# So, how do I get hardened chocolate off every bowl I own? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 15, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808 "2008-02-15T22:06:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/1 "2008-02-15T22:06:10Z")
I spent days in a truffle-making frenzy, and when I was done, my hot water heater had gone bad. So I’ve had hardened-on chocolate soaking in the sink. Evidently it doesn’t care that it’s been soaking in the sink. What’s the best way to get a metric ass-ton of bowls clean that are covered in chocolate? Do I have to heat it up to melt it and try again? ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/2 "2008-02-15T22:12:53Z")
Soak it in hot water! 😃 (sorry, I couldn’t resist) ---
**Author:** ![Wrylie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wrylie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrylie)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/3 "2008-02-15T22:21:54Z")
Chocolate dissolves in oil. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/4 "2008-02-15T22:22:41Z")
Let the neighborhood kids lick them clean. Hot water is all that ever worked for me. You could microwave the stuff if there is no metal. ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/5 "2008-02-15T22:25:00Z")
Hot water is the best way. Can you heat up water on the stove and then use that for cleaning? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2008, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/6 "2008-02-15T22:36:24Z")
How did the truffles turn out? ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_O\_Genic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/7 "2008-02-16T00:30:26Z")
Assuming your chocolate has some sugar,an old brewer’s trick.Make a paste of yeast and water,apply and let sit.You want to know how long,don’t you.Try a half hour. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/8 "2008-02-16T00:39:21Z")
Take off and nuke the kitchen from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure. Or, yeah, _hot_ water. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/9 "2008-02-16T01:39:37Z")
Dawn, which has an anti-grease component, might help. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/10 "2008-02-16T01:49:36Z")
[QUOTE=Wrylie] Chocolate dissolves in oil. [/QUOTE] Use #1002 for WD-40 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/11 "2008-02-16T01:54:44Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] Dawn, which has an anti-grease component, might help. [/QUOTE] And other dish detergents don’t? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/12 "2008-02-16T05:34:02Z")
Just a thought: can you stick the bowls in the freezer and chip off the frozen chocolate? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/13 "2008-02-16T06:47:05Z")
[QUOTE=Q.E.D.] And other dish detergents don’t? :dubious: [/QUOTE] Not so much. It’s used to de-oil birds after spills. ---
**Author:** ![brownsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ad7895/32.png) [@brownsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownsfan)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/14 "2008-02-16T07:50:14Z")
i’ve been looking for a place to insert this hijack, and I think I’ve found it. We used to have huge ugly yellow stains due to hard water all over our sinks, showers, toilets, what have you. Dollar General’s toilet bowl cleaner clears this orange stain without any scrubbing. We have a well, and I’m assuming very hard water, since we always have stains in the toilet. Well, no more. Seriously, it’s a miracle product. I’ve scrubbed my ass off with Ironout (too lazy to look up the correct spelling). Iron Out, or whatever, is crap. ---
**Author:** ![jacquilynne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@jacquilynne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacquilynne)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/15 "2008-02-16T08:32:54Z")
Put some hot water in a pot and the pot on the stove. Throw the bowls on top as in a double boiler arrangement and melt the chocolate, then wash it off with a cloth and soap and cold water. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/16 "2008-02-16T11:28:32Z")
Maybe you could try some [benzoyl preoxide?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=455686) [QUOTE=DrDeth] Not so much. It’s used to de-oil birds after spills. [/QUOTE] Soap is, by definition, a degreaser. Pretty much all detergents have a surfactant (anti-grease component) in them. I wouldn’t doubt if Dawn donated all the soap needed to de-oil birds after spills so that people would claim it had a special anti-grease component. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/17 "2008-02-16T19:07:45Z")
[QUOTE=Santo Rugger] Soap is, by definition, a degreaser. Pretty much all detergents have a surfactant (anti-grease component) in them. I wouldn’t doubt if Dawn donated all the soap needed to de-oil birds after spills so that people would claim it had a special anti-grease component. [/QUOTE] It is widely used and by name: [http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=9006678&q=dawn+detergent+oil&uid=792180954&setcookie=yes](http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=9006678&q=dawn+detergent+oil&uid=792180954&setcookie=yes) . _So far, the most effective method of cleaning sea otters of oil pollution is to use ’ Dawn ’ dishwashing detergent._ [http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=8907943&q=dawn+detergent+oil&uid=792180954&setcookie=yes](http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=8907943&q=dawn+detergent+oil&uid=792180954&setcookie=yes) \*Using Dawn detergent, we were able to clean the oiled fur during 40 min of washing and rinsing. \* [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1992.tb00120.x](http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1992.tb00120.x) . _Two pieces were left in a natural state; two pieces were washed with “Dawn” dishwashing detergent;_ And finally: [http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=8907942&q=dawn+detergent+oil&uid=792180954&setcookie=yes](http://md1.csa.com/partners/viewrecord.php?requester=gs&collection=ENV&recid=8907942&q=dawn+detergent+oil&uid=792180954&setcookie=yes) \*The contamination of sea otter (Enhydra lutris) fur with crude oil or dispersants reduces its insulation and could subject the animal to hypothermia. Four detergents and two pretreatments were tested on sea otter pelts soiled with fresh crude, 5-day weathered crude, and an oil-dispersant (COREXIT 9527) solution. To examine the effects of oiling and cleaning on the thermal properties of fur, the thermal conductance of untreated, oiled, and cleaned pelt samples was determined with a heat-flow transducer. Changes in lipid concentration in the fur resulting from contamination and cleaning were also assessed. **The results demonstrated that Dawn dishwashing detergent was the most effective agent in removing crude oil from sea otter fur.** This detergent removed similar amounts of oil with 15 or 40 C rinse water, and was less effective when used in conjunction with mineral oil or soap pretreatments. \* Hey **Colibri** , you work with birds, what have you heard? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/18 "2008-02-16T21:22:16Z")
[Consumer Reports](http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/cleaning-supplies/dishwasher-detergents/dishwashing-detergents-1-08/ratings/dish-detergents-rate.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=2&searchTerm=dawn) says that Dawn, Palmolive, and Ajax all work about the same (in head-to-head liquids). Dawn, like other dish liquids, has “proprietary” ingredients that they refuse to divulge, said proprietary ingredients claiming to make their dish liquid work better than others at “getting grease out of your way”, to quote one advertising campaign. It’s possible that one or more of Dawn’s proprietary ingredients (probably a surfactant) really does make it more effective at one specific cleaning task, that of removing heavy oil from an animal’s wet fur. But that doesn’t necessarily follow that it would be better at removing hardened chocolate from kitchenware. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/19 "2008-02-17T09:07:38Z")
[QUOTE=Duck Duck Goose] But that doesn’t necessarily follow that it would be better at removing hardened chocolate from kitchenware. [/QUOTE] That’s true. 🙂 But it’s worth a try. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808/20 "2008-02-17T12:44:29Z")
Toss them in the dishwasher and use the heavy duty hot cycle. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-do-i-get-hardened-chocolate-off-every-bowl-i-own/437808.md?page=2)