Back when I was a 'Prentice Lad, we had a 1.5m cubed stainless tank with a pneumatically lifted tray that rose out of the gunk in it to allow you to load and submerge the goodies you needed stripped.
We called it the "Ardrox bath" probably because Ardrox made the stuff in it, but whoever arrived first at work had to turn on the heating element int the tank and drain the compressed air lines and then turn on the 5 gallon urn for coffee, in that order.
I can remember having to use elbow length gloves to work there and my arms getting all tingly and pasty white from the vapour when it got under the gloves, it was so strong. The guy in charge of the overhaul shop left a main transmission casing in it over the weekend once and come Monday all that was left were the steel inserts for the bolts, the magnesium casing was GONE!!!