Metal scrapers are fine if you know what you're doing. Plastic blades just don't have the edge to get through tough buildup. You just need a light touch and keep the angle flat. People make it sound way more dangerous than it really is.

Been there, my first attempt was basically a corn-flavored hockey puck.

My friend spent a whole week building this crazy detailed dashboard. Her boss took one look and said he just wanted three numbers in an email. She was crushed. Now she sends a one line example of what she'll deliver and waits for a thumbs up. It seems so simple but it changed her whole work week. What kind of detail do you usually ask for?