Cleaning pots
I am notorious for not fully “deglazing” my pans and having stains. It bothers Steve (and me to a degree – they are clean, just stained). Tonight, for example, I burned the bottom layer of beans in a pot.
Fill a clean, stained pan with water as high as you can. Add a chunk of rhubarb to the pot and bring to a boil. Boil for about 10 minutes, or until the stains are gone, adding more water as necessary so it doesn’t run dry.
To treat just a discoloured spot on an aluminum pot or pan take a lemon that has already been used (squeezed) and sprinkle a little baking soda on it. Rub the lemon half on the stain until it disappears, or add a little warm water and let it soak in the lemon and baking soda mixture. It will stop bubbling, but it seems to keep cleaning anyways. This method is fantastic for tea cups with stains!
