Solvent to clean oven pilot

[Donster]

Hi:

I am asking for a recommendation on a solvent to clean out the pilot light unit for my original 1967 Tradewinds Magic Chef oven pilot. I posted this question in the oven section a couple weeks ago but got no response/advice so looking to reach broader group.

I have determined there is a clog in the "always on" pilot of (not the ignition pilot that works great) .

I'm most concerned that I don't damage the ceramic component. I was thinking of using Berryman Chem-Dip carburetor cleaner but can't find info on how it will affect the ceramic. I know it should clean out the clog in the small pilot holes because it does a great job with carbs.

I appreciate your wisdom and suggestions!

[crisen]

If you think the clog is carbon, you might try Simple Green. It is mild alkaline at ph9 and is what is supplied to clean carbon in egr cleaning kits on Cummins diesels. If any parts are aluminum it will lightly oxidize the surface if soaked too long. I really don't know about the ceramic.

[PaulnGina]

Simple Green is a good idea. Can't imagine it hurting the ceramic.

[Donster]

After closer scrutiny and some rubbing with a rag I got a part number and the piece I thought was ceramic is metal so I put everything in the chem bath and will check it in a hour or so

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Donster

After closer scrutiny and some rubbing with a rag I got a part number and the piece I thought was ceramic is metal so I put everything in the chem bath and will check it in a hour or so

Two things work great, to clean any orifice.

Lime away or an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Lime away takes over night and the jewelry cleaner takes but a few minutes.

Andy

[msmcv51]

At the natural gas company I am retired from , they always said to use a wooden match stick to clean an orifice as to not enlarge the hole.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by msmcv51

At the natural gas company I am retired from , they always said to use a wooden match stick to clean an orifice as to not enlarge the hole.

That was in the good old days.

There are much better things to use today.

Andy

[vinstream]

Best thing to use is HEAT as in take a torch and burn the carbon away... The ceramic is intended to get hot and burn the carbon away in use, but when it does not get hot enough from on and off use it builds up with carbon and needs to be extra heated. DO NOT try to place any thing into the hole, this will jam the carbon up or could crack the ceramic due to it brittle nature.