Recently, while making risotto, I got distracted for just a few seconds (maybe one full minute!), and the next thing I knew there was a thick layer of burnt food stuck to the bottom of the pot. No amount of elbow grease was able to take out these stains. So, I tried something new that I read about in Cook's Illustrated: baking soda and white vinegar.
First, fill the pot or pan two inches high with water. Then, add a quarter cup of baking soda and a quarter cup of distilled white vinegar. Now, bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit until cooled. Then, drain the water and clean the pot as you normally would. If there's any burnt food left, repeat the process.
You can also do a similar technique using dish washing liquid. Fill the pot with water and add one to two tea spoons of dish washing liquid. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Then, cover the pot, turn off the heat and leave the pot to soak for 30 minutes. Personally, I find the baking soda and white vinegar technique more efficient.
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