It is popular for a reason, but it is not magic. For a stainless-steel pan with stubborn burnt food, add equal parts water and white vinegar, enough to cover the affected area. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn off the heat. After removing the liquid, sprinkle baking soda over the remaining residue. The two ingredients will fizz when they meet. Let the reaction settle before gently working on the loosened residue with a non-scratch sponge.
The important point is that the heat and soaking do much of the heavy lifting. The fizz itself should not be treated as a miracle cleaning reaction that dissolves all burnt food instantly.
