Scale on syrup pan dividers

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Just curious what others were doing to get the scale off of the dividers in the syrup pan?? I don't have a problem with getting bottom of pan clean but the scale builds up bad on the dividers.

[SeanD]

I have the exact problem. The bottom is beautifully clean and the sides still have scale. I've tried long heated soaks with pan acid cleaner and also vinegar. No luck.

Sean

[RC Maple]

I never could get my pan completely free of scale last year - bottom is fine but some scale on the sides - mostly right near the draw off. I tried soaking in vinegar and scrubbing with scotch brite and then steel wool, bar keepers friend and scrubbing, and then muriatic acid and scrubbing. I couldn't budge it with any of that. That really bugged me since everything has to be just right when I am done. I finally decided I couldn't do any more and there is still a small amount of scale there. I didn't heat anything though and that's the only thing that I can think of I didn't do. I have a heavier gage stainless pan with a mill finish and still try to keep the scratches as minimal and polished out as I can. I can imagine if I had a stainless pan with a mirror finish that I would have been more frantic. I would like to know too how to get rid of what's left of the scale.

[SeanD]

I'm amazed the muriatic acid did not work. I consider that the nuclear option and decided to live with the scale. I once used muriatic on steam pans I had down in a block arch. It lifted the scorches right off, but it was very dangerous. I got one whiff of it and it got my head spinning. I'd rather not have to use it again. Thanks for sharing the results.

Sean

[RC Maple]

You sure don't want to hang your head over the pan while the acid is in there. I really thought that out of all those attempts at least one would get that scale off the sides but there is still some there. I am not wanting to grind it off but if I had a high $ pan I may go to more lengths to get it clean. Hoping there is a better way to go and I just haven't heard it yet.

[morningstarfarm]

Look into your local sand blasting guy...ask if he does soda blasting where they used baking soda to blast it off...