From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y


Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3
potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which seems
a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
This is as bad as it can get, but don't bet on it
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3 >potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which seems
a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon >dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

Personally I find wire wool works very well, and over the years
has still left my pans clean, shiny and rust-free. However,
Google reckons it is a bad idea.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK
chris@cdixon.me.uk @ChrisJDixon1

Plant amazing Acers.
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 10:48, Jeff Gaines wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3 potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Ah...

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which
seems a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

What is 'burnt'? limescale responds to citric or acetic acid. Lemon or vinegar. Try that first. If it fizzes then carry on till it stops.
Then use a layer of hot bleach and boil the pan. That will at least make
it *look* better.
If there is anything left your only option is abrasives. Stainless
steel, wire wool, fine grit wet-and-dry, metal polish, T-cut, vim-like scouring powders.

Of course if its a non stick saucepan simply throw it away and buy
stainless steel instead.

You can use a drill to mount a pad and make abrasives easier to use.
--
rCLI know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most
obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleagues, which
they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by thread, into the fabric of their lives.rCY

rCo Leo Tolstoy

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 11:24, Chris J Dixon wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3
potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which seems >> a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon
dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

Personally I find wire wool works very well, and over the years
has still left my pans clean, shiny and rust-free. However,
Google reckons it is a bad idea.

Google reckons its better to die of cold than heat your home.

Google can fuck right off.

Chris

--
rCLwhen things get difficult you just have to lierCY

rCo Jean Claud J|+ncker

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

white vinegar and bicarb which seems a bit pointless as it just forms
forms water, sodium acetate and carbon dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

People say the same about homemade rust removal solutions, but the
acetate does act as a chelating agent ... maybe it works on burnt gunge?
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 11:39, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 13/10/2025 10:48, Jeff Gaines wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3
potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Ah...

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which
seems a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and
carbon dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

What is 'burnt'?

Potato / starch / carbon usually.

If there is anything left your only option is abrasives. Stainless steel, wire wool, fine grit wet-and-dry, metal polish, T-cut, vim-like scouring powders.

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Mon, 10/13/2025 5:48 AM, Jeff Gaines wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3 potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which seems a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

https://www.all-clad.com/blog/post/cleaning-and-caring-for-stainless-steel

"How to Remove Stains and Burnt Food from Stainless Steel?

For those challenging cooking mishaps, create a paste using baking soda and water.
Apply this mixture to burnt areas and wait for 5-10 minutes while it works its magic.
A non-abrasive sponge will help lift away the residue.
"

They also have their own cleaning product they're selling :-)

https://www.all-clad.com/cleaner-and-polish-12-ounce.html

Feldspar, Quartz, Sodium Bisulfate

From Wiki:

"Sodium bisulfate is used primarily to lower pH. It is also used
in metal finishing, cleaning products,[2] and to lower the pH of water
for effective chlorination in swimming pools and hot tubs.[3]
Sodium bisulfate is also AAFCO approved as a general-use feed additive,
including use in poultry feed[4] and companion animal food.[5] It is
used as a urine acidifier to reduce urinary stones in cats.[6]"

I'm sure the cat is pretty happy about that article.

Paul


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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 12:16, Nick Finnigan wrote:

What is 'burnt'?

Potato / starch / carbon usually.

If so, then I wonder if an apparently extreme solution might work where
others don't. Just sprinkle the burnt area with a thin layer of
potassium nitrate and gently heat it. As it melts and decomposes at
400-#C it should oxidise whatever is burnt on to just CO2. Only KNO2
should be left, and that is soluble in water. Stainless steel is
essentially unaffected by KNO3, but how would the saucepan get on with
the 400-#C required?

Anyone got an old SS saucepan they'd like to try this on? :-)
--
Jeff
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 17:06, Jeff Layman wrote:

On 13/10/2025 12:16, Nick Finnigan wrote:

What is 'burnt'?

-a-a Potato / starch / carbon usually.

If so, then I wonder if an apparently extreme solution might work where others don't. Just sprinkle the burnt area with a thin layer of potassium nitrate and gently heat it. As it melts and decomposes at 400-#C it should oxidise whatever is burnt on to just CO2. Only KNO2 should be left, and
that is soluble in water. Stainless steel is essentially unaffected by
KNO3, but how would the saucepan get on with the 400-#C required?

