To clean a burnt pot, loosen the scorched residue instead of scraping hard: soak or simmer water with a little dish soap, baking soda, or vinegar to lift the burnt layer, then scrub gently once it has softened.
Add water and a squirt of dish soap and let it soak, or bring the water to a simmer to loosen the burnt residue. For stubborn scorching, sprinkle in baking soda, or simmer water with some vinegar, then let it cool and scrub the softened residue off with a non-scratch pad.
The burnt layer is food that has bonded to the hot metal. Water, heat, and a mild cleaner soften and lift that bond, so the residue comes away with light scrubbing, while hard scraping mostly just scratches the pot.
Baking soda is safe on most pots and works well on stainless steel. Avoid harsh abrasives and steel wool on non-stick coatings, and check the manufacturer's guidance for delicate surfaces, since aggressive scrubbing can damage them.
Simmering water with a tablespoon or two of baking soda for about 10–15 minutes lifts burnt-on residue because the alkalinity breaks down proteins and fats, while Bar Keeper’s Friend works instead through oxalic acid plus a mild abrasive (Taste of Home; Bar Keeper’s Friend).
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