Remember kids, Oven Cleaner is caustic!

[Michael_in_TX]

I can't believe I did this. Again.

So, I really wanted to give my kettle grates a good deep clean, so like I did a few years ago I reached for a can of oven cleaner to really do some serious work. And, also like a year ago, I forgot what oven cleaner is made of and did not wear gloves.

Sigh.

Oven Cleaner is aerosolized lye and it will dissolve skin. I looked in utter confusion as to why I was getting these oval marks on my hands and arms, as if I has scraped up against something really abrasive. It then hit me what was going on. Ack! (And I did the same thing about four years ago!)

So, remember that oven cleaner (for Easy-Off it is the one in the yellow can; the "fume free" one in the blue can is a different compound) is corrosive: wear gloves, preferably long ones, safety glasses, and a mask.

Or better yet, just do what I am going to do.....go back to a spray with Simple Green, a soak in Dawn, and then some work with SOS pads.

[RonB]

Tough, but remember, it didn't happen without photos...

[Oak Smoke]

Do you have a cooker you can put them and clean with 800 F heat? Mine come out dark colored but completely clean.

[Michael_in_TX]

I've tried leaving my Kettle dome off and just letting the fire get as hot as it can, but it still leaves significant bits of grease and carbon on.

[Donw]

Back in the day we use to use Easy Off to remove paint from machinery. Yes, wear your gloves and eye protection.

[WayneT]

Ouch! Don't make the third time a charm.

[Michael_in_TX]

I plan not to!

[smokin fool]

Yeah, I always forget too then wonder why the skin on my hands acts like Play-doe.

[Michael_in_TX]

Yes....that is exactly what happened to my hands. The amount of hand lotion I went through yesterday was crazy!

[Steve R.]

I would say that one only makes this mistake once, but that is obviously not true.