Scouring Powders

Removing burnt food from cookware can be a nightmare.  As long as the pan isn’t non-stick, the scouring powder below will work beautifully, and because they are natual ingredients, you won’t have to worry about residual chemicals.  Just add 1 cup of salt to 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda and belnd well.  Store in a covered container with your other cleaning supplies.

When you need to use it, shake a little onto a wet cloth and scour as usual.  You’ll find your pots and pans come up sparkling clean!  Below are some alternative techniques …

• Before you start doing the dishes, wet the burnt spot, sprinkle with salt, leave for 10 mins and scrub well.
• Try cooking off the burnt food – fill the pan with water, add 2tbsp bicarbonate of soda and simmer over a medium eat.  Use a spatula to scrape the food from the pan.  Allow the water to cool to room temperature and clean as usual.
• For badly burnt pans, sprinkle a thick layer of bicarbonate of soda and then just enough water to moisten.  Leave to soak overnight and then scrub clean.
• For non-stick pans, make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water.  Transfer to a cloth and scrub the pan gently.  This lifts the grease and removes odours but won’t harm the coating.
• You can also use the above with baking trays, roasting tins and microwave turntables (use 4 parts water to 1 part white vinegar).
• If your pans are aluminium, mis some cream of tartare with enough boiling water to make a paste and apply.

Taken from “Grandmother’s Wisdom” by Lee Faber