Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
I've searched the 'net, and can't believe I can't find the answer to this
one. I'm sure this group can come up trumps. I have a Dualit toaster, that is no longer toasting evenly. The elements are covered with transparent panels, as clear as glass, but look like they could be mica (the edges are slightly flaky). The mica panels are covered in white, crusty spots (probably cheese and butter splashes). So - what can I use to clean these deposits? The panels are very clear, and I don't want to use anything that will abrade the surfaces. A dry toothbrush alone does not get the deposits off, and I am a bit wary of using water or soap. Any suggestions? -- JJ |
#2
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
"Blueyonder" wrote in message o.uk... I've searched the 'net, and can't believe I can't find the answer to this one. I'm sure this group can come up trumps. I have a Dualit toaster, that is no longer toasting evenly. The elements are covered with transparent panels, as clear as glass, but look like they could be mica (the edges are slightly flaky). The mica panels are covered in white, crusty spots (probably cheese and butter splashes). So - what can I use to clean these deposits? The panels are very clear, and I don't want to use anything that will abrade the surfaces. A dry toothbrush alone does not get the deposits off, and I am a bit wary of using water or soap. Any suggestions? I'd like to know that too! Also, what gauge of wire to use to replace the elements. Mary -- JJ |
#3
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
In article ,
"Mary Fisher" writes: Also, what gauge of wire to use to replace the elements. It's nickel-chromium wire, and the guage of wire will depend on the model. Often it's in a ribbon profile. I have repaired them sometimes by crimping broken ends together, but you have to be very careful a loose end isn't going to be able to touch something it shouldn't. A bootlace ferrule is the right thing to crimp with, but a folded over steel washer lasted about 20 years before it needed replacing in a 50 year old Russell Hobs toaster. Nearly all breakages of toaster wires I've come across have been due to poking cutlery into the toaster, never to the wire burning out. I've seen a small number of cases where the failure was due to a bad connection at one end of the wire too. -- Andrew Gabriel |
#4
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
"Mary Fisher" wrote in message t... "Blueyonder" wrote in message o.uk... I've searched the 'net, and can't believe I can't find the answer to this one. I'm sure this group can come up trumps. I have a Dualit toaster, that is no longer toasting evenly. The elements are covered with transparent panels, as clear as glass, but look like they could be mica (the edges are slightly flaky). The mica panels are covered in white, crusty spots (probably cheese and butter splashes). So - what can I use to clean these deposits? The panels are very clear, and I don't want to use anything that will abrade the surfaces. A dry toothbrush alone does not get the deposits off, and I am a bit wary of using water or soap. Any suggestions? I'd like to know that too! Also, what gauge of wire to use to replace the elements. It is definately mica. It covers the elements in approx 8cm square pieces, rivetted on, each piece slightly overlapping. I wouldn't like to guess at the element wires themselves though. As well as the guage, there is the material to take account of - it won't be plain copper for sure. -- JJ |
#5
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
Mary Fisher wrote:
"Blueyonder" wrote in message o.uk... I've searched the 'net, and can't believe I can't find the answer to this one. I'm sure this group can come up trumps. I have a Dualit toaster, that is no longer toasting evenly. The elements are covered with transparent panels, as clear as glass, but look like they could be mica (the edges are slightly flaky). The mica panels are covered in white, crusty spots (probably cheese and butter splashes). So - what can I use to clean these deposits? The panels are very clear, and I don't want to use anything that will abrade the surfaces. A dry toothbrush alone does not get the deposits off, and I am a bit wary of using water or soap. Any suggestions? I'd like to know that too! Also, what gauge of wire to use to replace the elements. Mary The only effective way to clean the mica is to wet wash them. Its not usually needed though. Mica should be treated as semi fragile. For the sake of anyone thinking of self darwinating, yes you need to give it a full week to dry out properly afterwards. Element wire is easier to rejoin than replace, but the join is always at risk of oxidising and refrying. NT |
#6
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
|
#7
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
Blueyonder wrote:
