A dear sweet elderly lady that I know fell asleep with food on the stove. I went over to help her get all of her plants in before the freeze and noticed two really good pots sitting in the garage. When I got closer I noticed that whatever was in them had become petrified rock soldered to each pot. She was so embarrassed and told me that she ruined her two favorite pots when she fell asleep with dinner on the stove. One pot is a nice pressure cooker pot and the other a heavy duty 1 quart saucepan. With alot of elbow grease I was able to get the saucepan clean and shiny, however, the pressure cooker is proving to be quite a challenge. I soaked, scrubbed, used steel wood, used a wire brush, used commercial cleaners and managed to get alot of it but it still is not anywhere ready to be used again. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to get her pots back to her before Christmas.
How to get baked/burnt food out of pot?
- Thread starter ejagno
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AddisonRose
On loan from Heaven
Try this: http://www.ehow.com/how_114388_treat-burned-pots.html for the burned-on foodstuffs. Hope it helps....
I think the bigger fear is the sleeping while food is cooking on the stove. That could prove hazardous to one's health. AddyRose.
I think the bigger fear is the sleeping while food is cooking on the stove. That could prove hazardous to one's health. AddyRose.
ChainedLightning
Inactive
I've found that soaking in dishwasher detergent (y'know, the stuff you use in the dishwasher, not the stuff you wash dishes by hand with) will get most anything off. Put a lot (half cup or so) of it in, fill with hot water, and let soak overnight.
Have rescued a couple of pans with some pretty tough stuff burned in the bottom. Usually it works to pour straight color safe bleach in the pot, and let it sit for an hour or two. Usually brings out the burned stuff stuck int he pores and helps in the cleaning process.
Sometimes a combination of vinegar and baking soda applied to the burned food, will bubble it loose too. Gramdma used to burn something about once a week. Not because she fell asleep but because her soap came on.
suzy
Sometimes a combination of vinegar and baking soda applied to the burned food, will bubble it loose too. Gramdma used to burn something about once a week. Not because she fell asleep but because her soap came on.
suzy
Taz
Deceased
my MIL told me this and I didn't believe her until finally I found a need to try most anything. It did work and also works on burner pans. Cover the burnt area with a lot of COMET and put just enough water in it to make sure its covered. Let it sit and soak for 24 hrs and then wash. If that doesn't do it, throw the damn thing out! LOL
Taz
Taz
Turn the pot upside down on an ant hill, for a couple of days. Let those little buggers do it for you.
No, no, I was serious! Of course if it is cold where you are, THAT idea is out. Would have to wait for summer, if you don't live in the desert (or maybe even then).
DocVan
No, no, I was serious! Of course if it is cold where you are, THAT idea is out. Would have to wait for summer, if you don't live in the desert (or maybe even then).
DocVan
Walrus Whisperer
Hope in chains...
My no fail yet method is fill pot about 1/2 full water, dump in a good amount of baking soda and simmer for a while and then let sit for at least half a day. This has loosened the great majority of my mishaps and once or twice I had to repeat the process and that 2nd time got what was left.
Kathy in WV
Down on the Farm...
Just wanted to say that both my pressure cookers are aluminum and I pitted my best one by putting bleach in it( I'm bad about walking away from stove and burning stuff). Standard last ditch treatment around here is putting a wire brush on the drill and hubby takes it down to the original surface. Thats how we rescue cast iron from yard sales etc. But its ok for other metals too. Wear a mask! 
Thanks everyone. I returned her pots in like new condition this morning. She was thrilled. I used the baking soda, vinegar, bleach, boiling, soaking and every other commercial cleaner I could get. The great end result was the wire brush attachment on the end of a dremel followed up with a sanding disk. Came out better than I could have hoped for. 
Walrus Whisperer
Hope in chains...
I should have mentioned it in my first post. DO NOT PUT BLEACH IN AN ALUMINUM VESSEL. It will start melting the metal and pit it badly.