Anyone got an old SS saucepan they'd like to try this on? :-)

Yes, thanks. Would a sprinkle of sulphur help ?

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 11:24, Chris J Dixon wrote:

Jeff Gaines wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3
potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which seems >> a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon
dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

Personally I find wire wool works very well, and over the years
has still left my pans clean, shiny and rust-free. However,
Google reckons it is a bad idea.

Chris

Soak with Soda crystals/Hot water overnight

https://home.bargains/product/c19fff35-8a3e-4ec7-bd56-78eb7e8d70f7/dp-soda-crystals-1kg

You can soft SS pan scourers

https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/simply-everyday-stainless-steel-scourers-8pk-368276

Combine two or tree together works better than trying to use just one.
--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:48:15 +0000, Jeff Gaines wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3
potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which
seems a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and
carbon dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

Back in the day, rhubarb leaves boiled in water were used to clean pans.
I have no idea how effective this is compared to the other suggestions.

Cheers



Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13 Oct 2025 09:48:15 GMT, "Jeff Gaines" <jgnewsid@outlook.com>
wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3 >potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which seems
a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon >dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

When I burned the soup, I soaked the pan then used Cif (formerly Jif)
and a non-stick scouring pad. I had to repeat the exercise a few times
but was ultimately successful.
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

"Jeff Gaines" <jgnewsid@outlook.com> Wrote in message:r

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3 potatoes for dinner.What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which seems a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.-- Jeff Gaines Dorset UKThis is as bad as it can get, but don't bet on it

If the internet is to be believed it should probably be apple
cider vinegar and organic bicarb. ;-)

Utterly amazes me the frequency with which bicarb/vinegar
combination is recommended.

If the steel is discoloured due to overheating then you probably
can't do anything about it, otherwise, just go at it with any
handy abrasive. Powdered pumice preparations seem pretty good if
you don't want to risk damage.

Tim
--
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 17:06, Jeff Layman wrote:

On 13/10/2025 12:16, Nick Finnigan wrote:

What is 'burnt'?

-a-a Potato / starch / carbon usually.

If so, then I wonder if an apparently extreme solution might work where others don't. Just sprinkle the burnt area with a thin layer of
potassium nitrate and gently heat it. As it melts and decomposes at
400-#C it should oxidise whatever is burnt on to just CO2. Only KNO2
should be left, and that is soluble in water. Stainless steel is
essentially unaffected by KNO3, but how would the saucepan get on with
the 400-#C required?

Anyone got an old SS saucepan they'd like to try this on? :-)

with SS I simply soak and scour
--
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and
wrong.

H.L.Mencken

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 17:51, David wrote:

On Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:48:15 +0000, Jeff Gaines wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3
potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which
seems a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and
carbon dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

Back in the day, rhubarb leaves boiled in water were used to clean pans.
I have no idea how effective this is compared to the other suggestions.

It's reasonbly good for limescale as are all organic acids

Bounces of any hardened fats. Bleach is best fir that - better th n soda
or bicarb. Soifium hydroxide best of course if yu can get it

IME once you have hit stuff with acid, and strong alkali the only
recoursee is scouring
--
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and
wrong.

H.L.Mencken

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 18:45, tim+ wrote:

"Jeff Gaines" <jgnewsid@outlook.com> Wrote in message:r

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3 potatoes for dinner.What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which seems a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.-- Jeff Gaines Dorset UKThis is as bad as it can get, but don't bet on it

If the internet is to be believed it should probably be apple
cider vinegar and organic bicarb. ;-)

Utterly amazes me the frequency with which bicarb/vinegar
combination is recommended.

People love their 'organic' bollox. I'm old school A level chemistry,
Swing that Ph Pendulum and then hit it with abrasives

If the steel is discoloured due to overheating then you probably
can't do anything about it, otherwise, just go at it with any
handy abrasive. Powdered pumice preparations seem pretty good if
you don't want to risk damage.

Often discolouration is a surface layer that can be burnished out
--
There is something fascinating about science. One gets such wholesale
returns of conjecture out of such a trifling investment of fact.

Mark Twain

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 17:31, Nick Finnigan wrote:

On 13/10/2025 17:06, Jeff Layman wrote:

On 13/10/2025 12:16, Nick Finnigan wrote:

What is 'burnt'?

