Metal in cooker

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

I’m about to sling out an old cooker. But before I do, I’m going to strip it of anything useful. Heres the question…

 

Are the grill parts and oven shelf parts stainless steel? Ore is there some other heat resistant form of steel. Cos if they are stainless then I am about to recieve a good supply

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

[David LittlewoodParticipant @davidlittlewood51847]

You could try testing them with a magnet. There are some varieties of stainless steel which are ferromagnetic (so-called ferritic alloys) but most you would find in a domestic situation are likely to be non-magnetic. This doesn’t prove that they are stainless steel, but it is unlikely that they would be made of non-ferrous material.

 

David

Edited By David Littlewood on 01/12/2011 19:36:04

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

If they are shiny, tehy are probably chrome plate.

 

If they are dull, then probably stainless.

 

Neil

[WolfieParticipant @wolfie]

Shiny after over 10 years use so chrome plated what?

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Posted by Wolfie on 01/12/2011 23:29:01:
Shiny after over 10 years use so chrome plated what?

Hi Wolfie,

 

It will be mild steel, all steel is ‘heat resistant’ at the temperatures likely to be met in a domestic oven, they only get up to around 300 degrees whereas steel gets red hot at around 800+ and melts around 1200+.

 

Another test for stainless is easy. Cut a bit from your shelves, file it down roughly about half thickness and leave it in the garden or on an outside windowsill. If it rusts it’s not stainless. Simples!

 

Regards,

 

Terry

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

In NZ a lot of the older stoves had aluminium trays, ex Kittyhawks, Hudsons, Corsairs, etc.,etc. As were the pots and pans up until the 60s. If the stove is old enough it may have cast iron hot plates, that could be useful. The sheet metal, unless its hot enamaled should be useful. I used the 11″ long cast iron legs on one of my hot air engines. Ian S C

[TerrydParticipant @terryd72465]

Posted by David Littlewood on 01/12/2011 19:35:38:

You could try testing them with a magnet. There are some varieties of stainless steel which are ferromagnetic (so-called ferritic alloys) but most you would find in a domestic situation are likely to be non-magnetic. ……………………………..

 

David

Edited By David Littlewood on 01/12/2011 19:36:04

Hi David,

 

I just tried my stainless pots and pans, and as you say it is non magnetic but my cutlery all magnetic stainless and strangely (to me) so are all of my wastebins!

 

Regards

 

Terry

[Philip RoweParticipant @philiprowe13116]

Another test for stainless steel told to me by a retired toolmaker is to coat it with copper sulphate solution (sometimes used as a marking out fluid). If the solution sticks on after drying the material is not stainless.

I hasten to add that I have not personally tried this test, but offer it up for discussion and possibly ridicule.

 

Regards,

 

Phil

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Just save all you can, or you have room for, whatever the metal. It will all have a use oneday. eg. Drip tray, splash back, base for machine on soft floor, sliding heavy stuff about, fire box for hot air engine, door for hen hut etc.

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