Tillie Doyle
Burnt pans are a common problem, but there are many ways to clean them using household items. One method involves using vinegar and baking soda, which can help break down burnt food and remove black residue. Another method is to use lemons, which can clean and shine stainless steel or copper cookware. For non-stick pans, it is important to avoid abrasive materials and instead use gentle sponges and dish soap. A more unusual method involves using tangerines, which are acidic and can help to break down burnt food.
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What You'll Learn
Dishwasher tablets
To use a dishwasher tablet to clean a burnt pan, start by covering the bottom of the pan with water and heating it for a moment. Then, remove the pan from the heat and use a gloved hand to scrape the dishwasher tablet over the burnt areas in small circles until the tablet starts to dissolve. The burnt-on food should come off immediately. Finally, rinse and wash the pan with warm, soapy water as normal.
This method is simple and effective, and it uses a household staple that most people already have. It is also a quick process, and it makes less mess than other methods. However, it can be a bit pricey, as you may need to use two tablets to clean one pan.
While dishwasher tablets are a great way to clean burnt pans, they may not work for all types of pans. For example, one person found that while the method worked well on a Raco pan, there were still some dark patches on their IKEA pan.
Overall, using a dishwasher tablet is a convenient and effective way to clean burnt pans, but it may not always produce perfect results. It is also important to wear gloves when using this method to protect your hands.
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Baking soda
To clean a burnt pan with baking soda, start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Next, make a baking soda paste by covering the burnt area with 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda and adding a bit of water. Use a scouring pad, a nylon scrub brush, or a scrunched-up ball of aluminium foil to scrub the baking soda paste around the pan until all food bits and stained areas are clean. Finally, rinse the pan with warm, soapy water and dry it.
Alternatively, you can try a boiling method. First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan and boil it for a bit to help loosen the burnt-on food. Next, add 1 cup of water or a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar to the hot pan and allow it to boil. Use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the bits of burnt food. Finally, add 1 cup of baking soda to the pan and let it fizz. Set the pot aside and wait for the fizzing to stop. Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scour sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary. Rinse the pan clean and dry it.
Another method that uses baking soda involves cutting a lemon in half and using the flesh side to scour the pan with a baking soda slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda will create a fizzing reaction that can help loosen burnt food. This method is especially good for pans with copper bottoms that have gotten blackened or tarnished.
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Soaking in hot water
Soaking a burnt pan in hot water is a great way to clean it without too much scrubbing. This method is particularly useful for non-stick pans, which can be easily damaged by harsher cleaning methods.
First, use paper towels to remove as much excess food and oil from the pan as possible while it is still warm. Then, fill the pan with hot water and leave it to soak. The hot water will help to lift away stubborn food and grease. If the burnt-on food is especially difficult to remove, you can add a cup of vinegar to the hot water. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Once the pan has soaked and the burnt spots have been rehydrated, dump the water and add dish soap to the pan. The dish soap will help to break down any remaining oil, grease, and food residue. Use the rough side of a dish sponge to scrub away any remaining burnt areas. Be sure to avoid using anything too abrasive, such as steel wool, as this can scratch and damage the coating on your pan.
If your pan is still visibly charred, you can try a mixture of white vinegar, water, and baking soda to help loosen and remove any remaining black residue. Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda over the bottom of the pan and cut a lemon in half. Use the flesh side of the lemon to scour the pan, combining the acidic lemon juice with the alkaline baking soda. This mixture may fizz slightly, which is a good sign as it indicates a chemical reaction that will help to break down the burnt residue.
Finally, rinse the pan clean and dry it thoroughly with paper towels. If your pan has a non-stick coating, it is important to avoid soaking it for too long, as this can damage the coating. Instead, fill the pan with warm water and dish soap and let it sit overnight before scrubbing and rinsing it clean.
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Deglazing with vinegar
Deglazing is a simple cooking technique that involves adding liquid to a hot pan, which allows all the caramelized bits stuck to the bottom to release. While deglazing is usually used to create a sauce or gravy, it can also be used to clean a burnt pan.
To deglaze with vinegar, first, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Next, pour equal parts water and vinegar into the pan, filling it with at least half an inch of liquid. Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening bits of burnt food.
After deglazing, add a cup of baking soda to the pan. This will create a fizzing reaction that helps further loosen burnt food. Once the fizzing stops, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Finally, rinse the pan clean and dry it.
While vinegar is an effective deglazing agent, it may not be the best option for non-stick pans. For these types of pans, a gentler approach, such as using a non-scratch sponge or a nylon brush with baking soda and water, is recommended.
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Bar Keepers Friend
To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by running your dirty pan under hot water and then draining it. Next, put on some rubber gloves and make a paste by rubbing a few tablespoons of the product together with the residual water in the pan. Spread the paste over the burnt areas and let it sit for at least 60 seconds. After that, use a damp sponge to scrub the pan in circular motions, without adding any extra water. Finally, rinse the pan thoroughly and go back with a small amount of Bar Keepers Friend to any spots that you missed.
While Bar Keepers Friend is a popular solution for cleaning burnt pans, some people have reported that it didn't work for them. For example, some users on Reddit stated that it didn't help with removing burnt-on oil around the rim of a stainless steel pan. However, others have had success using the product to clean their scorched and burnt pans, as evidenced by the many before-and-after photos shared by fans of the product.
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Frequently asked questions
Unfortunately, there is no evidence to support the use of tangerines to clean burnt pans. However, lemons, which are citrus fruits like tangerines, can be used. Chop them into quarters and add them to a pan of water. Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Once the pan is cool, wipe away any remaining deposits.
Oranges can be used in the same way as lemons. Cut an orange in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with a baking soda slurry. The combination of the acidic orange juice and alkaline baking soda will react and fizz.
One method is to boil water in the pan and add a couple of squirts of detergent. Use a plastic or wooden spoon to carefully scrape the food from the pan, then wash as normal. Another method is to use baking soda, which has mild abrasive properties and an alkaline pH that can help neutralize acidic burnt foods.
Baking soda can be used to clean pots and pans regularly and help prevent scorched stains or burnt-on residue. It can also be used to remove black, yellow, or rainbow oxidization stains and restore a burnt pan.