-a-a Potato / starch / carbon usually.

If so, then I wonder if an apparently extreme solution might work where
others don't. Just sprinkle the burnt area with a thin layer of potassium
nitrate and gently heat it. As it melts and decomposes at 400-#C it should >> oxidise whatever is burnt on to just CO2. Only KNO2 should be left, and
that is soluble in water. Stainless steel is essentially unaffected by
KNO3, but how would the saucepan get on with the 400-#C required?

Anyone got an old SS saucepan they'd like to try this on? :-)

Yes, thanks. Would a sprinkle of sulphur help ?

Just a dash, perhaps. Then again, it would remove some of the KNO3
before it got to the carbon, so perhaps not. ;-)
--
Jeff
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 in message <xn0pbzojpo4b3az00i@news.individual.net> Jeff
Gaines wrote:

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my 3 >potatoes for dinner.

What I forgot was having less water it would dry out, and burn, in a
shorter period of time (you canna break the laws of physics).

Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white vinegar and bicarb which seems
a bit pointless as it just forms forms water, sodium acetate and carbon >dioxide, none of which has any cleaning power.

Many thanks for all the suggestions :-)

It wasn't too difficult in the end, it had soaked for 48 hours in washing
up liquid then a nylon scourer got a lot off. Then good old Brillo on the tough bits followed by a polish with Brasso and final wash in hot water/washing up liquid (rubber handle means can't go in dishwasher).

Have to remember to time it in future or go back to the big saucepan!
--
Jeff Gaines Dorset UK
The first five days after the weekend are the hardest.
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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:45:05 +0100 (GMT+01:00)
tim+ <timdownieuk@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

"Jeff Gaines" <jgnewsid@outlook.com> Wrote in message:r

Doing my bit for the environment I use a small saucepan to boil my
3 potatoes for dinner.What I forgot was having less water it would
dry out, and burn, in a shorter period of time (you canna break the
laws of physics).Any tips for cleaning it? Google says white
vinegar and bicarb which seems a bit pointless as it just forms
forms water, sodium acetate and carbon dioxide, none of which has
any cleaning power.-- Jeff Gaines Dorset UKThis is as bad as it can
get, but don't bet on it

If the internet is to be believed it should probably be apple
cider vinegar and organic bicarb. ;-)

Utterly amazes me the frequency with which bicarb/vinegar
combination is recommended.

If the steel is discoloured due to overheating then you probably
can't do anything about it, otherwise, just go at it with any
handy abrasive. Powdered pumice preparations seem pretty good if
you don't want to risk damage.

We've used this for some years:

https://barkeepersfriend.com/

I believe it is oxalic acid (someone mentioned rhubarb leaves) and a
fine abrasive.
--
Joe

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 13/10/2025 20:26, Jeff Gaines wrote:

It wasn't too difficult in the end, it had soaked for 48 hours in
washing up liquid then a nylon scourer got a lot off. Then good old
Brillo on the tough bits followed by a polish with Brasso and final wash
in hot water/washing up liquid (rubber handle means can't go in
dishwasher).

Brillo? Gosh. Haven't used that in years! Forgot they existed.

I do wash my stainless pans in the dishwasher, but only once the major
stuck on bits have been removed.
--
rCLIt is not the truth of Marxism that explains the willingness of intellectuals to believe it, but the power that it confers on
intellectuals, in their attempts to control the world. And since...it is futile to reason someone out of a thing that he was not reasoned into,
we can conclude that Marxism owes its remarkable power to survive every criticism to the fact that it is not a truth-directed but a
power-directed system of thought.rCY
Sir Roger Scruton

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From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

On 14/10/2025 09:58, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 13/10/2025 20:26, Jeff Gaines wrote:

It wasn't too difficult in the end, it had soaked for 48 hours in
washing up liquid then a nylon scourer got a lot off. Then good old
Brillo on the tough bits followed by a polish with Brasso and final
wash in hot water/washing up liquid (rubber handle means can't go in
dishwasher).

Brillo? Gosh. Haven't used that in years! Forgot they existed.

I do wash my stainless pans in the dishwasher, but only once the major
stuck on-a bits have been removed.

Yeah, but I'm the dishwasher in this household.
--
Regards
wasbit
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