Well, I decided to undertake a general cleaning of some of my more
forgotten Yixing. Since moving, about two years ago, a number of my
teapots found a new home on a shelf in the kitchen near the stove. I
have been working on either building or buying a storage/display case
for all of my teapots but it finds its way to the lower priority list
every time... So anyhow, I can see a slight coating of most likely
grease and dust from cooking and sitting in the open. It is just on
the tops/lids and not terrible or pronounced.

I have used baking soda and a toothbrush before to do some minor spot
cleaning, but I'm not sure what my best plan of attack is on these. I
want to fully clean them both inside and out. I know of people using
vinegar, but I have never done it. I figure some gentle cleaning with
something that cuts grease/oil on the outside and a basic baking soda
cleaning all over, and then boil them as if seasoning a new pot.

My question is what to use for the grease/oil cutting, and if anyone
has any tricks or suggestions that I am unaware of. They have just
been soaking in hot water for a couple hours so far, and I tried a
gentle wiping with a towel but it isn't doing it.

Dominic T. wrote:

Here are three possible approaches: dissolution, emulsification,
destruction.

Actual solution of the gunk is possible, though that kind of stuff
sometimes polymerizes into an insoluble gum. Boiling in white vinegar
*might* work. "Real" organic solvents, unless you have access to reagent
grade chemicals, almost always contain traces of heavier molecules that
will persist for a long time and smell awful. A rare exception is MEK,
which is available at the usual hardware stores, is essentially
non-toxic and lower in odor than many organics, and dissolves almost
anything.

Emulsification requires an emulsifier, like soap or lecithin. They all
taste, AFAIK.

On Jan 21, 7:35 am, DogMa worldnet.att.net> wrote:

Yeah - pays the bills, and is even fun sometimes.

I shouldn't admit it in public, but that kind of residue really grosses
me out. Don't know why; I've handled so many more intractable, toxic and
nasty-looking messes professionally. Guess it's different when it's
food-ware. I've certainly learned the hard way to keep anything like
Yixing pots away from the stove, sink, and large concentrations of
plasticized PVC (like some bags and even cookware). It seems that just a
bit of oils and phthalates can cement together an astonishing amount of
dust, spiderwebs, insect droppings, whatever, into something horrible.

On 19 Jan, 21:48, "Dominic T." gmail.com> wrote:

Successful degreasing needs a good organic solvent. I've not tried
this on hallowed tea pots but it works on other delicate items. Vodka
- as strong as you can find - with a couple of drops of industrial
detergent per 100ml. Over here we still can get a perfume free
industrial detergent named 'Teepol' - it leaves no aroma or residue
and gives the vodka a cutting edge. Don't smoke while using this
mixture!!

Nigel at Teacraft

On Jan 19, 4:48 pm, "Dominic T." gmail.com> wrote: