285922 Mon Jun 19 14:04:29 -0700 2006 5 31 Home Cooking 0 1532553 Cynthia, you are a genius! Last Friday I let my stainless-steel pot boil dry while steaming asparagus, and it was thoroughly covered in carbon. I asked this board for help, and Cynthia suggested that I let the pot soak in very hot tap water and a couple of Bounce fabric softener sheets. This morning, every speck of the burnt-on black soot could be wiped off with the Bounce sheets! Other than a very faint haze on the sides (that the next tomato sauce will no doubt pull off), my pan is good as new, with no elbow grease required! Hounds, take note. Cynthia, thank you so much. What kind of cookies shall I make for you? Mon Jun 19 14:04:29 -0700 2006 0 heidipie 1 1532588 and no elbow grease! I like happy endings! The next time I see you, bring your "favorite" cookies, please. Mon Jun 19 16:32:56 -0700 2006 1532553 0 Cynthia 1 1532591 I could have used this advice 2 weeks ago when I burned the heck out of my beautiful new stockpot steaming away a huge artichoke. Thought the house smelled funny when I walked in. My husband scoured the pan, and successfully removed the carbon- but I heard about it!! No taste residue? The dryer sheet aroma can be so overwhelmingly thick. Hope I never have to use this tip!! Mon Jun 19 16:42:03 -0700 2006 1532553 0 JalamaMama 1 1532802 This is so exciting, you almost make me want to run to the stove this very moment and burn the hell out of a pot! Tue Jun 20 16:48:33 -0700 2006 1532553 0 Niki Rothman 1 1706484 This is so Awesome & impt. I just emailed it to the Readers' Tips section of Fine Cooking so it can be widely shared. They used to give out cool prizes, but it seems increasingly like the quality is going downhill, so Cynthia will see.... Wed Jun 21 22:12:58 -0700 2006 1532553 0 Mangoes 1 1721394 oh wow, where was this tip when my husband left a pot of congee on the stove until the incineration point? --that pan STILL has black on it [and he is so in the dog house as it was one of my steel lined copper pans from france] I'll have to buy some Bounce and try it. Do you think it would work with plain old fabric softener? Had adding to the trash with those annoying sheets. Fri Jun 30 18:51:40 -0700 2006 1532553 10505 jenn