911 for a charred pot

Before: a charred mess
of a chili pot

Maybe it's my approach to cooking.  For one thing, perhaps smoking hot isn't the best temperature for every food.  For another, when food is bubbling away, maybe it would help to peek under the lid once in awhile...maybe a little stir would help.  Whatever it is, I find myself trying to repair a mess of charred crust on the bottom of my pots now and then. If you have a beloved pot with charred food on the bottom don't despair,  this no-fail method will get your pot back on the cooking line fast.

After: ready for the next fire

• Fill the ruined pot with water ... 3/4 full is a good start
• Add a generous handful of baking soda
• Cover and heat to boiling
• Turn down the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes
• Use a heat-proof spatula to scrape the bottom while it simmers
• Empty the mess into the sink and fill with HOT water
• Scrub the remaining black crust with baking soda using a scratch-proof scrubbing pad (like the back of a blue sponge)
• Rinse and repeat if necessary.