Cleaning Ali Billy and lid?

[roman-soldier]

Hi guys,

silly question probably, I have been using my billy with my woodgas stove and its caked in thick black carbon on the base, i've managed to clean the sides with a silver scourer but the carbon on the base wont budge without scratching chunks off. I also tried to put the woodgas stove out by putting the billy lid over and that is now brown and black stained.

Its the first time i've used ali as i normally use my non stick mess tins, I see i cant use oven cleaner, has anyone got a magic remedy?

 

[rik_uk3]

Just leave it.

 

[patrols]

Alloy wheel cleaner is good to get difficult stains off, then wash in water and put it in your dishwasher mine came up like new.

 

[roman-soldier]

Rik that is my thinking too, I'm sure once it gets thick enough it will fall off, carbons not killed me yet lol

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[roman-soldier]

Alloy cleaner! See I knew it would be simple! Thanks

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[Expat]

Rik that is my thinking too, I'm sure once it gets thick enough it will fall off, carbons not killed me yet lol

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It will also hold the heat, cutting your fuel usage, though whether it would be all that measurable is another matter.....

 

[dp0001]

I find wire wool great for cleaning aluminium generally

 

[spiritwalker]

see i think the other way around when i see a shiny pot i think god that needs a damn good burning over the fire. The sootier the better i tend to just use a greeny to get the loose bits off then keep it sooty i only wash it enough to stop it transferring to other gear. my swiss volcano stove is practically matt black on the base of the pot.

 

[Big Stu 12]

I tend to leave it if it dont come off with a green scourer, as what the point it will only get black again....one of the problems with fuels like wood is the sap/tar element in them that are not fully burnt, that them makes a nice thick layer.. .

Just another thought you have been using wood pellets on your wood stove, have they had a resin in to help them bind?, and could this then deposit a hard crust......

 

[oldtimer]

Although I'm sure people who advocate keeping the bottom black are right abou retaining heat, I prefer to keep mine clean and shiny to avoid soiling the rest of my kit. The only solution I have found is to clean the pot as soon as possible after use. First, a wipe on the grass to remove the worst and then a rub with the small piece of pan scourer/ sponge I keep for the purpose.

This is for the aluminium Trangia mess tin I almost always use. However, it gets more use over an Esbit stove than a fire as although it may sound heretical, I avoid using fires whenever possible unless I'm somewhere where there are already established fire pits. I've melted aluminium mess tins using then over fires.