Any suggestions? -- JJ Buy a new toaster. -- Dave The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk 01634 717930 07850 597257 |
#8
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
"Mary Fisher" wrote in message t... "Blueyonder" wrote in message o.uk... I've searched the 'net, and can't believe I can't find the answer to this one. I'm sure this group can come up trumps. I have a Dualit toaster, that is no longer toasting evenly. The elements are covered with transparent panels, as clear as glass, but look like they could be mica (the edges are slightly flaky). The mica panels are covered in white, crusty spots (probably cheese and butter splashes). So - what can I use to clean these deposits? The panels are very clear, and I don't want to use anything that will abrade the surfaces. A dry toothbrush alone does not get the deposits off, and I am a bit wary of using water or soap. Any suggestions? I'd like to know that too! Also, what gauge of wire to use to replace the elements. Mary I had to replace an element in one of these when a currant from a teacake carbonised and shorted the thing out. http://www.chromekitchen.co.uk sell replacement elements, they're quite fast at delivering them too. The new mica elements can also replace the older style ones. HTH -- Sewer Rat "We're all in it together, kid" - Archibald "Harry" Tuttle |
#9
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
In article ,
Andy Dingley writes: On 31 Mar 2006 21:17:20 GMT, (Andrew Gabriel) wrote: It's nickel-chromium wire, and the guage of wire will depend on the model. Often it's in a ribbon profile. There's some complex reason for the use of ribbon that I can't remember. Anyone ? Reasons that spring to mind would be to provide some direction to the radiated heat and it allows you to adjust the surface area to cross-sectional area so you can adjust the operating temperature without relying solely on the length and cross- sectional area to get the right resistance. A bootlace ferrule is the right thing to crimp with, Agreed. It need to be long and give good contact over a decent area. If it's only small then you get a hot spot and the joint fails again in no time. I usually unthread a bit of the element to get an overlap at the repair site, scrape the oxide off, and then crimp. You have to make sure the ferrule can't vibrate or sag when the element expands such that it might touch anything. It's best to fit it as near as possible to a point where the element wire is supported. If the fault was caused by cutlery being inserted (in some cases, I have found half a canteen of cutlery still inside the toaster), I generally won't repair it until it's covered by RCD protection. -- Andrew Gabriel |
#10
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
On Sat, 1 Apr 2006 13:26:49 UTC, "The Medway Handyman"
wrote: Blueyonder wrote: Any suggestions? Buy a new toaster. It's a Dualit - that's 135 quid if it's the 4 gang version. New elements from Dualit are cheaper though... -- The information contained in this post is copyright the poster, and specifically may not be published in, or used by Avenue Supplies, http://avenuesupplies.co.uk |
#11
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message . uk... Blueyonder wrote: Any suggestions? -- JJ Buy a new toaster. Do you buy a new car when your ashtray is full? -- JJ |
#12
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
Cleaning mica panels in a toaster
wrote in message oups.com... I have a Dualit toaster, that is no longer toasting evenly. The elements are covered with transparent panels, as clear as glass, but look like they could be mica (the edges are slightly flaky). The mica panels are covered in white, crusty spots (probably cheese and butter splashes). So - what can I use to clean these deposits? The panels are very clear, and I don't want to use anything that will abrade the surfaces. A dry toothbrush alone does not get the deposits off, and I am a bit wary of using water or soap. Any suggestions? I'd like to know that too! Also, what gauge of wire to use to replace the elements. Mary The only effective way to clean the mica is to wet wash them. Its not usually needed though. Mica should be treated as semi fragile. For the sake of anyone thinking of self darwinating, yes you need to give it a full week to dry out properly afterwards. Very mild soap and water seemed to work okay. I used a small bit of cloth wrapped around a stick to get right inside, and it removed a lot of dirt (very slow though). The mica looks as good as new now, but I'm going to let it dry for a few days before plugging it in. -- JJ |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
YQ-95 II Saws type cement concrete road surface crack cleaning machine | Home Repair | |||
"Draft Carpet Cleaning FAQ for comments" | UK diy | |||
Carpet Cleaning FAQ | UK diy | |||
Detergents and cleaners FAQ | UK diy | |||
Any Ideas How To Replace Rotted Wood Panels On French Doors? | Home Repair |