Dial-a-Maid
Cleaning a Scorched Pan is going to take some time and elbow grease but it is salvageable, says a 40+ year old Residential Cleaning Service in Evanston, Il. Most of our pans are aluminum so we can't put oven cleaner on them. the caustic chemicals can etch or chemically scratch the metal, which means almost everything will stick to it in the future.
Fill the pan with enough water to cover the burnt-on food, add some white vinegar, and bring it to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for twenty minutes.
Pour off the liquid, let the pan cool enough to handle it, and use a nylon scraper or wooden spoon to scrape off as much of the burnt mess as possible. If there is still a lot of burnt food, repeat the process.
Once you've gotten down to the last thin layer, bring out your Bar Keeper's Friend, which is an oxalic acid compound and safe for food preparation surfaces. Sprinkle it over the bottom of the pot, which should still be damp. Allow it to soak for a few moments, then use a rag and rub with the grain. Rinse the pot well before storing it. Cleaning and restoring a scorched aluminum pan is still possible, says a 40+ year old Residential Cleaning Service in Evanston, Il.
