Can I 'oil' my Rayburn hotplate to prevent rusting?

[Tom]

Hi all

I've recently cleaned my Rayburn hotplate (I'm getting giddy now with all the work happening around here!!). However, it's starting to get small surface rust spots developing. Can I put a thin coating of oil on it to prevent the rust and, if so, what oil should I use? I don't want one that's going to smoke like hell or stink when it's finally connected!! Any ideas? Or how about a spray of WD40 - would that be OK? Thanks.

Jaqy

 

[Moo]

I believe one is supposed to 'season' things like woks and iron frying pans with a smear of (presumably cooking) oil before use. Perhaps the same principle would apply to a hotplate.

 

[Nemesis]

As Rayburn state

http://www.chaseheating.co.uk/rayburn.html

that you can cook on the hotplate, then probably any cooking oil would prevent rust and be OK.

Hpw long do you think it might be before it's in use?

 

[biffvernon]

Or how about a spray of WD40 - would that be OK?

Use anything but! Any edible veg oil will do. Yes it will smoke a bit at first but that soon passes and then you can make your chapatis on it.

 

[Tom]

Thanks for the replies

I'm hoping it will be up and running within the next 2-3 weeks!!......and I can't wait!! It's already in its final resting place, waiting to be connected

One of tomorrows tasks will be another light scrub to remove the rust spots and a light coat of olive oil Thanks again

Jaqy

 

[Nemesis]

Well - great news!

I'd use a nylon or stainless pad (or brass brush) not Brillo - which causes rust.

 

[Tom]

Thanks, Nemesis

I've been using a wire brush, as recommended on the Rayburn paperwork I have. It was absolutely filthy (I don't think the previous owner had ever cleaned it!) although I think this thick layer of grease and grime is what's prevented it from rusting before. I wonder if I could apply the same theory to my car?

Jaqy

 

[Nemesis]

Well, in the days of leaky old engines a thick layer of grease and grime saved many a chassis from rusting, but salt laden roads tend to 'do' for bodywork left caked with gunge and mud and muck these days!

Ev

 

[Tom]

Shame...I could do with an excuse to have one less job to do

Jaqy

 

[Nemesis]

I have an excuse - sloth!

 

[worms]

Keep a piece of pumice stone by the Rayburn, rub the hotplate over with it and some cooking oil every so often.

As Biff says, the plate is great for cooking on. Not just chapatis, but omelettes, pancakes, French toast, potato scones etc. Also really good for doing quick steaks - you can get about six going at once as long as you keep shifting them around so that none are down the hot end for too long! Bacon and gammon leave a sticky mess (probably says more about the quality of bacon I buy!) but it soon burns off after you've finished and then you can polish up the surface again with the pumice!

Most chemists do a mouse-shaped piece of pumice quite cheaply but I find it too dense. I have a big rock of pumice that I picked up on a beach somewhere that is much better.

 

[Jocelyn]

Exciting indeed, Rayburn ON. Don't worry about the rust spots, as some have already suggested, use cooking oil and then the permanent heat will
keep away the rust.