How often do you clean your ceramic stones?

M

minimalist

Joined
Jul 3, 2013
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Just curious if there is any consensus? Will you damage the stone if you let it sit dirty for a while or will it be harder to clean?
 
I clean it after each sharpening session. I don't think allowing it to sit dirty will damage the stone. It's just not ready for the next blade sharpening. DM
 
I definitely recommend BKF. Ever since I (finally) took Obsessed with Edges advice I have been more than pleased. Make a paste with water (I use the powder form) then apply with a q-tip. Allow to work for about 30 seconds then rinse with clear water. My ceramics have *never* been happier. :
 
How about stainless steel pan cleaner? I have a powder that I shake onto my ceramic rods and scrub with a nylon scourer. Am I doing any damage? It seems OK.
 
numbersman said:
How about stainless steel pan cleaner? I have a powder that I shake onto my ceramic rods and scrub with a nylon scourer. Am I doing any damage? It seems OK.
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Assuming you're talking about scouring powder like Comet/Ajax, that's fine. I think it might even be recommended by many manufacturers. Per the earlier post from Strig, my favorite method for really getting them almost 'like new' again is the Bar Keeper's Friend powder, used as he described, or it can also be scrubbed on the ceramics using a Scotch-Brite pad (with water). The Q-tip method is what I've liked for removing light rust spotting from blades, in particular, and it also works great for removing rust stains from plates (china/stoneware) left in the sink too long with wet flatware rusting upon them (I stumbled on that by chance, and was astounded at how well it worked on rust stains I thought were there forever ;)).


David
 
I use a Scotch-Brite pad and a cleaner called Barkeeper's Friend to clean them up every couple of sharpenings.
 
Same, any cleaner, Ajax, BKF, Cameo, Comet etc. and Brillo pad.

No chance of damaging the ceramic.
 
Do Ajax & Comet and the others have the oxallic (sp) acid that bkf has? My understanding is that the acid is what does the work eating rust or the steel in swarf (on your stones).

One thing of note... Be careful not to leave it on your steel too long. It actually did some light etching on a friend's rusted (stainless) knife. Not sure what steel that knife was, it was an inexpensive S&W, so I'm sure it was one of the Chinese alpha-numeric soup steels, but it's entirely possible that it might happen on any steel if you're not careful. Incidentally it did remove the rust, actually better than anything I've ever used, and much easier than media blasting. I offered to re-blast the blade to the factory finish but after explaining that the finish (coupled with a mild chiding for lack of care) was probably responsible for the rust in the first place, he decided it was good and was very happy with the results.

For the $2 (actually less) that a big box of that stuff costs, I recommend the trip to Lowes or Walmart to try it. :thumbup:
 
I'm pretty sure Ajax & Comet don't use oxalic acid. I think Comet, at least, might use a chlorine-based cleaning agent (seem to recall I could smell it, last time I'd used it for anything), so it could present other issues if used on or around knife blades (chlorine is also corrosive on steel, but less aggressive than oxalic acid). That aside, with ceramics, they're about as indestructable as can be, save for breakage or cracking/chipping caused by dropping them. Don't know of many, if any cleaning agents that would harm them.

And, absolutely right, care must be taken with the BKF on steel. It can definitely etch any steel (stainless or not), if left in place too long. I think the instructions on the container caution against leaving on any surface longer than maybe a minute or so. They also recommend wetting down the surface with water beforehand, which helps to moderate the aggressiveness of it.

Should've included this in my earlier reply. This is my ascending scale of what to use to clean ceramics, depending how dirty they are:

  • Water & liquid dish detergent (Dawn, Ivory, etc.), after each use, and when they're not very dirty. I've also simply wiped them down with Windex & paper towel.
  • Comet/Ajax & water, if they have a little more embedded swarf, but not necessarily clogged.
  • Bar Keepers Friend & water. This is the 'nuclear option' for cleaning ceramics, so far as I'm concerned. Very, very effective, and does the best job if the ceramic is really clogged with swarf. More & more, I am jumping straight to this option, over the Comet/Ajax, if the first option doesn't quite get them clean. Whatever the case, DON'T EVER mix these two (Comet/Ajax with BKF --> chlorine/ammonia-based cleaners + strong acids don't mix --> BAD THINGS HAPPEN. ;)). Carefully read and heed the warnings on the BKF container.


David
 
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minimalist said:
Wait, what kind of bad things? Glad you said that! My luck and I'd accidentally mix them.
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Depending on which cleaning agent, the danger is either chlorine gas or ammonia gas being released in the reaction with an acid. I'm pretty sure the container warnings on all of them probably warn of the fumes, if used in combination with other cleaners. I think mixing them with vinegar (acidic) is also a no-no. :)


David
 
minimalist said:
Wait, what kind of bad things? Glad you said that! My luck and I'd accidentally mix them.
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Bleach contains chlorine combined with some other element to form a compound. Combining chlorine and ammonia produces several toxic gases and the reaction can be violent. Some people claim it produces mustard gas but that is not so.

I feel like Cliff Clavin when I do this.
 
I've always used hot water and dish soap. Works like a charm for me.
 
sipseyhiker said:
Bleach contains chlorine combined with some other element to form a compound. Combining chlorine and ammonia produces several toxic gases and the reaction can be violent. Some people claim it produces mustard gas but that is not so.

I feel like Cliff Clavin when I do this.
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GOOD TO KNOW!!! lol
 
I read this post, got up and used some Ajax to clean my ceramics, and then came back to post:thumbup: it had been about 5 sharpening and they were clogged up, I was just being lazy. Thanks for the modivation!
 
minimalist said:
Definitely used a sponge that probably had some residual soap from cleaning the dishes earlier. Good to know.
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I think so long as the raw BKF product isn't mixed or used directly with some other concentrated cleaner, you'll likely be OK anyway. I doubt a little soap/detergent residue in a sponge would be an issue (I have an 'all-dirty-jobs' Scotch-Brite pad that I've used similarly; I just rinse it out between uses). This is also a good reason to use a little water with it, whenever or however it gets used. Keeps it somewhat dilute, which slows down any reaction that might take place. Personally, I feel a little better and not so nervous about gettting it on my hands, when used with some water (and I have, with no noticeable issues). But I still usually wear some disposable/rubber gloves anyway. :D

A tip:
When I've used BKF to clean my ceramics, I've always done so over a filled-up sink of water. This way, it only takes a quick dunk in the water to quickly flush most of it off, if you discover you've applied a little too much, or are concerned about it etching steel or doing any other damage. Especially handy if you're shaking the powder from the can; any dusty spill-over just dumps into the water, instead of the countertop or whatever.


David
 
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