Ash from charcoeal as pots and pans cleaner?

Question

I find this very intriguing. I wonder if this is true?

I know this is a hard one, i guess, because it is a primitive way of cleaning the bottoms of pots and pans., according to my mom...

This is done in provinces in the Philippines, not in the USA...

So I expect to get answers from my fellow Filipinos...

I wouldn't mind if others answer too.

Answer 1

It makes sense. Ashes are slightly abrasive, so they would scrub better than just a rag. Woodworkers use cigarette ashes to polish spots out of a finished surface. And ashes are free if you're normally using a wood fire. Interesting question!

Answer 2

First of all, yes it is true.  Secondly, it was/is done in most of the world as well as the USA.  A paste of ash and water makes an excellent metal scouring compound.

Answer 3

Before the invention of modern cleaners that was how people cleaned their pans (I'm from the UK not the Philipines).  As you can imagine, it cannot have been so pleasant or easy to get things clean.