How to clean burnt pots and restore stainless steel shine

Step-by-step: rescuing a burnt pot

1. Let the pot cool. Cold water in a hot pot warps the base.
2. Fill it with hot water so the burnt layer is covered, and leave it to soak for 30 minutes.
3. Pour out the water and scrape off whatever lifts easily with a wooden or plastic spatula.
4. Apply Gosh Pot Shiner to the burnt area and leave it for a few minutes to soften the residue.
5. Scrub with a non-scratch pad in circles, adding a little warm water as you go.
6. For a really stubborn layer, simmer water in the pot for 10 minutes, then repeat steps 4 and 5.
7. Rinse well and dry immediately with a cloth — air drying is what leaves water marks on steel.

By type of burn

• Burnt pap or rice: soak first, always. Scrubbing dry residue just scratches the pot.
• Burnt milk: soak in warm water, then clean — heat sets milk proteins hard.
• Burnt sugar or caramel: simmer water in the pot to dissolve it before you touch it with a pad.
• Scorched oil and black carbon on the outside base: apply, leave longer, and use firm circular pressure.

Restoring the shine

Once the pot is clean, apply a small amount of Pot Shiner to a dry cloth and polish the outside in circular motions, then buff dry with a second cloth. Dry cookware immediately after every wash and it stays looking new.

What not to do

• Don't use steel wool on non-stick or polished finishes.
• Don't put a hot pot under cold water.
• Don't leave acidic food standing in a stainless pot overnight — it pits the surface.
• Don't use oven cleaner on aluminium pots; it discolours the metal.