Thank You

[Mairzydotes]

A couple of days ago I asked for ideas on cleaning my stainless steel preserving pan which had a heavily 'crusted' base after making chutney.
I tried both the soaking in salt, and the vinegar suggestions with no success.
At bedtime last night I put in two dishwasher tablets, covered in boiling water, and left to steep.
This morning I was able to scrape away a lot of the carbon (?) with the back of a plastic washing up brush. Then I put un two more tablets, covered with boiling water (just) and boiled for about 10 minutes.
Eureka - every bit came away, leaving the pan like new.
I washed it thoroughly in hot water and Fairy liquid to make sure nothing remained.
Nothing left, and no scratches on my pan.
Thank you for those who suggested this solution. I have emailed it to all my preserve-making friends, and to those who - like me - occasionally forget they have something cooking on the hob when busy with other things.

[Old_Geezer]

Glad you found something that worked. I have seen the advice that boiling water/washing powder for a while on the hob also works.

[dance2trance]

It is horrid but it works. Ladies' hair colouring goo. Mix it in the pan top up with hot water to cover burned parts and leave it alone for a couple of days, or cook rhubarb in pan anything acidic. I did this when stainless pan got encrusted with burned pop corn. Worked a treat.