OK, so when I was unloading the chest freezer for defrosting yesterday, I put a couple of kg of frozen apple slices into a big pot with some water, turned on the gas to boil them…and forgot until I smelt the burning. So now one of my good stainless steel pots is burnt. I’ve scraped the mess into the compost and I’ve attended to the outside with Jex and Ajax. Although Gumption paste worked a lot better than Ajax. Now I need to clean the inside, which is more badly burnt on. The internets suggest boiling vinegar and water, which I am now doing, to loosen the black stuff. Anyone here got any other ideas? I was thinking I might cut up some rhubarb leaves and boil them up (separate boiling from the vinegar one) and see if that helps. Every time I cook rhubarb my saucepan comes out lovely and shiny. I presume that is the oxalic acid.

buffy said:

OK, so when I was unloading the chest freezer for defrosting yesterday, I put a couple of kg of frozen apple slices into a big pot with some water, turned on the gas to boil them…and forgot until I smelt the burning. So now one of my good stainless steel pots is burnt. I’ve scraped the mess into the compost and I’ve attended to the outside with Jex and Ajax. Although Gumption paste worked a lot better than Ajax. Now I need to clean the inside, which is more badly burnt on. The internets suggest boiling vinegar and water, which I am now doing, to loosen the black stuff. Anyone here got any other ideas? I was thinking I might cut up some rhubarb leaves and boil them up (separate boiling from the vinegar one) and see if that helps. Every time I cook rhubarb my saucepan comes out lovely and shiny. I presume that is the oxalic acid.

I’ve scratched it off with a blunt knife before

buffy said:

OK, so when I was unloading the chest freezer for defrosting yesterday, I put a couple of kg of frozen apple slices into a big pot with some water, turned on the gas to boil them…and forgot until I smelt the burning. So now one of my good stainless steel pots is burnt. I’ve scraped the mess into the compost and I’ve attended to the outside with Jex and Ajax. Although Gumption paste worked a lot better than Ajax. Now I need to clean the inside, which is more badly burnt on. The internets suggest boiling vinegar and water, which I am now doing, to loosen the black stuff. Anyone here got any other ideas? I was thinking I might cut up some rhubarb leaves and boil them up (separate boiling from the vinegar one) and see if that helps. Every time I cook rhubarb my saucepan comes out lovely and shiny. I presume that is the oxalic acid.

Apparently is it onion to clean stainless steel?
maybe

https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/household-methods-to-clean-a-grill

Instead, Lindsey recommends using half a lemon. The method is identical: just substitute the onion half with half a lemon. She told me that ‘lemon juice contains acid that breaks down grease and stains. Rubbing lemon or lime halves over the grates helps remove gunk. The natural degreasing action of citrus can lift burnt spots when combined with some elbow grease and scrubbing.’

If you still need a little extra scrubbing, try dipping the lemon half in salt before you clean the grill. According to Lindsey, ‘coarse salt or dry rubs make for great grill-cleaning scrubs. Salt crystals won’t scratch the grill surface while removing layers of cooked-on messes. Any excess salt gets burned off next time you fire up the grill.’
Other methods for cleaning your grill

There are a couple of other home remedies worth considering if you’re taking on a dirty grill. Lindsey recommends an equal-part mix of water and vinegar, which is great for removing the truly burnt-on carbonization. We explore more ways to clean with vinegar in our dedicated feature.

I use washing up detergent and water boiled together followed by stainless steel wool. Then literally – rinse and repeat. Boiling until dry then adding water can sometimes shock bits of black off.

buffy said:

OK, so when I was unloading the chest freezer for defrosting yesterday, I put a couple of kg of frozen apple slices into a big pot with some water, turned on the gas to boil them…and forgot until I smelt the burning. So now one of my good stainless steel pots is burnt. I’ve scraped the mess into the compost and I’ve attended to the outside with Jex and Ajax. Although Gumption paste worked a lot better than Ajax. Now I need to clean the inside, which is more badly burnt on. The internets suggest boiling vinegar and water, which I am now doing, to loosen the black stuff. Anyone here got any other ideas? I was thinking I might cut up some rhubarb leaves and boil them up (separate boiling from the vinegar one) and see if that helps. Every time I cook rhubarb my saucepan comes out lovely and shiny. I presume that is the oxalic acid.

I’ve coated the burnt area with a thick paste of bicarbonate soda. Then let it sit for a few hours.

Endorse the bicarb idea.

Michael V said:

I use washing up detergent and water boiled together followed by stainless steel wool. Then literally – rinse and repeat. Boiling until dry then adding water can sometimes shock bits of black off.

