Author Topic: Removing melted plastic from stove element (Read 538 times)

Meatwad · « **on:** January 19, 2006, 03:55:46 PM »

Title says it all, I set the top of a tea pitcher on the top stove element and whoops. Is there a trick to getting it off? Stove is GE and about 30 years old and too old to get replacement elements for. Money is very tight and cant afford another stove right now. Any suggestions?

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2006, 04:02:03 PM »

Lacquer Thinner

Skuzzy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2006, 04:02:52 PM »

Try taking ice and placing it on the plastic. The expansion coefficient of plastic and metal are different enough it might shake loose. Depends on how much and how widespread the plastic is, and what type of plastic.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2006, 04:06:42 PM »

Acetone might do it too, but it will be messy.

Sandman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2006, 04:09:37 PM »

Open the windows. Turn the stove on "HIGH".

Skuzzy · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2006, 04:11:08 PM »

That is just evil Sandman.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2006, 04:59:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Try taking ice and placing it on the plastic. The expansion coefficient of plastic and metal are different enough it might shake loose. Depends on how much and how widespread the plastic is, and what type of plastic.

very good advice. if that doesn't work though try removing the element and putting it in the freezer, or if it's too hard to remove (or glued in place with melted plastic) put some dry ice on it.

not only will the different expansion/contraction rates help separate the bond, if you can get it very cold the plastic becomes more brittle and easier to break off the thinner pieces.

remove bigger pieces by heating up a stiff putty knife (wooden handles only) and using it to scrape them off.

LePaul · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2006, 05:58:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman
Open the windows. Turn the stove on "HIGH".

....and breathe deeply?

Wolf14 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2006, 06:21:20 PM »

I would take element off, go outside, and slowly burn the plastic off with a bernzamatic torch or some other open flame type of source.

Airscrew · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2006, 06:26:54 PM »

I have this happen a few times, Sandman's right

I just turn on high, open the window and turn on the fan. burns off the plastic, then wait for the element to cool off and clean with 000 or 0000 steel wool.

Meatwad · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2006, 06:45:33 PM »

Somehow the elements have to come out of there, but as of right now I am not smart enough to figure out how. Apparently stoves are smarter then I think. I'll try the ice idea

culero · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2006, 06:46:34 PM »

I had a similar accident the other day. I fixed it while the burner was still hot, and the plastic still soft - used a metal spatula and scraped the plastic off. You might try heating your element just enough to soften the plastic and try that.

culero

AWMac · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2006, 06:58:48 PM »

Take the element out, place it in the freeze for 3 hours, once frozen most will come off.... take a Brillo pad and scrub, while cold.... add ice to glasses of tea cause it's a workout.

Next week: That ice in the neck of a German Beer, once outta the Microwave and chipped out with an icepick. What removes Beer Stains from the ceiling?

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Maverick · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2006, 08:30:27 PM »

You might just save yourself the trouble and just go to an appropriate store and buy an replacement element. They are available for purchase and that might be the best option available to you.

Meatwad · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2006, 08:46:31 PM »

This is what I did

I looked at the element and picked at the plastic. I put 2 and 2 together and got 22, so'd I get my utility knife and take the blade out, hold it horizontal and it peeled right off.

For the replacement elements, I talked to the appliance store where this came from and they said for this model the elements were discontinued years ago. By now your saying to to yourself "How old is that thing?"

Well the temp controls are just push switches. The stove is green if that tells you how old it is. I am thinking its from the 60 or 70's