thread: Help! Melted plastic in my brand-new oven :(

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Taking a ride on my grdonkey :D
    2,716

    Angry Help! Melted plastic in my brand-new oven :(

    So, note to self: check oven every time you go to turn it on, to make sure DD1 hasn't stashed something in there!

    Just had a major panic after opening my pre-heated oven to put some food in, and being greeted by a billowing cloud of filthy-smelling smoke... 'Quick, get the baby outside! No, leave DD1 in here, I hope she bleeding chokes on it!'
    Bear in mind that this oven was purchased JUST before Christmas. It's brand-new :'( Please tell me I can fix this!

    I don't recognise the object it once was, although I suspect it may have been a sippy cup without a lid - it's white/clear plastic, melted into a couple of big chunks and some strings. I chucked a fan in front of it to help diffuse the heat and solidify the liquid plastic, but now I can see a HUGE puddle of it congealing in the bottom of the oven.
    The stuff on the racks is just peeling off, thank goodness, so no problems there. I assume the puddle bit will just lift straight off, too - my question is how to I clean it/get rid of any toxic residue so we don't get any more fumes?

    TIA for any help, ladies - I just can't afford another $1000 on an oven right now!

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    Atop the lookout...
    2,777

    I just googled and found a wiki...

    The best methods for removing melted plastic from ovens are all mechanical (not chemical). No solvents or burning of the plastic off the surfaces, but scraping them off with a sharp blade. A razor blade scraper held at a low angle is exceptionally good at getting the plastic off. Additionally, fine steel wool that is dry will finish the job nicely. The only problem areas are the electric elements, and they can be treated with a wire brush following the scraping or "cutting off" of the plastic. You might have to "burn off" the last little bit that remains on an element, but be careful with this as the smoke is toxic. The racks and walls of the oven should respond well to a sharp edge and the steel wool, coupled to some elbow grease, of course. Work patiently and carefully and all should come out well.

    If it is on a toaster oven you can get it off using a flat stanley razor blade. Hope it works!
    Thought I'd save you some time looking. Good luck.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    brisbane
    3,975

    Oh no....DS1 does this all the time we have found delightful things in there...food, toys even some random sealed breats pads noice lol!

    Hope you can fix it hun xx

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    brisbane
    3,975

    Double post!