Burnt saucepan - advice please.

[Unfitmother]

Came home from work on Christmas day to find DH asleep on the settee, dcs covered in choclate and a smell on burning coming from the kitchen.
One of my Le Creuset saucepans now has a thick black layer at the bottom and I don't know what to do with it. Someone suggested bicarbonate of soda which I've tried but wasn't really sure how to use it. I covered the black area with it added hot water to make it into a paste and left it for a couple of hours. With the help of a lot of elbow grease it did make a difference round the edges and the sides but I'm still left with a large circle of black at the bottom of the pan.
Any suggestions please?

I've used biological washing powder with success in these circumstances - trying leaving it to soak overnight. Good luck!

Wouldn't you know it, I've only got non-bio! (DS has excema) I'll go to the shops tomorrow.
Should I add water?

I have the same set and burnt the bottom of the pan black.

I kept using the pan - each use also helps to lift the black - cooking things like spag bog sauce.

After three months it is nearly back to normal - at the price they are I wasn't goning to throw it out!!

Try a dishwasher tablet (if you have a dishwasher) in water, soak overnight.

Or soda crystals - again, add water and soak overnight.

Rhubarb is often recommended - stewing some in water in the pan is apparently really good for getting burned stains off ... just don't eat the rhubarb afterwards!

Or try the bicarb again, but leave the paste overnight, not just a couple of hours. Made into a paste is fine.

I always (note the always) use neat bleach overnight. It brings it up good as new.

Then, boil some water in it to get the bleach out.

Put some white vinegar in the pan to cover the bottom and boil for about 5 minutes.

Thanks!
As you say, they're a bit pricey to throw out and a bit too heavy to hit DH with!

use biological washing powder and simmer on the hob for 30 mins ( advice from Meyer)

Message withdrawn

LOL

Sure I saw Kim and Aggie boiling Coke in a saucepan once to get burnt stuff off

Dishwasher powder is a miracle. Soak overnight with some water. Then scrub with soap pads (wire wool). Works a treat, esp on le Creuset.

For less bad bake ons, you also can't beat that spray on Fairy in the green bottle (Ainsley Harriot does the ads).

Watching thread with interest as I am a Master at Cremating food

Currently have a le Creuset needing TLC after the last Beef Stew I made.

DP always laughs at my prowess at turning pot bottoms black, It's quite a skill you know, almost an art form.......

Am sure I saw Kim and Aggie rub raw potato onto an old saucepan once, and it came up great. Think it was more rust, than burnt on food though. Could be worth a try. Or is there any hints on the Le Creuset website?

DH here, thought I might just add in my defence the kids were very happy...they had worn me out!!!