Removing non-stick coating to salvage a pan?

[Doc]

I've got this wok from WalMart that's coated with Xylan, which I
gather is a first cousin of Teflon. Big mistake. It's non-stick
properties aren't very good.

I don't like the idea of simply throwing it out and dumping more money
into a non-coated wok. I'm sure I could strip the coating off with one
of these fibrous abrasive wheels that you bolt onto a hand drill -
wearing a dust mask of course - but is the surface that's exposed
going to be suitable for cooking? Wondering if there's some pre-
treating that's done to the metal that might render it toxic if used
as a cooking surface.

Further, should it be possible to thoroughly remove all the coating
abrasively like that? Obviously I don't want to leave behind small
particles since I assume it's toxic.


Thanks

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

I've got this wok from WalMart that's coated with Xylan, which I
gather is a first cousin of Teflon. Big mistake. It's non-stick
properties aren't very good.

I don't like the idea of simply throwing it out and dumping more money
into a non-coated wok. I'm sure I could strip the coating off with one
of these fibrous abrasive wheels that you bolt onto a hand drill -
wearing a dust mask of course - but is the surface that's exposed
going to be suitable for cooking? Wondering if there's some pre-
treating that's done to the metal that might render it toxic if used
as a cooking surface.

Further, should it be possible to thoroughly remove all the coating
abrasively like that? Obviously I don't want to leave behind small
particles since I assume it's toxic.


Thanks

Drill drainage holes in the bottom and make it into a planter for small
cactus. Buy a new one. Seriously. Make sure the next wok is plain metal.
Non-stick pans shouldn't be used at the high heat levels typical of wok
cooking. I don't care what the manufacturers say.

 

[Robert Allison]

I've got this wok from WalMart that's coated with Xylan, which I
gather is a first cousin of Teflon. Big mistake. It's non-stick
properties aren't very good.

I don't like the idea of simply throwing it out and dumping more money
into a non-coated wok. I'm sure I could strip the coating off with one
of these fibrous abrasive wheels that you bolt onto a hand drill -
wearing a dust mask of course - but is the surface that's exposed
going to be suitable for cooking? Wondering if there's some pre-
treating that's done to the metal that might render it toxic if used
as a cooking surface.

Further, should it be possible to thoroughly remove all the coating
abrasively like that? Obviously I don't want to leave behind small
particles since I assume it's toxic.


Thanks

It wasn't from walmart, but I did exactly this to a large wok
that I just didn't want to throw away. I used a wire wheel on a
side grinder to remove the teflon, then sanded it lightly with
emory cloth to remove the rest and smooth everything out. I have
been using it for about 5 years like that.

The problem is that the metal is very prone to rusting, so I have
to oil it after every cleaning, and temper it like a cast iron
pan. Since I mostly use it on a fish fryer grill (although I
will use it on the stove), it has held up pretty well. It ain't
pretty by any means, but useful.

 

[cybercat]

I've got this wok from WalMart that's coated with Xylan, which I
gather is a first cousin of Teflon. Big mistake. It's non-stick
properties aren't very good.

I don't like the idea of simply throwing it out and dumping more money
into a non-coated wok. I'm sure I could strip the coating off with one
of these fibrous abrasive wheels that you bolt onto a hand drill -
wearing a dust mask of course - but is the surface that's exposed
going to be suitable for cooking?

It's going to be aluminum.

 

[Doc]

It's going to be aluminum.

It's steel. Magnet test. This thing is fairly hefty, which is why I
hate just tossing it.

 

[zxcvbob]

Sand blasting would remove the coating pretty easily, and the rough
surface should smooth out and "season" fairly quickly with use;
especially if you use steel utensils.

Bob

 

[Oren]

I've got this wok from WalMart that's coated with Xylan, which I
gather is a first cousin of Teflon. Big mistake. It's non-stick
properties aren't very good.

I don't like the idea of simply throwing it out and dumping more money
into a non-coated wok. I'm sure I could strip the coating off with one
of these fibrous abrasive wheels that you bolt onto a hand drill -
wearing a dust mask of course - but is the surface that's exposed
going to be suitable for cooking? Wondering if there's some pre-
treating that's done to the metal that might render it toxic if used
as a cooking surface.

Further, should it be possible to thoroughly remove all the coating
abrasively like that? Obviously I don't want to leave behind small
particles since I assume it's toxic.


Thanks

I found out how to remove "Teflon". Simmer tomato sauce for a couple
of days. When you toss the sauce out the Teflon goes with it )

The acid destroyed the Teflon.

 

[Charles van Blommestein]

I've got this wok from WalMart that's coated with Xylan, which I
gather is a first cousin of Teflon.  Big mistake. It's non-stick
properties aren't very good.

I don't like the idea of simply throwing it out and dumping more money
into a non-coated wok. I'm sure I could strip the coating off with one
of these fibrous abrasive wheels that you bolt onto a hand drill -
wearing a dust mask of course - but is the surface that's exposed
going to be suitable for cooking? Wondering if there's some pre-
treating that's done to the metal that might render it toxic if used
as a cooking surface.

Further, should it be possible to thoroughly remove all the coating
abrasively like that? Obviously I don't want to leave behind small
particles since I assume it's toxic.

