Boiling Water: An Effective Pan Cleaning Method?

Boiling water is one of many methods that can be used to clean burnt pans. Other methods include using a dishwasher tablet, lemons, baking soda and vinegar, dryer sheets, and aluminium foil.

Boiling water with vinegar and baking soda

Boiling water is an effective way to get burnt stuff off a pan, especially when combined with other cleaning agents like vinegar, baking soda, or dish soap.

Step 1: Boil Water and Vinegar

• Fill your burnt pan with water, ensuring that the water covers the bottom of the pan by about 1 inch (2.5 cm).
• Bring the water to a boil.
• Add 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar to the boiling water. The vinegar will help neutralise odours and loosen burnt-on food.

Step 2: Add Baking Soda

• Keep the pan in the sink to avoid messy overflows.
• Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of baking soda to the pan.
• The baking soda and vinegar will react and start to bubble and fizz.

Step 3: Let it Sit

• Allow the mixture to fizz for a few minutes while the pan cools down.
• The reaction between the vinegar and baking soda will help lift caked-on food residue.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Using a scouring sponge or the scouring side of a regular sponge, scrub the inside of the pan vigorously, focusing on stained or scorched areas.

Step 5: Rinse and Wash

• Empty the pan by discarding the mixture down the sink.
• Rinse the pan with hot water.
• Wash the pan with dish soap and a clean sponge or scrubber.
• Dry the pan with a clean dish towel.

Tips:

• If there are still stubborn stains or burnt-on food, create a baking soda paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and hot water.
• Scrub the pan with the paste using a scouring sponge.
• Rinse and wash the pan again.
• For cast iron pans, avoid using vinegar or other acidic substances as they can cause rust. Instead, use a combination of hot water, kosher salt, and a soft sponge to clean the pan.

This method is a natural, non-toxic, and affordable way to clean burnt pans. However, it may require some elbow grease and a good scouring pad for best results.

Using a dishwasher tablet

Boiling water can help to loosen burnt food in a pan, but it is not always effective, especially if the burnt residue is very hard. Here is a method you can try using a dishwasher tablet:

Firstly, cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it on low heat. Then, remove the pan from the heat source. Next, take a dishwasher tablet and rub it over the burnt areas of the pan. You may need to wear gloves for this step. The burnt-on food should start to come away from the pan.

Finally, rinse the pan with warm, soapy water and wash as normal. This method should leave your pan sparkling clean with minimal scrubbing required. It is worth noting that this method may be costly and is not the most environmentally friendly option, so it is best to only use it as a last resort.

Boiling lemons

Boiling water is an effective way to get burnt stuff off a pan. However, if the burnt residue is too thick, it may not be as effective. Here are some alternative methods that involve boiling lemons:

Method 1:

• Cut two to three lemons into quarters.
• Place the lemon pieces in the pan and add enough water to cover the lemons.
• Bring the water to a boil for five to ten minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface.
• Discard the lemons and rinse the pan.
• Use a scouring pad to remove any leftover residue.

Method 2:

• Cut two lemons into eights, or quarters, or slices.
• Add enough water to cover the burnt area of the pan.
• Bring the water to a boil.
• Once the water boils, the acid in the lemons will help to loosen the burnt residue.
• Let the water cool, then dump it out.
• Lightly scrub the pan with a brush to remove any remaining grime.
• Rinse the pan.

Other Tips:

• For extra shine, rub half a lemon around the bottom and sides of the pan after cleaning.
• Lemon juice can also be used with baking soda or vinegar for extra cleaning power.

Using aluminium foil and baking soda

Boiling water can help get burnt stuff off a pan, but only if it hasn't yet turned into a rock-hard, carbonized black residue.

If you're looking for a more intensive method to clean your burnt pans, you can try using aluminium foil and baking soda. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Rinse the Pan

First, rinse your burnt pot or pan with hot water to get rid of any initial grime.

Step 2: Make a Baking Soda Paste

Generously sprinkle 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the pan. Then, add a few teaspoons of hot water to create a paste. You want a consistency that's moist but not too liquid—similar to a sandy paste.

Step 3: Scrub with Aluminium Foil

Now, take a piece of aluminium foil and crumple it into a ball about the size of a chicken egg or golf ball. Use this foil ball to scrub the bottom of the pan. The baking soda and foil work together to effectively lift burnt-on food and stains.

Step 4: Rinse with Soapy Water

Once you've removed the burnt debris, rinse the pan with warm, soapy water to finish cleaning.

Tips and Precautions:

• This method works best for stainless steel and aluminum pans.
• Avoid using this method on coated surfaces like enamel or non-stick pans, as the abrasive nature of the foil may damage these coatings.
• If you need to touch up any remaining stains, you can make a thicker paste with more baking soda and water and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

This method is a quick and effective way to clean burnt pans without the need for harsh chemicals. It's also a great way to put extra pieces of aluminium foil to good use!

Soaking with laundry detergent

Step 1: Fill the Pan with Water and Laundry Detergent

Fill the burnt pan with water, ensuring that the water level is high enough to cover the burnt areas. Add a generous amount of laundry detergent to the water. The exact amount of detergent needed may vary depending on the size of the pan and the severity of the burnt residue.

Step 2: Bring the Mixture to a Boil

Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Allow the water and detergent mixture to come to a boil. This step will help to loosen the burnt-on food and grease.

Step 3: Let it Soak

Once the mixture reaches a boil, turn off the heat and let the pan sit for a while. The soaking time may vary depending on the severity of the burnt residue. For tougher, more stubborn stains, a longer soaking time may be required.

Step 4: Scrub and Rinse

After soaking, use a scouring pad, brush, or sponge to scrub away any remaining burnt-on food or residue. Rinse the pan thoroughly with hot water to remove any soap residue.

Additional Tips:

• For extremely burnt or stubborn residue, you may need to repeat the process or try using a combination of cleaning methods.
• Always exercise caution when handling hot water and cleaning products. Wear protective gloves if necessary.
• It is recommended to test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous portion of the pan first to ensure it doesn't damage the surface.
• Some methods suggest using natural alternatives such as lemons, baking soda, or vinegar. However, these methods may require more scrubbing and may not be as effective for tougher stains.
• For stainless steel pans, using a dishwasher tablet, aluminium foil, or a product like Bar Keepers Friend can be effective alternatives.
• For enamel pans, avoid acidic liquids like lemon juice or citric acid, as these can cause scratching.

Frequently asked questions