best way to clean an oil pan?

I just picked one up from the junkyard and need to clean both the inside and outside for my new motor. What's the best thing to use? Remember, I'm in CA so I probably can't get a lot of the solvents that are stronger than B-12 Chemtool or Brakleen.

scraper, wire wheel and brakeclean. I did this one awhile ago and never used it. Rusting a little from humidity.

Drown it in dishsoap and let it soak in and then wash it with hot water and a scrub brush. Repeat until clean.

Lots of ways to go. I'd likely use Oven-Cleaner, Degreaser, soak in water/ laundry-detergent, scrub with bristle-brush and steel-wool scouring pads, etc. You can remove old paint with "Aircraft" Paint Remover.

An engine-rebuild shop could either hot-tank (if still available) or use their more environmentally sensitive alternative cleaning systems.

Another choice might be Media (Sand) blasting followed by washing in soapy-water to remove any residual grit, ... lots of choices.

Thanks for the answers, guys. I'll probably go with the old dishsoap-soak and brakekleen/wire brush scrub

Use lot's of hot hot water to rinse and if it has baffles be sure they are clean underneath.

1. Use a paint scraper or and coarse steel wool and remove everything caked on.
2. Take it to a self service car wash and and remove anything that will wash off.
3. Spray it down with easy-off oven cleaner.
4. Let it sit for 1 hr.
5. When the wife isn't looking!! put it in the dishwasher with lots of dish washer detergent on pots and pans cycle.
Repeat steps 3-5 until it is clean.
After you are done, cycle the dishwasher empty to clean out any residue you may have left.
You may have to remove the upper basket.
This procedure is fine for anything that will fit in the dishwasher.
I have used it for heads, bell housing, carb, engine sheet metal, and do not forget the 727 cleaning.

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5. When the wife isn't looking!! put it in the dishwasher with lots of dish washer detergent on pots and pans cycle.
Repeat steps 3-5 until it is clean.
After you are done, cycle the dishwasher empty to clean out any residue you may have left.
You may have to remove the upper basket.
This procedure is fine for anything that will fit in the dishwasher.
I have used it for heads, bell housing, carb, engine sheet metal, and do not forget the 727 cleaning.

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I'm installing a dishwasher in the garage for this next to the oven.