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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Meatwad on January 19, 2006, 03:55:46 PM

Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: 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?
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: FUNKED1 on January 19, 2006, 04:02:03 PM
Lacquer Thinner
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Skuzzy 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.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Skuzzy on January 19, 2006, 04:06:42 PM
Acetone might do it too, but it will be messy.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Sandman on January 19, 2006, 04:09:37 PM
Open the windows. Turn the stove on "HIGH". ;)
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Skuzzy on January 19, 2006, 04:11:08 PM
:rofl   That is just evil Sandman.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: capt. apathy 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.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: LePaul on January 19, 2006, 05:58:34 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Sandman
Open the windows. Turn the stove on "HIGH". ;)


....and breathe deeply?  :t
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Wolf14 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.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Airscrew on January 19, 2006, 06:26:54 PM
I have this happen a few times,  Sandman's right :D
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.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Meatwad 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
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: culero 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
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: AWMac 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?

Stay tuned to: Now that I chopped wood for the fire place, what is the best technic to stop the flow of blood?  Head, Shoulders, knees and toes...?

Self inflictected gunshot wounds and what prevents them...?

Electricity, Our friend, Our Enemy!!  110/220.

Power Tools that hurt.
~section covers..
   - Chain saws and ladder.
   - Power saws and distractions.
   - Drills, How'd that happen?

Cars, Lawn Mowers and anything with motors.
   - Coils Count!
   - It was only a Spark Plug Wire.
   -Bet I can stop the fan with my hand!
      ~Why alcohol is bad in the workplace.
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Mac
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Maverick 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.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Meatwad 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
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Maverick on January 19, 2006, 08:53:38 PM
Wow you might just make some money with that antique!!! :p
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: capt. apathy on January 19, 2006, 09:12:10 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Meatwad

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


yep late 60's or early 70's

  appliances only came in 3 colors, green, white, & yellow

or (if you are woman or appliance salesman) avocado, ivory, & harvest gold
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: rpm on January 20, 2006, 01:29:44 AM
Skip partying for a weekend or two, take the couple hundred bucks you saved, head down to the local Sears outlet store and buy a new stove with a scratch or two. I picked up a ceramic top stove from there a couple years ago for less than half of retail and you can't even see the ding.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Airscrew on January 20, 2006, 08:55:09 AM
Quote
Originally posted by capt. apathy
yep late 60's or early 70's

  appliances only came in 3 colors, green, white, & yellow

or (if you are woman or appliance salesman) avocado, ivory, & harvest gold


I think you missed one,  what about the funky burnt copper redish/brown color.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: capt. apathy on January 20, 2006, 09:23:22 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Airscrew
I think you missed one,  what about the funky burnt copper redish/brown color.


cool, one successfully removed from memory, 3 more to go.
Title: Removing melted plastic from stove element
Post by: Mustaine on January 20, 2006, 12:02:31 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Airscrew
I think you missed one,  what about the funky burnt copper redish/brown color.
HAHAHAH!!!!

we had that color one in my house growing up.... had it for like 20+ years too.