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From: nelson@cvl.UUCP (Randal Nelson)
Newsgroups: net.cooks
Subject: Re: Out Damn Spot!
Message-ID: <674@cvl.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Jul-85 15:30:17 EDT
Article-I.D.: cvl.674
Posted: Tue Jul 30 15:30:17 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Aug-85 20:01:47 EDT
References: <5543@tekecs.UUCP> <10031@Glacier.ARPA> <968@yale.ARPA>
Distribution: net
Organization: Computer Vision Lab, U. of Maryland, College Park
Lines: 16

> If you're the kind of person who puts amazingly corrosive stuff into his
> or her pots and pans, we recommend that you use Drano as an alternative
> to straight ammonia; this has actually worked for us on stainless steel
> (you take your chances with other items) ...

Lest anyone should be actually tempted to try this, a word of warning:
Be absolutely certain the pot is not aluminum.  Drano works by combining
a corrosive solution of lye and sodium nitrate with small aluminum chips.
The reaction comsumes the aluminum producing quantities of heat and
hydrogen gas.  A pressure cooker loaded with Drano and aluminum utensiles
would probably explode violently.  Even in the open air the reaction can
be vigorous enough to splash caustic solution all over.  As for the pot...

                                                    Randal Nelson
                                                    nelson@cvl