Trying to resurrect a pan (s/steel I think?) which is comprehensively caked in burnt-on residue (long story, don't ask). Think the pan is OK below the crud but a two-day soak and pan scrub is doing nothing. Should caustic soda be OK to use, or might the pan dissolve too? (Can't remember my 0-level chemistry!)
If it's not stainless steel might it be something else that might be adversely affected?
David