Thank you. I’ve done the vinegar boil, I’m letting it cool a bit then I’ll see what scrapes.

kii said:

buffy said:

OK, so when I was unloading the chest freezer for defrosting yesterday, I put a couple of kg of frozen apple slices into a big pot with some water, turned on the gas to boil them…and forgot until I smelt the burning. So now one of my good stainless steel pots is burnt. I’ve scraped the mess into the compost and I’ve attended to the outside with Jex and Ajax. Although Gumption paste worked a lot better than Ajax. Now I need to clean the inside, which is more badly burnt on. The internets suggest boiling vinegar and water, which I am now doing, to loosen the black stuff. Anyone here got any other ideas? I was thinking I might cut up some rhubarb leaves and boil them up (separate boiling from the vinegar one) and see if that helps. Every time I cook rhubarb my saucepan comes out lovely and shiny. I presume that is the oxalic acid.

I’ve coated the burnt area with a thick paste of bicarbonate soda. Then let it sit for a few hours.

I did see the bicarb option online too. I’ll see how this vinegar boil goes.

buffy said:

kii said:

buffy said:

OK, so when I was unloading the chest freezer for defrosting yesterday, I put a couple of kg of frozen apple slices into a big pot with some water, turned on the gas to boil them…and forgot until I smelt the burning. So now one of my good stainless steel pots is burnt. I’ve scraped the mess into the compost and I’ve attended to the outside with Jex and Ajax. Although Gumption paste worked a lot better than Ajax. Now I need to clean the inside, which is more badly burnt on. The internets suggest boiling vinegar and water, which I am now doing, to loosen the black stuff. Anyone here got any other ideas? I was thinking I might cut up some rhubarb leaves and boil them up (separate boiling from the vinegar one) and see if that helps. Every time I cook rhubarb my saucepan comes out lovely and shiny. I presume that is the oxalic acid.

I’ve coated the burnt area with a thick paste of bicarbonate soda. Then let it sit for a few hours.

I did see the bicarb option online too. I’ll see how this vinegar boil goes.

Bicarb is recommended on the page I linked as well.

Gumption is good for the final clean. Though there is a stainless steel cleaning powder available. Forget what is in it but it isn’t nice up the nostrils. So if using it take care not to fluff it in the air.

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

kii said:

I’ve coated the burnt area with a thick paste of bicarbonate soda. Then let it sit for a few hours.

I did see the bicarb option online too. I’ll see how this vinegar boil goes.

Bicarb is recommended on the page I linked as well.

Gumption is good for the final clean. Though there is a stainless steel cleaning powder available. Forget what is in it but it isn’t nice up the nostrils. So if using it take care not to fluff it in the air.

I bought some stainless steel cleaning powder years ago (it’s still in the back of the cupboard under the sink) but it wasn’t any better than ordinary cleaners.

buffy said:

roughbarked said:

buffy said:

I did see the bicarb option online too. I’ll see how this vinegar boil goes.

Bicarb is recommended on the page I linked as well.

Gumption is good for the final clean. Though there is a stainless steel cleaning powder available. Forget what is in it but it isn’t nice up the nostrils. So if using it take care not to fluff it in the air.

I bought some stainless steel cleaning powder years ago (it’s still in the back of the cupboard under the sink) but it wasn’t any better than ordinary cleaners.

True.

roughbarked said:

Bicarb is recommended on the page I linked as well.

Well, la-de-da and bork bork bork.

My recommendation comes from experience, as I am a known burner of foods in pots.

elbow grease and stainless scourer. it is carbon, tough stuff.

but I’ll be interested to see if any of the methods here work.

ChrispenEvan said:

elbow grease and stainless scourer. it is carbon, tough stuff.

but I’ll be interested to see if any of the methods here work.

FWIW (and this is not helpful at all) I’ve used piranha solution, a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, but this is an extremely dangerous chemical. You need full ppe, including breathing apparatus, but it’s one of the few chemicals that’ll dissolve elemental carbon.

I don’t recommend it, though; it’s too dangerous.

ChrispenEvan said:

elbow grease and stainless scourer. it is carbon, tough stuff.

but I’ll be interested to see if any of the methods here work.

Scratching it off with a knife or spoon does.
I’ve had to do it when ex-Mrs Cymek let it burn on so it was black charcoal.
No cleaning product nor soaking did very much at all.

btm said:

ChrispenEvan said:

elbow grease and stainless scourer. it is carbon, tough stuff.

but I’ll be interested to see if any of the methods here work.

