Simmer baking soda water to loosen burnt-on food

Yes, but it takes a little patience — not elbow grease.

The trick is to stop scrubbing the burnt layer directly. You need to dissolve the bond between food and pan. Fill the pan with enough water to cover the burnt area, add a couple tablespoons of baking soda, and bring it to a simmer. Let it bubble for 10–15 minutes — do not boil dry. The heat and alkaline water will soften the carbonized layer without damaging most pans.

Turn off the heat, let it cool enough to handle, then scrape with a wooden spatula or a plastic scraper. The burnt bits should slide off in sheets. If a few stubborn spots remain, make a paste of baking soda and a little water, spread it on, and let it sit for 15 minutes before another gentle scrub.

This works for stainless steel, enamel, ceramic, and even glass stovetops (carefully). Avoid this method on seasoned cast iron — that needs a different approach (salt scrub or oven cleaner).

If the pan is non-stick and the coating is burnt, you might just be scrubbing Teflon. In that case, replace the pan — the coating is compromised and not worth saving.