How to Clean a Stained Pot Using Amparo's Magic Method

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Clean a Stained Pot Using Amparo's Magic Method

How to Clean a Stained Pot Using Amparo's Magic Method

Amparo showed me how she cleans stained pots and told me I could share it with you! So simple! Who knew?!

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Step 1 of 17
I didn't take a photo of my burnt pan. But I found this photo online that more or less captured what it looked like. Only mine was worse. And greasy. Yuk!

I didn't take a photo of my burnt pan. But I found this photo online that more or less captured what it looked like. Only mine was worse. And greasy. Yuk!

Step 2 of 17
Then Amparo came over, took one look at the pan and started to work her magic. I whipped out my iPhone & opened my Snapguide app. "Can I tell the world?" I pleaded. She laughed and said "of course!"

Then Amparo came over, took one look at the pan and started to work her magic. I whipped out my iPhone & opened my Snapguide app. "Can I tell the world?" I pleaded. She laughed and said "of course!"

Step 3 of 17
First she generously sprinkled Comet cleanser onto the pan.

First she generously sprinkled Comet cleanser onto the pan.

Step 4 of 17
Then she added water and brought the mixture to a boil on the stove.

Then she added water and brought the mixture to a boil on the stove.

Step 5 of 17

That's Amparo talking (and laughing) as she swirls the pan around over the heat of the stove. Translation: "I'm moving the pan. See, it all disappeared. On burnt pans, they end up really pretty."

Step 6 of 17
The stains disappeared right before my eyes! Thank you Amparo!

The stains disappeared right before my eyes! Thank you Amparo!

Step 7 of 17
But wait! What about the bottom and sides of the pan with all those ugly stains? Amparo laughed again and asked me if I had any oven cleaner. Oven cleaner?!?!

But wait! What about the bottom and sides of the pan with all those ugly stains? Amparo laughed again and asked me if I had any oven cleaner. Oven cleaner?!?!

Step 8 of 17
Well, yes I do.

Well, yes I do.

Step 9 of 17
Put the pan on some newspaper in a well ventilated area. That means open up the windows! This stuff is poison! My apologies to the planet. 😥

Put the pan on some newspaper in a well ventilated area. That means open up the windows! This stuff is poison! My apologies to the planet. 😥

Step 10 of 17
Spray the oven cleaner on the bottom of the pan.

Spray the oven cleaner on the bottom of the pan.

Step 11 of 17

A few hours later...

Step 12 of 17
I use a piece of paper towel to check our progress. Progress!!!

I use a piece of paper towel to check our progress. Progress!!!

Step 13 of 17
Now I wipe/scrub/scour . . . Ok, so some "elbow grease" is required too.

Now I wipe/scrub/scour . . . Ok, so some "elbow grease" is required too.

Step 14 of 17
It's starting to look like a work of abstract art…

It's starting to look like a work of abstract art…

Step 15 of 17
Ok, I'm done. Decided to leave some of the stain because it gives the pot character. Plus I got tired of scrubbing. 😜

Ok, I'm done. Decided to leave some of the stain because it gives the pot character. Plus I got tired of scrubbing. 😜

Step 16 of 17
At least it's quite an improvement over how it was. Remember?!?!

At least it's quite an improvement over how it was. Remember?!?!

Step 17 of 17
Ta da! My pan is clean! Note the design on the sides. I forgot it even had this -  they were hidden under the stain! ¡Gracias, Amparo! You rock!

Ta da! My pan is clean! Note the design on the sides. I forgot it even had this - they were hidden under the stain! ¡Gracias, Amparo! You rock!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Bay Area, California USA
I love to create! All kinds of things. Food, crafts, jewelry, art, photos, theater, events, history, social justice. My proudest creation is my daughter!

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31 Comments
Supplies

Dirty pot

Comet or other powdered cleanser

Water

Oven Cleaner

Felicia Gustin

Thanks Claudio!

(author) 5 days ago

Claudio Claudio

Hey Felicia, really a funny and useful guide! ;) Claudio

Claudio Claudio 5 days ago

Felicia Gustin

It IS toxic which is why I created another guide on how to clean pots using a non-toxic method. That would be better for you especially since you have asthma. Thanks for you comments!

(author) 4 weeks ago

Tatiane Silva

the chlorine on the smoke that forms when heating the pan. That's even worst! But oh well, it really cleans, so I use it sometimes. I'm gonna try the bake in soda with vinegar thing. Thank you!!

Tatiane Silva 4 weeks ago

Tatiane Silva

it cleans very well. I use that powder to clean up my sink too in 2 minutes. The only problem is that It makes me really short of breath as I have asthma. You can see

Tatiane Silva 4 weeks ago

Dax Balladares

The bottom is very helpful as I have never been able to clean the bottoms well enough !! Gracias!

