6 cleaning tips to repair a burnt and destroyed pot or pan

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Most of you probably have at least one pot or pan that's burnt beyond all recognition. You still use it every now and then, but every time you tell yourself that you need to throw it out and buy a new one. But what if you could still save it?
Even though burnt-on gunk in your pots and pans often seems impossible to remove, there are actually several ways to get rid of it. Just try a few of the tips below to save your dishes (and your wallet)!
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1. Fabric softener
You can use either liquid fabric softener or a fabric softener sheet to clean a burnt pan; it just depends on what you have on hand. Fill the pan with water and add a tablespoon of fabric softener or a fabric sheet and let it soak overnight. In the morning, pour out the water and remove the fabric sheet. The burnt-on gunk should wash out without any additional scrubbing.
2. Vinegar & baking soda
Fill the bottom of the pan with water and 1 cup of vinegar and bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and slowly add in 2 tablespoons of baking soda (keep a rag on hand to quickly wipe up any spill-over from the fizz). After the fizz dies down, empty the pan and scour until the burnt-on gunk is cleaned out.
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3. Bar Keepers Friend
Start by combining Bar Keepers Friend with just enough water to make a paste. Rub the paste onto the burnt areas and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a sponge to scrub the paste into the pot until the burnt-on gunk starts to come off. Depending on how bad the pot was to start, you might have to remake your paste a few times. Bar Keepers Friend is especially effective on stainless steel pots and pans.
4. Ketchup
It might seem weird to use ketchup as a cleaning product, but it's pretty effective. Just squirt a fairly thick layer of ketchup over the burnt surface of your pan and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Then use a damp sponge to scrub the ketchup off, which should also scrub away the burnt-on gunk.
5. Coca-Cola
Even if you're never going to drink it, Coke can be a useful item to have on hand, especially if you have a tendency to burn your food (and pans). Just pour a can of Coke into the burnt pan and bring it to a boil. Remove it from the heat and use a steel wool pad or a scouring pad to scrub away the burnt bits.
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6. Cream of tartar & lemon juice
If you want a cleaning solution similar to vinegar and baking soda but without the inevitable fizzy mess, then cream of tartar and lemon juice is your best bet. Make a paste with the two ingredients, spread it over the burnt-on areas and let it sit for a few minutes. Finish by scrubbing over everything with a damp sponge.
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