Thanks

I have a few similarly well worn pans in my kichen cubbard.
With the "more recent" (w.i. the past 20-30 years) years of cookware,
the metal base is very likely ALUMINUM, which when heated is very
toxic.
What I did and recommend is to simply continue cooking with the Xylan
surface by using THICK COATS of the non-stick spray-on cooking oils or
simply let the 4-leg use this worn pan as a drinking bowl.

 

[DerbyDad03]

I have a few similarly well worn pans in my kichen cubbard.
With the "more recent" (w.i. the past 20-30 years) years of cookware,
the metal base is very likely ALUMINUM, which when heated is very
toxic.
What I did and recommend is to simply continue cooking with the Xylan
surface by using THICK COATS of the non-stick spray-on cooking oils or
simply let the 4-leg use this worn pan as a drinking bowl.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

re: let the 4-leg use this worn pan as a drinking bowl

SWMBO would kill me - not because I let the dog drink out of a pan,
but because I tried to give her dog cancer.

She's convinced that any and all non-stick surface coatings are toxic.

 

[John Weiss]

I've got this wok from WalMart that's coated with Xylan, which I
gather is a first cousin of Teflon. Big mistake. It's non-stick
properties aren't very good.

I don't like the idea of simply throwing it out and dumping more money
into a non-coated wok.

Why bother removing it? Just use it with a little oil!

 

[Oren]

re: let the 4-leg use this worn pan as a drinking bowl

SWMBO would kill me - not because I let the dog drink out of a pan,
but because I tried to give her dog cancer.

She's convinced that any and all non-stick surface coatings are toxic.

Listen to her

(ever buy a pet bowl with Teflon?)

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Listen to her

(ever buy a pet bowl with Teflon?)

Even better: In some Chinese restaurants, you can see the kitchen. Ever
seen a non-stick wok in a place like that?

Of course not.

 

[DerbyDad03]

Even better:  In some Chinese restaurants, you can see the kitchen. Ever
seen a non-stick wok in a place like that?

Of course not.

re: Even better: In some Chinese restaurants, you can see the
kitchen. Ever seen a non-stick wok in a place like that?


Even better: Ever seen a 4 legged creature in a place like that? Of
course not - not alive anyway..

 

[PaPaPeng]

Even better: In some Chinese restaurants, you can see the kitchen. Ever
seen a non-stick wok in a place like that?

Of course not.

A polymer coating would never survive the frequent stabbling with a
wok spatula that goes with Chinese cooking.

I am amazed so many white folks use the wok. I'd use one too except I
have an electric range. It uses up too much power to get the wok to
temperature and that heat is concentrated on the bottom only.

Only a gas range or open fire does a wok justice. Use an uncoated
heavy iron or steel wok. It holds and distributes the heat to provide
a better heat gradient from the center to the rim, sort of like why
people prefer to use a cast iron skillet to bring out the best
flavoring and texture. To clean empty the wok and add a cup of water
to heat over the range. Swirl the boiling water to dissolve the
residual food. Chinese restaurants use a stiff bamboo whisk to
unstick food morsels. Its unlikely you can use a whisk in a home as
the whisk will flick dirty water outside the sink. A few quick
swipes with a souring pad should suffice. Repeat. Rinse each time.
Wipe with a paper towel and "burn" off the remaining rinse water
adhering to the wok over the range. In an iron wok the residual heat
is often enough to vaporize that dampness.

 

[aem]

[snip]
I don't like the idea of simply throwing it out and dumping more money
into a non-coated wok. [snip]

Use the former wok for some non-food-related purpose. Here's a wok
that will perform well for years, at a cost of $11.50.
https://www.surfasonline.com/products/18121.cfm

 

[Oren]

I am amazed so many white folks use the wok.

Some even speak three languages: English, Redneck and Profanity.

So! WOK off!

 

[JoeSpareBedroom]

Okay, I'll play. WHY are you washing the thing in the first place?

Are you asking about washing, or cleaning?

 

[PaPaPeng]

Some even speak three languages: English, Redneck and Profanity.

So! WOK off!

Spoken like a true abused kitchen slave. Wife trouble?

 

[Phisherman]

I've got this wok from WalMart that's coated with Xylan, which I
gather is a first cousin of Teflon. Big mistake. It's non-stick
properties aren't very good.

I don't like the idea of simply throwing it out and dumping more money
into a non-coated wok. I'm sure I could strip the coating off with one
of these fibrous abrasive wheels that you bolt onto a hand drill -
wearing a dust mask of course - but is the surface that's exposed
going to be suitable for cooking? Wondering if there's some pre-
treating that's done to the metal that might render it toxic if used
as a cooking surface.

Further, should it be possible to thoroughly remove all the coating
abrasively like that? Obviously I don't want to leave behind small
particles since I assume it's toxic.


Thanks

Sell it, give it away, etc. Get yourself a nice heavy wok with sturdy
handles. You'll find better quality at a kitchen or specialty store,
and it will be the last wok you buy. Always prep a wok with a
high-temperature cooking oil before adding the food. Peanut oil is a
good choice. Woks work better with natural gas stoves.

 

[Oren]

Spoken like a true abused kitchen slave. Wife trouble?

Not when I cook in the yard, declare my turf and so. I'm going to
China town in Las Vegas and get me a wok. Might have the bride drive
me.

Nice try!