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Cleaning the hob

(22 Posts)
Mamie Sun 22-Sept-13 10:34:41

We have a Lacanche range cooker which has a solid, rectangular, cast-iron centre plate (60cm x 40cm) with a gas burner underneath. Over the years it has got quite stained and OH is looking for ideas to help clean it. He has tried Vim, Barkeeper's Friend (which works best), various spray cleaners and lots of elbow grease. He still can't shift the baked-on grease especially at the corners.
Any ideas?

whenim64 Sun 22-Sept-13 10:37:36

Steam cleaners are supposed to be efficient for this Mamie, or you could bring in a mobile firm that cleans ovens, as they have them. Once done, you'd be able to keep on top of it.

Mamie Sun 22-Sept-13 10:49:27

Oh when, everyone suggested a mobile cleaning firm when I posted about cleaning the oven ages ago (and Lakeland oven cleaner worked.) They don't exist outside the big towns here and people just won't come out to you in rural France.
Am still fuming from last week when I booked and paid on-line for an energy performance survey appointment. I then got an email saying we won't come out to you, ever and we will only send you a refund by cheque; we can't refund your credit card, even though we took the money.
Am in the UK next week so could have a look for steam cleaners.

gracesmum Sun 22-Sept-13 10:56:52

Maybe a new DH grin ? More power to his elbow -hr can practise on my hob anytime

Mamie Sun 22-Sept-13 11:02:39

Gracesmumgrin
He has been cleaning it for three hours this morning! He also cooks lots of the meals, bakes all the bread, does masses of DIY, gardening and building projects. Not sure I want to exchange him really....

Lona Sun 22-Sept-13 11:10:05

Yes, but does he do the important things Mamie? wink

Mamie Sun 22-Sept-13 11:23:17

Oh yes, Lona. He is really, really good at shopping. hmm

janeainsworth Sun 22-Sept-13 11:42:01

Mamie is the thing removable? I'm not very familiar with rural ovenswink
If so soaking in a strong solution of bicarbonate of soda might help.
I recently invested in a large plastic tray from Lakeland, big enough to hold oven shelves - it works very well.

Mamie Sun 22-Sept-13 12:01:15

You could move it, but not very easily.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?client=safari&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=644&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=QM0-UtHSOfOg0wW2l4HIBw&q=lacanche+range+hob&oq=lacanche+range+hob&gs_l=img.12...45906.47004.0.49626.4.4.0.0.0.0.546.546.5-1.1.0....0...1c.1.27.img..4.0.0.HlMe4YhqR3g#biv=i%7C27%3Bd%7Ck8AsDkmrbuiZjM%3A
See above. Must learn to do that one word linky thing.

gracesmum Sun 22-Sept-13 12:17:31

I understand why you might not want to change him Mamie - but maybe you could rent him out?? hmm

Mamie Sun 22-Sept-13 12:31:33

Will do gracesmum. He has still got 200 square metres of lime mortaring to do at the rate of 1 sq m a day, so could be a while.......

Lona Sun 22-Sept-13 13:02:11

Look after him Mamie, he seems to be a gem smile

kittylester Sun 22-Sept-13 14:54:03

I don't think that Oven Pride is suitable. I found that out after I bought some to do my cooker in a failed attempt to save money - again! The man is coming next week!! grin

sunseeker Sun 22-Sept-13 15:05:22

I have a Rayburn and have found that sugar soap works well on the enamel and the hot plate. (You can buy it ready mixed in B&Q). It does take a bit of elbow grease but as your OH is the one doing the cleaning that shouldn't be a bother!

dustyangel Sun 22-Sept-13 20:19:50

I don't know if you can get it in France but we can get an anti fat spray that works on burnt on barbecues and roasting trays.

Ana Sun 22-Sept-13 20:45:54

Life's too short....!

Bez Sun 22-Sept-13 21:01:31

I swap a website for women in France that motorbike engine cleaner is good for cleaning ovens - have no idea how the person discovered this fact but it might help here!

Bez Sun 22-Sept-13 21:24:46

iPad spellings! 'I saw on a website ' it should have been.

annodomini Sun 22-Sept-13 22:07:09

Whatever they use in professional kitchens - my DS when he was a chef referred to something called Grease Cutter. I don't know how you could lay your hands on it.

Elegran Sun 22-Sept-13 22:24:16

I have just Googled grease cutter and there is a product called Greasecutter Plus which sounds like what Anno is talking about.

Elegran Sun 22-Sept-13 22:31:37

Reading more, it is for professional use, and it sounds as though you must wear rubber gloves and long sleeves or it will burn your skin, and it only comes in large containers.

annodomini Sun 22-Sept-13 22:33:25

I had a look at that too, Elegran and thought it would be too risky for non-professional use - and it seems to come from America.