scorch removal from stainless steel cookware?

Question

How can I remove scorch or "overcooked" food from a stainless steel saucepan? My son was cooking last night and I guess lost interest. :-) But I have soaked it and tried to cook it off and it is just like cement. :-( Thanks for your help in advance.

Answer 1

Our daughter did this. We thought she'd ruined the pan, when soaking it in boiling water with dishwasher detergent didn't budge the scorch.

It did loosen it enough that we were able to chip and scrape away some with a table knife. Then we repeated the process, getting it a little better every time.

Finally we smartened up and got online. I don't remember what we tried, but I think it was the strong baking soda solution, in water just past the scorch level, boiled for a short time, that lifted off the most. I think we also tried simmering dishwasher detergent for about 20 minutes.

Now I can't even tell which pan it was.

Answer 2

You could try cooking up some oil in the pan...that might help loosen the food.

But I've always found the best way to clean non-stick cookware is the SOS soap pads. I usually find that those with a little elbow grease are the best little gems in the world!

Answer 3

Dawn Power Dissolver... works like magic!.... does the black stuff on the bottom outside of the pans, too.. and the copper bottoms, too.... gotta find it at WalMart... used to be able to get it at the grocery but now it's at Ace Hardware, Wal Mart, Target sometimes, and Sam's Club occasionally.... it's also wonderful for smooth top stoves!!.. wow!... gotta have that stuff!!...

http://www.dawn-dish.com/sites/en_US/dawn/dissolver.shtml

Answer 4

Sometimes you can make a paste out of water and cream of tartar to remove cooked on stuff from pans. Let it sit a while and then scrub it.

Answer 5

they make stainless steel cleaners can usally find them at a store like walmart or ifthere is a military store near you go there an ask for it