A method of cleaning a spent anode assembly after removal from an aluminum reduction cell, the assembly including a support rod and yoke and the remaining portions of at least one rigid carbon electrode held on the support rod and yoke and upon which is deposited solidified electrolytic material including fused cryolite, alumina and other materials used in the aluminum reduction process, the method comprising the steps of: (a) coupling a vibratable assembly coupled rigidly to the support rod and yoke; and (b) applying acceleration forces substantially though the centre of gravity of the vibratable assembly and supported spent anode assembly so that each carbon electrode has applied thereto an acceleration pattern to remove the solidified electrolytic material therefrom by generating tensile and shear forces greater than the adhesive force between the electrode and the electrolytic material.