Dax Balladares 3 months ago

Amanda Greensworth

Felicia, great idea!!

Amanda Greensworth 8 months ago

Felicia Gustin

Thanks for all the non toxic suggestions - I'm going to update this guide to include those rather than promote a method that isn't so good for people or the planet.

(author) 8 months ago

Amanda Greensworth

Good to know, thanks Maureen! :)

Amanda Greensworth 8 months ago

Maureen Uebelhoer

Another reason this method isn't the safest is according to the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for Comet when it is heated gives off chlorine gas. Chlorine gas is very dangerous and can cause problems with the respiratory system.

Maureen Uebelhoer 8 months ago

Maureen Uebelhoer

Amanda, I agree the the method you suggest works very well. This is the method I use.

Maureen Uebelhoer 8 months ago

Amanda Greensworth

Felicia, to add to that non toxic alternative idea, use some soda, water and white distilled vinegar in a dirty pot and let it heat and boil for a few minutes. But I warn you! Stay close by!! - once it starts boiling, it has a tendency to really fizz. If it will help you not get side tracked on doing the dishes, take a stirring spoon and kind of play in the water, using the spoon or spatula to help remove some of the gunk. (this is especially helpful if your pan handles have the screw thingie inside of the pot) If you have a stove top where you can remove the burners and clean the metal piece (the "drip pan" - I guess you could call it - that catches all the over flowing liquid from the boiling water and always gets stained) put these "drip pans" in a pot of these 3 ingredients!!! The baking soda cleans, and the vinegar cuts the grease. I discovered this idea a few weeks ago when I didn't want to clean the skillet from that morning that we used for scrambled eggs.

Amanda Greensworth 8 months ago

Bridget Emery

Wow, I never knew all of this either, thank you for sharing and for Amparo for the info also!! I am going to get cracking at a few of my pans =)

Bridget Emery 9 months ago

Sue Janeway

I bet you don't want to cook with that pot after all that scrubbing 😜😝

Sue Janeway 9 months ago

Sue Janeway

Yup 😄

Sue Janeway 9 months ago

Felicia Gustin

Thanks for all your comments! Ain't Snapguide fun?!?!

(author) 9 months ago

Jane From KY

Great thank you.

Jane From KY 10 months ago

Nikki Ward

I love the idea - cant wait for the recipe

Nikki Ward 10 months ago

Joy Poulos

Baking soda and a little scrubbing will clean too if you don't want to use cleanser

Joy Poulos 10 months ago

Tim Bradnick

Hmm

Tim Bradnick 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

@ Maureen - thanks so much for the non-toxic alternative! I've tried baking soda before but not with vinegar so will definitely try this.

(author) 10 months ago

Maureen Uebelhoer

The pot's lool great but both of those items are toxic. If you are looking for something that works great at removing stains you can put baking soda on the area you want to clean and then pour some vinegar on it. Just a warning it will fizz.

Maureen Uebelhoer 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

Yes Lorena - pupusas! Can't wait to get that guide up, especially because I want to make these myself. Often! 😍

(author) 10 months ago

Lorena Jimenez

Omg! Thank you to both of you! I think you mean pupusas. And I'd love you both even more if you did a guide and showed me how to make pupusas de chicharrón💗😍

Lorena Jimenez 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

@ Tabasom - Comet is an all purpose powdered cleanser. Comet is the brand but I know there are many other brands. Hopefully you have one where you live that will also work.

(author) 10 months ago

Felicia Gustin

I met Amparo through some old friends so she is a new friend! She hails from El Salvador and has promised me that she's going to show me how to make papusas (one of my favorite things in the world!) and she says I can share it with my Snapguide friends! Stay tuned!

(author) 10 months ago

Tabasom Sam

Perfect guide. But what is comet? What should i loik for when i whant to buy it?

Tabasom Sam 10 months ago

Amalia Mesa-Gustin

Who IS Amparo, mommy lol

Amalia Mesa-Gustin 10 months ago

Sweet Rose

who's Amparo?

Sweet Rose 10 months ago

Allicious !

Perfect ! I love Amparo 😍

Allicious ! 10 months ago

Ellie Kneeland

Very fun n cute. I told my husband earlier "this stupid pan won't come clean!" He replied, "just throw it away then." Haha! Now I don't have to! Thank u both!

Ellie Kneeland 10 months ago

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Sue Janeway

I guess I little character is ok 😄

Sue Janeway 9 months ago

Sue Janeway

Loooool 😂

Sue Janeway 9 months ago

Elena Diaz

Lol!

Elena Diaz 10 months ago

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Cynthia Harris

Who would have thought!

Cynthia Harris 4 months ago

Bridget Emery

Wow!!

Bridget Emery 9 months ago