Unfortunately, there are times that we all become distracted while cooking. Sometimes it is a phone call, sometimes we are asked to do something by our spouse. Occasionally, there is an odd request for some burnt popcorn. In any event, here are some suggestions on how to remove burn marks on stainless steel pots.
1. Fill the pot with a half and half vinegar and water solution. Bring the mixture to a boil for several minutes. The burn stains should come right out.
2. Oven cleaner. Apply the cleaner to the stain and let it stand for a few minutes. Rub the pot down with a non-abrasive scrub pad. Stay away from steel wool and the sandpaper, as it will scratch the pot.
3. Apply a baking soda and water paste to the affected area. Wet down the area and then apply the paste. Let the pot stand for around half an hour before scrubbing it off.
4. Ammonia. For the really tough stains, buy a bottle of ammonia. Pour the ammonia into the pot and then seal it inside a plastic bag. Leave the bag outside for two days. When you bring it back in and open the bag, don’t breathe in the fumes. Wipe off the burn stains.
5. One of the nonconventional methods is to rub ketchup on the stain and let it stand for about an hour. Use a non-abrasive pad to scrub the ketchup out of the pot, and repeat as necessary. Cooking some rhubarb is another effective way of removing a stain from a stainless steel pot.
For all of these solutions on how to remove burn stains on stainless steel pots, don’t forget to wash the pot thoroughly with a soapy hot water mixture to get all of the chemicals off. Ketchup is not hazardous to the health, but ingesting any sort of cleaner is.