Someone called on the phone while you had your pot on the heat and has burnt the food? We have all been in similar situations in which our saucepan has ended up with a burnt bottom and there's no way of cleaning it. To get rid of the stuck food and leave your pot as if it was brand new, this OneHowTo article would like to show you some home tricks so you know how to clean a burnt pot.
- Salt
- White vinegar
- Detergent
- Bicarbonate sodium
- Bleach
Clean a pot with water and salt
If your pot hasn't burnt too much and the food isn't too stuck to it, this trick to clean a burnt pot is ideal, apart from simple. The first thing you need to do is to clean the pot well so you get rid of as much burnt food as possible. Clean it as usual, with very hot water, detergent and a soft sponge. Then, cover the burnt part with hot water and add two spoonfuls of salt. Leave the pot with the water for at least 15 minutes and scrub with a brush or nylon pad to get rid of the burnt food. If there are still burnt parts, put water and salt in the pot again and boil it. Let the pot cool down and clean what's left. Additionally, salt acts as a mild abrasive, which can help loosen stubborn residues without scratching the surface of the pot.
Cleaning a burnt pot with detergent
Another of the home tricks to clean burnt pots is the following. Cover the burnt part with hot water and add washing up liquid. Then, boil it on low heat. It's recommendable to cover the pot with a glass to avoid the foam from falling. When boiled, take it off the heat and wait until it's cooled down a bit so you can put your hand in and scrub the stuck food with a nylon pad. This method not only helps in loosening the burnt food but also ensures any greasy residue is effectively broken down, making your pot easier to clean.
Cleaning a burnt pot with white vinegar
If your pot is stainless steel, this home trick will come in handy to clean it without damaging it. Cover the burnt part with white vinegar and put it to boil. Leave it to boil for at least 5 minutes. After this time has passed, take it off the heat and leave it to cool until you can scrub the rest of the food with a sponge and clean it. Vinegar's acidity is effective in breaking down organic material, and it also acts as a natural disinfectant, leaving your pot not only clean but also sanitized.
Clean a burnt pot with bicarbonate sodium
If your pot is quite burnt and the previous tricks haven't got rid of the bits of burnt food, here's another home trick that can help. Get bicarbonate sodium and spread it on the bottom of the pan. Add a spoonful of sugar and heat it on low heat. When it boils, leave it for five minutes and then take it off the heat so you can clean it. If the pot also has burnt sides, you'll need to add half a class of bicarbonate sodium for each 3.75 litres (6.5 pints) of water and heat it. Bicarbonate sodium, or baking soda, is not only a great cleaning agent but also a deodorizer, ensuring your pot is free from any lingering burnt smells.
Clean a burnt pot with bleach
This home trick to clean a burnt pot is just for very burnt pots, so don't use it if your pot hasn't got a lot of food stuck to it. Cover the burnt part of water and add a bit of bleach, it's always best to do it slowly and be careful when adding more quantity without going over the top. Take the water and bleach to boil and leave for a couple of minutes. It's important to use this home trick carefully and don't breathe the vapor that the mix leaves. Let it cool down a bit and clean it delicately. Don't forget to use latex gloves or nitrile for more protection. Bleach is a powerful cleaner and disinfectant, but it should be used sparingly and with caution due to its strong chemical properties.
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