Just wanted to share a bit about a recently discovered kettle cleaning method. I used to use oven cleaner, but didn't like the cost and fumes. Yesterday, while leaving my parent's house after delivering some parts to my father, I see this at the end of their neighbor's driveway. (Yeah, it's been an incredible month) Anyway, I thought it would be a good opportunity to explain the cleaning method.
Here's the secret.... Laundry Detergent. It works great. Cleaning set up is: Tide, spray bottle, razor black, stainless scrubby, 0000-steel wool.
Standard solution is 1/4 tide, and 3/4 water solution in the squirt bottle. (In this case it's just a bottle that was left over from a previous product.) Spray the inside of the lid or kettle and let sit for about an hour with a quick respray halfway through. Come back in with the razor blade and most of the gunk will be softened enough that it will come off fairly easily. Here is a lid soaking. You may be able to tell, there is a fiberglass wash tub in the background, I usually just lay the lid or bowl in that sink while it's soaking.
Keep in mind this still isn't an easy process, but it's nice because it doesn't make as much of a mess and can be done inside the house. I also like the fact that it's not caustic on the kettle like oven cleaner would be.
She cleaned up nice!