FWIW (and this is not helpful at all) I’ve used piranha solution, a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, but this is an extremely dangerous chemical. You need full ppe, including breathing apparatus, but it’s one of the few chemicals that’ll dissolve elemental carbon.

I don’t recommend it, though; it’s too dangerous.

You are a very interesting person. I think I’d like to organise a study.

Leave it out in the sun for a few days.

another method is a wire wheel in a drill. go at it.

Peak Warming Man said:

Leave it out in the sun for a few days.

Stick in the freezer. ;)

roughbarked said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Leave it out in the sun for a few days.

Stick in the freezer. ;)

buy a new one. the surface will be scratched and forever hard to clean.

ChrispenEvan said:

another method is a wire wheel in a drill. go at it.

:) hard core. The steel guys say steel wool along the grain.

Media blaster would do it.
I’ve cleaned some of our kitchen gear with soda blasting. A bit difficult to rig up at home though.

lithium aluminium hydride

btm said:

ChrispenEvan said:

elbow grease and stainless scourer. it is carbon, tough stuff.

but I’ll be interested to see if any of the methods here work.

FWIW (and this is not helpful at all) I’ve used piranha solution, a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, but this is an extremely dangerous chemical. You need full ppe, including breathing apparatus, but it’s one of the few chemicals that’ll dissolve elemental carbon.

I don’t recommend it, though; it’s too dangerous.

It’s unlikely to be mostly elemental carbon though. There might be a little bit there, but the majority will likely be tars and waxes.

Michael V said:

It’s unlikely to be mostly elemental carbon though. There might be a little bit there, but the majority will likely be tars and waxes.

carbonized tars and waxes.

Just continue to use it as is, it’ll eventually sort itself out. Or, you’ll get used to the added taste…

furious said:

Just continue to use it as is, it’ll eventually sort itself out. Or, you’ll get used to the added taste…

Boil up some tomatoes in it.

kii said:

buffy said:

OK, so when I was unloading the chest freezer for defrosting yesterday, I put a couple of kg of frozen apple slices into a big pot with some water, turned on the gas to boil them…and forgot until I smelt the burning. So now one of my good stainless steel pots is burnt. I’ve scraped the mess into the compost and I’ve attended to the outside with Jex and Ajax. Although Gumption paste worked a lot better than Ajax. Now I need to clean the inside, which is more badly burnt on. The internets suggest boiling vinegar and water, which I am now doing, to loosen the black stuff. Anyone here got any other ideas? I was thinking I might cut up some rhubarb leaves and boil them up (separate boiling from the vinegar one) and see if that helps. Every time I cook rhubarb my saucepan comes out lovely and shiny. I presume that is the oxalic acid.

I’ve coated the burnt area with a thick paste of bicarbonate soda. Then let it sit for a few hours.

That’s what I do. After it sits over night, rub it off, and if any more burnt stuff remains, boil it with the bicarb still in it and scrape any residue off with a rubber spatula

I’m coming in late to this, but…

…consider this stuff:

i had some frypans and saucepans that had that brown-black build-up on them, on their outsides, and i was not looking forward to a long session with the steel wool.

But, i got some of this (about $5.50 at Coles), sprayed it on, let it sit 15 mins, and literally wiped all of the muck away with a damp cloth.

Found that it’s also fabulous for cleaning BBQs, and the white enamel cooktop, that brown colouration that accumulates around the burners.

You do need GOOD VENTILATION, because a whiff of the fumes is quite scary.

While it may not do the whole job, i reckon it’d put a hell of a dent in the muck.

ChrispenEvan said:

roughbarked said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Leave it out in the sun for a few days.

Stick in the freezer. ;)

buy a new one. the surface will be scratched and forever hard to clean.

No, no, no, no, no! I saved up for this saucepan years ago. It’s an old friend.

:)

buffy said:

ChrispenEvan said:

roughbarked said:

Stick in the freezer. ;)

buy a new one. the surface will be scratched and forever hard to clean.

No, no, no, no, no! I saved up for this saucepan years ago. It’s an old friend.

:)

It can still enjoy its retirement as a plant pot. Drill some drainage holes in the bottom and plant something nice in it.

captain_spalding said:

I’m coming in late to this, but…

…consider this stuff:

i had some frypans and saucepans that had that brown-black build-up on them, on their outsides, and i was not looking forward to a long session with the steel wool.

But, i got some of this (about $5.50 at Coles), sprayed it on, let it sit 15 mins, and literally wiped all of the muck away with a damp cloth.

Found that it’s also fabulous for cleaning BBQs, and the white enamel cooktop, that brown colouration that accumulates around the burners.

