How to Clean Burned on Food from a Pot

You are cooking dinner and turn your back for a moment. The next thing you know there is a pan bubbling. You rush to take it off the stove and remove the item from the pan. Too late! Some of it is stuck to the bottom. Instead of throwing the pan away, try these tips to remove the burned on food from the pan. No need to purchase a new pan.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A little elbow grease
• Items you already have in your home.

1. Sprinkle some baking soda into the pan with water and put it on the stove just to a simmer. Remove the pan from the stove and begin to remove the loosened food. Repeat if necessary.

2. Poor salt into the bottom of a pan. Take a piece of a paper bag and use it to scrub the caked in food off of the pan.

3. Mix vinegar and water in a pan and bring it to a boil. Once the mixture boils take it off the stove. The caked in food should be loosened.

4. Take a dryer sheet and place it in the pan submerged in water. Let it sit overnight or for at least 6 hours. The fabric softener will help soften the food and that antistatic portion of the dryer sheet will weaken the bond.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to put in some elbow grease. It's always cheaper than buying a new pan
• Be careful not to scrape the anti stick portions of the pan.

[MidniteWriter]

on 1/5/2009 I never knew about the fabric softener trick. This is sure to save me hours of scrubbing! Thanks!

[Dancingfool]

on 1/5/2009 Thanks for the tips. I will have to try it.

[TrayC]

on 1/5/2009 THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED!!! lol my boyfriend gets crazy when this happens and i never knew how to clean it well. Thank you great article, also i recomended you-tray

[MFoust]

on 1/4/2009 Wow - I remember my grandma used to do somethiing similar to this and of course I never paid attention:) but now I get it! 5*****

[UnStarvedArtist]

on 1/4/2009 Very cool tips..I like that the alternative are all household items that are always on hand