount of scrubbing was working.
I'm hoping that a good cleanser in addition to elbow grease will allow them to get clean enough that I'll feel comfortable using them in a cooking environment.
If it comes down to it, I'll just boil them and be done. Looks do count however.
Just looking for some of those wonderful nuggets of information that are out there on this forum.