Turn it on outside and wait for all the pee inside it to burn off? That's all I got, unfortunately, and I'm operating on the theory that some pee went into the radiator somehow, which could be crazy. But still, maybe if you just keep it running where you can't smell it it will go away? Dog pee, while not as immediately pervasive as the cat kind, can still be damn bad, as I know to my sorrow.

If your portable radiator is like the ones I know, there are basically a bunch of seams where metal overlaps metal along the edges, and the pee probably got inside that way.

I like MGL's suggestion of running it outside for a day or two. I don't think you really would want to use more cleaner on it, because it's just going to get inside too, and at some point you could start to monkey with the electronics in a not very good way.

there are basically a bunch of seams where metal overlaps metal along the edges, and the pee probably got inside that way.

Ah, that totally makes sense! I bet you're right.

Turning it on outside and seeing if we can get it to burn off is a good idea -- I'll run an extension cord onto the porch tonight and see if that does the trick.

Drench it with white vinegar, rinse with water, run it outside.

You might have to disassemble it somewhat, but pretty much everything can be washed if you come to it properly. Pull it apart so that any water runs out, wash it out and leave it until it's really, really, dry, then see what happens.

Um, unplug it first ;-)

Piggybacking on dg's suggestion. . .if you disassemble, soak suspect parts in isopropyl alcohol (you'll have to buy a lot) then let completely dry. That is what is suggested for computer parts that have been spilled on. . .

unfortunately, it's got a big WARNING: DO NOT DISSASSEMBLE: NO SERVICEABLE PARTS, DUMMY! warning on the front, so I think I'm going to steer clear of that option...

I think they don't want you to disassemble it in hopes of finding the loose wire that's made it stop heating, or to replace the heating element, or something like that.

They should probably amend the notice to say WARNING: DO NOT DISASSEMBLE IF YOU ARE TRYING TO FIX THE HEAT OUTPUT OF THIS THING! BUT IF YOUR DOG PEED ON IT, AND YOU NEED TO CLEAN IT, GO AHEAD! BUT IF YOU'RE WORRIED THAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER, DON'T!

heh!

NO DISASSEMBLE!

I wouldn't be scared of that sticker. In fact, I would see it as a personal challenge and would be tempted to pull it apart just out of spite.

Seriously though, there is nothing to be afraid of by pulling the cover off something like that - if you're worried about not being able to get it back together, take some photos as you go and separate any screws etc into little piles so you know which ones go where.

Really, what's the worst that can happen? Well, apart from being electrocuted to death or burning your house down.

Apart from that... I could waste an evening being frustrated by a task I find inherently unenjoyable, especially when I have a ton of other things I need to do before going to San Francisco in two days. (Honestly, I'm just missing the "it's fun to take things apart and fix them" gene. Though strangely, I sort of enjoy assembling shelves from Ikea. So maybe I got half of the gene.)

You didn't get half, so much as you only got the patented Ikea flat-topped hex screw, but the patented Ikea allen wrench was MISSING FROM THE PACKAGING AGAIN, GODDAMMIT!

I must be on the other end of some crazy worm hole of allen wrenches, because I swear, half the time when I get something from Ikea... it comes WITH EXTRA WRENCHES! Seriously, I have a drawer full... I should send you some.

Speaking of wrenches and other tools (as opposed to Whipped Cream and Other Delights), a closer examination of said radiator reveals that the wheels are easily detachable, but the screws for the body of the radiator itself are very tiny and placed in the most inaccessible section possible, no doubt requiring a special screwdriver that my boyfriend probably owns, but which is most likely in the tool box in his truck, which itself is currently parked in front of his writing partner's house about 5 miles away, where they're working all night to finish up their screenplay before their option expires in a few weeks. So even if I wanted to take apart the dang thing after all, I couldn't.

Which is why it's now on the front porch, heating away and hopefully burning off the last of the PoochPee (tm) as the Pooch Himself snores away obliviously at my feet.

Heh, I have quite a collection of Ikea allen keys, too. Kind of ironic, given that I never use them, preferring the cut-off version that fits in my cordless drill. I'm way too impatient to wind all those screws in by hand.