How to Clean a Burnt Cooking Pot

Whether it is a favorite old cooking pot that you've had for years, or one of a new set, there are ways of getting that burnt gunk off the bottom of your pot. All you need to clean the burnt residue off of your cooking pot are common items that you may have around your house. With a few steps your pot will be back to cooking form, and ready for you to cook more gourmet treats.

Things You'll Need

• Scraper
• Water
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Steel wool
• Dishwasher detergent
• Oven cleaner
• Rubber gloves

Instructions

1. Remove any food in the pot. Scrape off gently as much of the burnt-on food as possible.

2. Pour ¾ cup of baking soda onto the burnt bottom of the pot. It should cover all of the burnt area. Pour into the pot enough white vinegar to cover the layer of baking soda. The mixture might bubble at this point, but that is all right. Cover the mixture and let it sit for six hours, or overnight if possible.

3. Scrape out the burnt food and gently scour the burnt area with steel wool. Rinse the pot. Proceed to the next step if residue still remains.

4. Pour 1/4 cup of dishwasher detergent in the pot. Add 1 cup of water. Set the pot on the stove and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and turn off the heat. Let the mixture sit for six to eight hours, or overnight. Peel off the burnt food and scour away any remaining bits with steel wool. Proceed to the next step if residue still remains.

5. Clean the pot with a commercial oven cleaner to remove the burnt material. Put on the rubber gloves. Spray or brush the oven cleaner onto the burnt area of the pot. Cover the pot and let it sit overnight. Rinse the pot thoroughly. Repeat this step as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear a mask when using the oven cleaner.

References

• Chow Hound: Best Ways to Clean a Burnt Pot
• Thrifty Fun: Cleaning Black Burnt-on Stuff from Stainless Steel