I did a dumb thing. I boiled water to heat a baby's bottle. Totally forgot about it after the bottle was ready, etc. I went to bed, it boiled completely dry and sat and cooked bare stainless steel for about 2 hours! 1. Is it safe to use again? 2. How do I clean massive discoloration on the bottom of the pot?
Nancy from Rochester, NY
I have heard to use plain old salt to clean the pan. (02/19/2007)
By Mary Ann
I have a stainless steel pan that I forgot on the stove and later found no food but ashes in it. It looked horrible. I boiled Coke in it for about 45 Minutes. It really worked, I got all the stuck on stuff off with just a brush.
The pan is still grey and doesn't shine though but I might even find a solution for that. (03/13/2007)
By Lana
I swear by automatic dishwasher liquid. I have had to let stainless steel pans soak for days, but it always works; minimal scrubbing with a green scratchy, or curly scrubber. If the stain is really bad it may never completely disappear for the metal has been permanently altered throughout, but I still use the pan. Do not try this on aluminum. It will eat aluminum alive! (06/30/2007)
By Susan in WA state
I tried most of the hints above: vinegar & baking soda, dishwasher soap, cream of tarter (yes, I tried SOS pads too) etc. The one I found worked the best was, Barkeeper's Friend. I read where some of the other posters, had no luck. But worked for me! (07/31/2007)
By Abbey
I tried vinegar, boiling water, ketchup, and soapy water but none of the stuff worked on my burnt stainless steel saute pan. I found that using a baking soda paste and letting it sit for 15 minutes and then rinsing it out and then pouring baking soda and using a nylon scrub got out all my stains. (11/27/2007)
By Jordan
Thanks for the tips for getting out the burnt spots. To make them shine again polish them with lemon juice, or try the new stainless cleaner from the pampered chef (being released March 2008). (01/17/2008)
By upson
Try Cameo works wonders for me. Plain old burnt food, I just deglaze the hot pan with water and a wooden spoon. But for serious stuff it's the cameo. Keeps it pretty silver. (03/08/2008)
By Darrell
I tried the Coke method and it worked fabulously. I even used Pepsi and it worked the same. Thanks for the hint. One word of warning though: Don't let the Coke cook for too long or you'll have a sloppy mess and you have to do it all over again. (07/14/2008)
By Sam
Tried the simmering baking soda bath. You can doubt if you want to. IT REALLY WORKS! Polyester lined oven mitt melted on HARD AS NAILS! Couldn't stand up to the Baking Soda Simmer Soak. Thanks for the posting, WhyMe in the ATL (07/29/2008)
By WhyMe
Tried the simmering baking soda bath. You can doubt if you want to. It really works! Polyester lined oven mitt melted on hard as nails! Couldn't stand up to the Baking Soda Simmer Soak. Thanks for the posting,
WhyMe in the ATL (07/29/2008)
By WhyMe
(Sent in by email)
I bought an oven mitt "100% cotton NOT", polyester lining burnt/melted to my Farberware Millennium. The department store was not willing to replace it. I ran across your posting and had not much faith. Yet to my pleasant surprise, a few minutes in the baking soda bath, brand spankin' shiny new!
Thanks a Bunch!
Melani (07/30/2008)
By ThriftyFun
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