You do need GOOD VENTILATION, because a whiff of the fumes is quite scary.

While it may not do the whole job, i reckon it’d put a hell of a dent in the muck.

Yes, I’ve got that, I use it on the oven, and I’ve used it on baked up stuff on a cast iron pan I use in the oven. It’s great. But don’t try the non aerosol “everyday” version. I bought it because it was non aerosol – doesn’t work very well at all. Although…maybe I will try it on this saucepan, as it’s not as baked on as the inside of my oven gets.

This – not a patch on the one you showed:

Bubblecar said:

buffy said:

ChrispenEvan said:

buy a new one. the surface will be scratched and forever hard to clean.

No, no, no, no, no! I saved up for this saucepan years ago. It’s an old friend.

:)

It can still enjoy its retirement as a plant pot. Drill some drainage holes in the bottom and plant something nice in it.

Drill holes in it…………..DRILL HOLES IN IT………..

buffy said:

captain_spalding said:

I’m coming in late to this, but…

…consider this stuff:

i had some frypans and saucepans that had that brown-black build-up on them, on their outsides, and i was not looking forward to a long session with the steel wool.

But, i got some of this (about $5.50 at Coles), sprayed it on, let it sit 15 mins, and literally wiped all of the muck away with a damp cloth.

Found that it’s also fabulous for cleaning BBQs, and the white enamel cooktop, that brown colouration that accumulates around the burners.

You do need GOOD VENTILATION, because a whiff of the fumes is quite scary.

While it may not do the whole job, i reckon it’d put a hell of a dent in the muck.

Yes, I’ve got that, I use it on the oven, and I’ve used it on baked up stuff on a cast iron pan I use in the oven. It’s great. But don’t try the non aerosol “everyday” version. I bought it because it was non aerosol – doesn’t work very well at all. Although…maybe I will try it on this saucepan, as it’s not as baked on as the inside of my oven gets.

This – not a patch on the one you showed:

They have a ‘heavy duty’ aerosol, too.

Might have to try that one day. When i’m feeling daring.

Oooo, I have burnt a couple of saucepans or thrice in my jam and chutney making, and the best thing I found is bicarb soda. But my method is to put in about half a cup full, then a cup or so of water and bring it to the boil. Once boiling turn the heat off and let it cool down. I’ve rescued my favourite two saucepans and a frying pan using this method.

captain_spalding said:

buffy said:

captain_spalding said:

I’m coming in late to this, but…

…consider this stuff:

i had some frypans and saucepans that had that brown-black build-up on them, on their outsides, and i was not looking forward to a long session with the steel wool.

But, i got some of this (about $5.50 at Coles), sprayed it on, let it sit 15 mins, and literally wiped all of the muck away with a damp cloth.

Found that it’s also fabulous for cleaning BBQs, and the white enamel cooktop, that brown colouration that accumulates around the burners.

You do need GOOD VENTILATION, because a whiff of the fumes is quite scary.

While it may not do the whole job, i reckon it’d put a hell of a dent in the muck.

Yes, I’ve got that, I use it on the oven, and I’ve used it on baked up stuff on a cast iron pan I use in the oven. It’s great. But don’t try the non aerosol “everyday” version. I bought it because it was non aerosol – doesn’t work very well at all. Although…maybe I will try it on this saucepan, as it’s not as baked on as the inside of my oven gets.

This – not a patch on the one you showed:

They have a ‘heavy duty’ aerosol, too.

Might have to try that one day. When i’m feeling daring.

Maybe for your armpits, but never your aerosol.

captain_spalding said:

buffy said:

captain_spalding said:

I’m coming in late to this, but…

…consider this stuff:

i had some frypans and saucepans that had that brown-black build-up on them, on their outsides, and i was not looking forward to a long session with the steel wool.

But, i got some of this (about $5.50 at Coles), sprayed it on, let it sit 15 mins, and literally wiped all of the muck away with a damp cloth.

Found that it’s also fabulous for cleaning BBQs, and the white enamel cooktop, that brown colouration that accumulates around the burners.

You do need GOOD VENTILATION, because a whiff of the fumes is quite scary.

While it may not do the whole job, i reckon it’d put a hell of a dent in the muck.

Yes, I’ve got that, I use it on the oven, and I’ve used it on baked up stuff on a cast iron pan I use in the oven. It’s great. But don’t try the non aerosol “everyday” version. I bought it because it was non aerosol – doesn’t work very well at all. Although…maybe I will try it on this saucepan, as it’s not as baked on as the inside of my oven gets.

This – not a patch on the one you showed:

They have a ‘heavy duty’ aerosol, too.

