Help! Old himers has set in!

[Laurie in Bradenton]

I was given a box of pots and pans for a charity I work with someone let stuff burn (really bad) in the bottom of them. Have soaked and used oven cleaner and scrubed with brillo. Still have black gunk on the bottom of one sauce pan and frying pan. Know theres a trick but can't remember it. Help!!!
Want to get these things cleaned up to pass on to someone who can really use them. Still have alot of wear in them good copper bottom brand. Cleaned up bottom but still need to get the last out of the inside.:confused: :confused: :confused:
Laurie in Bradenton

[baxjul]

Have you tried to boil water, then turn it off and put in 1 or 2 fabric softener sheets and let them sit for a while? That might work to loosen it up.

[Darlene]

Good one Julie, here's another~

For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food: pour a thick layer of soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean next day.

[Gabe]

Boil vinegar directly on it. It will not smell good when boiling it but it should help removing the burned marks. Let me know how it works out.

I used vinegar on cooking grills in restaurants.

[Edna_E]

I'm big on the dryer sheets trick. It doesn't work on all types of burnt food, but it does on a lot. Are they just plain metal pans? If so you could even resort to small grit sandpaper.

[Cricketlegs]

Barkeepers friend will take it off. That is how I got it off my good stainless cookwear when nothing else would work.

Also, Cameo is a cheaper version of barkeepers friend and it works just as well.

I keep a can all the time in the house. Looks like ajax but much much better! Cleans alot of things around the house.