Cleaning my cast iron from exploded battery and plastic
I am a baker and just moved houses. I used my cast iron to hold my electronic scale, which is made of plastic and had batteries in it, and without checking put the whole container into the oven at 450. I realized my mistake not soon enough, and while the plastic was not molten, the batteries had certainly exploded by the time I took everything out. Uh oh.
How could I clean battery acid/plastic off my cast iron to make sure its safe to eat from?
Best Answer
Lots of of abrasives. Electrolytes from the batteries won't soak into the iron, and lithium is not soluble in solid iron if they happened to be lithium batteries. If you can get all the plastic completely removed, the chemicals from the battery are water soluble so it will just wash off.
EDIT:
Depending on your battery type, you might want to dispose of the pan. If alkaline batteries were used, be aware that the electrolytes from the battery are caustic. They can cause tissue damage(topical burns), which should be treated with soap and water.
Either way, cleaning the pan could be dangerous, and you might consider throwing it out completely, because of the precautions you'd need to take. However the pan should not have suffered any corrosion from the battery, metal is non reactive with a base, and there is no compound in a alkaline battery that is reactive with metals. You can confirm this via the MSDS for most batteries. KOH is the only chemical that is corrosive, but its not corrosive to iron. In fact KOH is commonly used to clean cast iron, because it will corrode everything but the iron.
Pictures about "Cleaning my cast iron from exploded battery and plastic"
How do you clean battery corrosion off electronics?
White vinegar or lemon juice: Most household batteries contain bases, so acids will neutralize their discharge. Rubbing alcohol: Isopropyl alcohol is a safe and effective way to clean electronics without leaving behind moisture and other residue.Is corroded battery poisonous?
Is battery corrosion dangerous? Battery acid \u2014 and the corrosion that occurs when it leaks \u2014 is highly toxic and caustic. Alkaline batteries leak potassium hydroxide, a substance that can cause serious eye damage and respiratory and skin irritation.How do I clean up battery acid leak?
The best way to remove alkaline leakage from the device is to neutralize by carefully dabbing with a few drops of a mild acid like white vinegar or lemon juice. For stubborn leaks, an old toothbrush dipped in vinegar or lemon juice gets the job done.Does baking soda neutralize battery corrosion?
Cleaning Battery Corrosion with Baking Soda and Water Apply baking soda over the entire area that's affected by corrosion. This will neutralize the battery acid. Add a small amount of water to activate the baking soda and cause a chemical reaction which will remove the corrosion.Why is My Cast Iron Sticky? And How to Fix It!
More answers regarding cleaning my cast iron from exploded battery and plastic
Answer 2
I would run it through a long cycle in a self-cleaning oven. This will take it down to the bare metal. (If it doesn't, do it again.). You will, of course, have to completely re-season your pan from scratch.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Erik Mclean, Cedric Fauntleroy, Polina Tankilevitch, Polina Tankilevitch