Might have to try that one day. When i’m feeling daring.

The one you put up is the heavy duty one. I’ve got both in my cupboard now. Since I discovered how poorly the trigger one performed.

Anyway, progress report: The vinegar boil helped a bit, loosened the stuff up the sides enough to remove with steel wool and Gumption. There is still some blackening across the bottom…so I’ve just put in some rhubarb leaves to simmer. I’ll give them 10 minutes and then let it all cool down. And see what happens. Next step will be the trigger pack oven cleaner.

buffy said:

Anyway, progress report: The vinegar boil helped a bit, loosened the stuff up the sides enough to remove with steel wool and Gumption. There is still some blackening across the bottom…so I’ve just put in some rhubarb leaves to simmer. I’ll give them 10 minutes and then let it all cool down. And see what happens. Next step will be the trigger pack oven cleaner.

Spray it on, rub it in, put the lid on, and leave it overnight.

buffy said:

Anyway, progress report: The vinegar boil helped a bit, loosened the stuff up the sides enough to remove with steel wool and Gumption. There is still some blackening across the bottom…so I’ve just put in some rhubarb leaves to simmer. I’ll give them 10 minutes and then let it all cool down. And see what happens. Next step will be the trigger pack oven cleaner.

The oven cleaner should work. Particularly if it NaOH-based.

Michael V said:

buffy said:

Anyway, progress report: The vinegar boil helped a bit, loosened the stuff up the sides enough to remove with steel wool and Gumption. There is still some blackening across the bottom…so I’ve just put in some rhubarb leaves to simmer. I’ll give them 10 minutes and then let it all cool down. And see what happens. Next step will be the trigger pack oven cleaner.

The oven cleaner should work. Particularly if it NaOH-based.

The heavy-duty aerosol is 49g per kg.

captain_spalding said:

Michael V said:

buffy said:

Anyway, progress report: The vinegar boil helped a bit, loosened the stuff up the sides enough to remove with steel wool and Gumption. There is still some blackening across the bottom…so I’ve just put in some rhubarb leaves to simmer. I’ll give them 10 minutes and then let it all cool down. And see what happens. Next step will be the trigger pack oven cleaner.

The oven cleaner should work. Particularly if it NaOH-based.

The heavy-duty aerosol is 49g per kg.

Just don’t accidentally spray-paint yourself with it.

Nor anything aluminium.

Nor anything with zinc on or in it.

Nor anything painted.

Woodie said:

buffy said:

Anyway, progress report: The vinegar boil helped a bit, loosened the stuff up the sides enough to remove with steel wool and Gumption. There is still some blackening across the bottom…so I’ve just put in some rhubarb leaves to simmer. I’ll give them 10 minutes and then let it all cool down. And see what happens. Next step will be the trigger pack oven cleaner.

Spray it on, rub it in, put the lid on, and leave it overnight.

That is the plan.

But let’s see what the rhubarb boil does first.

:)

very fine sandpaper.

buffy said:

Woodie said:

buffy said:

Anyway, progress report: The vinegar boil helped a bit, loosened the stuff up the sides enough to remove with steel wool and Gumption. There is still some blackening across the bottom…so I’ve just put in some rhubarb leaves to simmer. I’ll give them 10 minutes and then let it all cool down. And see what happens. Next step will be the trigger pack oven cleaner.

Spray it on, rub it in, put the lid on, and leave it overnight.

That is the plan.

But let’s see what the rhubarb boil does first.

:)

what have you done, ruiner of saucepans, you’re doing secret science trying to prove it isn’t stainless, I know, or forgot to take your dementia tablets I bet

worst comes to worse you can melt the pot down and forge a new one, FYI stainless melts at 1,370 to 1,530 degrees Celsius depending on the grade, so yeah you just need a baby furnace, i’d recommend making a slightly smaller saucepan because you may lose some of the metal in the process, or if you have some other stainless things you want to get rid off go ahead throw them in, possibly you could make a bigger pan.

and watching…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEry0OGHW-s
How a Stainless Steel Pan Factory Produces Over 700 Pans per Day — Dan Does

can’t you just peel it off with duck tape andor super glue

WB&D

Wire Brush & Drill.

I have used a thick cover of salt over the burnt area, let stand and wash off. Use wire wool and it should clean up pretty well.

See how you go.

good point, if you connect it to DC as anode in salt bath for a few days that should be all good

Update. The rhubarb water soak actually did work to some extent, with Gumption and steel wool afterwards. Looks like I’d need to do it a couple more times though. So tomorrow I will try the everyday oven cleaner on it.