# Advice on cleaning a really badly burnt pot **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 31, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cleaning-a-really-badly-burnt-pot/977424 "2022-12-31T19:02:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![SheilaFett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@SheilaFett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SheilaFett)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2023, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cleaning-a-really-badly-burnt-pot/977424/41 "2023-01-12T18:35:58Z")
Here is a simple way to clean a burnt pan, start by filling the pan with warm water and adding 2 tbsp of baking soda. Mix the solution slightly and let it soak for 30 minutes. Then add 1 tbsp of liquid dishwasher detergent and let it soak for another 30 minutes. Next, pour out the water and add the hottest water you can from the tap and a tsp of bleach. Use a scrubbing brush and clean. The baking soda and bleach work to remove burnt on food, while the dishwasher detergent acts as a degreaser and releases the burnt on bits. The hot water from the tap and the scrub brush finish the job. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cleaning-a-really-badly-burnt-pot/977424/42 "2023-01-14T21:43:24Z")
> [@SheilaFett](#): > > Then add 1 tbsp of liquid dishwasher detergent and let it soak for another 30 minutes. 1 tablespoon? That seems an awful lot. That aside, welcome to the SDMB! ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cleaning-a-really-badly-burnt-pot/977424/43 "2023-01-14T21:59:41Z")
Well, it was a really badly burnt pot… ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2023, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cleaning-a-really-badly-burnt-pot/977424/44 "2023-03-19T16:07:18Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > My wife and I take turns scrubbing it with Scotch-Brite for five minutes several times a day and it is nearly finished. Barkeeper’s friend didn’t have much effect, nor did vinegar, nor lemon juice. Sounds like there’s Scotch-Brite in our future. Hubby burned the popcorn while cooking it on the stove, so the pot now has black polka-dots on the bottom. I did an initial scrubbing, tried boiling some vinegar in it, and there’s not much improvement. Might try baking soda tomorrow, but for today, I think I’m done with the kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cleaning-a-really-badly-burnt-pot/977424/45 "2023-03-20T17:40:19Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I don’t think you realize how badly burnt on it is. I know it is really not worth my time, but I am stubborn. It is one of a set of five pots that I bought in Switzerland when we spent a year there over 50 years ago. Yeah, I thought that might be the reason. You’re not likely to need a brand-new pot to last you another fifty years. Glad you’re having visible results with the method you’re using. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2023, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cleaning-a-really-badly-burnt-pot/977424/46 "2023-03-20T21:23:13Z")
When it’s time to go nuclear. Sure, it’s awkward trying to use a power drill in something the size of a pot, and you need a **very** light touch so you don’t grind right through, but as the last resort before throwing the pot away, when it works, it works like a charm. > **[Stainless Steel - Wire Cup Brushes - Grinder Accessories - The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Power-Tool-Accessories-Abrasives-Grinder-Accessories-Wire-Cup-Brushes/Stainless-Steel/N-5yc1vZ1z18gvhZ1z1a8b3)** > > Get free shipping on qualified Stainless Steel Wire Cup Brushes products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Tools Department. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cleaning-a-really-badly-burnt-pot/977424/47 "2023-03-21T20:26:34Z")
If you really want that pot try bacon fat. Get a thick layer of bacon fat on the bottom and leave it there for a while. Maybe weeks. It’s a remarkably good but slow solvent for burnt stuff in pans, even removing old black marks rebaked many times over. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-on-cleaning-a-really-badly-burnt-pot/977424.md?page=2)