I do it all the time and have never cracked or messed up a ball. Common sense though, I wouldn't go too much past 130 cause there is limits. I'd recomend soaking it and taking it out spraying a degreaser on it for maxium effect (409 or Simple Green). Or if you have a Home Depot I strongly recomend Zep degreaser. I posted about it in a post how much oil it withdraws...and that was without hot water.