Several months ago while trying to make homemade popcorn on the stove, I did some major damage to my pot. I must not have been stirring the kernels enough, since my popcorn not only got burnt, but it left a horrible burnt residue on the bottom of my pot.
I tried several methods to clean my pot - like boiling hot water, making a water/baking soda paste and nothing worked to get the burnt gunk off my pot. I pretty much thought I was going to have to live with it looking that way.
However, as a last resort, I decided to try the same thing I did to clean a baking pan, and it worked! My pot pretty much looks like new again!
What you'll need:
First, I sprinkled about a ¼ cup of baking soda on the bottom of my pot, making sure the burnt stuff was completely covered. Then, I sprayed hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda, enough to make a paste. Then, I let the pot sit for about 4 hours. You'll probably hear it bubbling a little bit.
After 4 hours, I took a piece of aluminum foil and scrubbed away at the burnt spots. The paste turned black, and I kept scrubbing away. After I rinsed out the pot, it still didn't quite look like new, so I repeated the process once again. This time, it almost looked like new!
I don't know if it took 2 tries because it was especially bad, whether it was because it had been cooked on for months, or if I had just let it sit for another couple of hours it would have been better. But, either way...I have a clean pot!
How to Clean a Burnt Pot
Materials
Instructions
- Sprinkle about a ¼ cup of baking soda on the bottom of the pot, making sure the burnt stuff is completely covered
- Spray hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda, enough to make a paste.
- Let the pot sit for about 4 hours. You'll probably hear it bubbling a little bit.
- After 4 hours, take a piece of aluminum foil and scrub away at the burnt spots. The paste will turn black, but keep scrubbing.
- If after you rinse out the pot, it still doesn't quite look like new, repeat the process once again.
How to Clean a Baking PanHow to Clean a Ceramic Stove TopHow to Clean {and Polish} a Stainless Steel Sink
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Bill scott says
I clean pots and frying pans the old military way. Much quicker and easier. Use 1cup of white vinigar and boil it. When it starts to boil use a small spatula to go around and loosen whatever you over cooked. A little soap and water, job done.
Florence says
Try SOS or Brillo. Works better than anything else. Once you dampen your SOS or Brillo pad a bit and scrub your pans, they will look like new. These pads are gentle too. Of course you're not going to use them on a non-stick pan, but will work perfectly on your baking pans or the burnt on popcorn pan.
Lisa says
I just tried this and it worked! I have a pot that had a burnt spot that always made my soups have a slightly burnt taste and nothing got it off! Its gone. 🙂
Veronica says
The easiest way to clean burnt pans is put hot water in the pan and place a dryer sheet in the water leave to soak for awhile around 1/2 hr. When you come back remove sheet throw out water and wash,burnt mark and stuck on food will come right off.
margaret sudbey says
try this as i do this every time. just put ketchup in the pan cover all the burn area then put it on the stove and just put it on high heat and let it burn it will smell but it will take all the burn black stuff off then wash the pan will come out clean and shinny
Renee says
I'm looking for a way to clean and polish silver.
CRAIG says
Dip in vinegar or you can also use ketchup as my mom did on silver, brass and her copper sink. Start with a soft cloth and go harder if needed.
edward long says
TRY BAR KEEPERS FRIEND CLEANER,WILL CLEAN ANY KIND OF POTS AND MUCH MORE