Cleaning A Burned Pan: Easy And Effective Tricks

Burnt pans are a common problem for cooks of all skill levels, but there are several methods for cleaning them. Some popular approaches include using baking soda, vinegar, lemons, dishwasher tablets, dryer sheets, and even tinfoil. Each method varies in terms of time and effort required, and some are more suitable for certain types of pans than others. For example, non-stick pans require special care to avoid damaging the coating.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the pan

Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil vinegar

Fill the pan with enough water and vinegar in equal parts to cover the bottom of the pan. Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 3: Add baking soda

After the mixture has boiled for a minute, remove the pan from the heat and pour out the vinegar. Then, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the pan. The vinegar and baking soda will work independently to clean the pan, rather than creating a fizzy volcano.

Step 4: Scrub the pan

Use a scouring pad to scrub away any remaining burn marks on the bottom of the pan. Rinse the pan clean.

Alternative method:

Alternatively, you can try the following method:

Step 1: Boil water and vinegar

Add one cup of vinegar and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Bring this solution to the boil and remove from the heat.

Step 2: Add baking soda

Add two tablespoons of baking soda and leave it to work into the mixture for a few minutes until it starts to fizz.

Step 3: Scrub the pan

Wash the pan and use a scourer to scrub away any remaining burnt bits.

Tips:

• Be careful when mixing baking soda and vinegar as it can cause an explosive reaction. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water.
• This method may require a lot of elbow grease and additional ingredients.

Dishwasher tablets

First, cover the bottom of the burnt pan with a small amount of water and warm it up on low heat. Remove the pan from the heat source and carefully rub the dishwasher tablet over the burnt areas. The Finish Powerball deep clean tabs are a popular choice for this method, and it is recommended to keep the plastic coating on while scrubbing.

The warm water will help dissolve the tablet, and you may need to heat the water a bit more to get it working effectively. Scrub in circular motions, focusing on the burnt parts, and the grime should start to lift off. The water will turn dark as the burnt residue comes off the pan and onto the tablet.

After scrubbing with the tablet, let the pan sit for about 10 minutes. Then, wash the pan with hot, soapy water as you normally would. This method may not completely remove all the discolouration, but it will get rid of the burnt-on grime.

Boiled lemons

To clean a burnt pan using boiled lemons, start by cutting two or three lemons into quarters or slices. Place the lemon pieces in the pan and cover with a few inches of water. Bring the water to a boil and allow it to continue boiling for 5-10 minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface. Remove the pan from the heat and discard the lemons and dirty water. Rinse the pan with hot, clean water and use a scouring pad or brush to remove any remaining burnt-on bits.

This method is simple and effective, requiring very little scrubbing effort. It is also a great way to make use of leftover lemons.

For best results, use enough lemon pieces to cover the bottom of the pan. While the water is boiling, you should see the burnt specks coming off the bottom of the pan as the lemons move around. If there are any stubborn bits remaining after boiling, a light scrub with a brush or scouring pad and some dish soap should easily remove them.

This method is a great, natural alternative to using harsh chemicals to clean burnt pans.

Aluminium foil and baking soda

Step 1: Rinse the Pan

Rinse your dirty pan with hot water to remove any loose debris or remnants. This will help ensure that the cleaning process is more effective and efficient.

Step 2: Apply Baking Soda

Generously sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda onto the affected areas of the pan. The amount of baking soda you use will depend on the size and severity of the burnt areas. You want to make sure that all the burnt spots are covered.

Step 3: Add Water to Create a Paste

Add a small amount of hot water back into the pan. Just a few teaspoons should be enough. The water will react with the baking soda to form a paste. This paste will help lift the burnt residue and make it easier to scrub away.

Step 4: Scrub with Aluminium Foil

Now, take a piece of aluminium foil and crumple it into a ball. It should be roughly the size of a golf ball. Use this foil ball as a makeshift scrubber to work the baking soda paste into the burnt areas of the pan. Scrub vigorously until all the burnt debris is lifted. You may need to repeat this process a few times, depending on how badly burnt the pan is.

Step 5: Rinse and Wash

Once you've removed all the burnt residue, rinse the pan with warm, soapy water to remove any remaining paste and debris. Wash the pan as you normally would, using dish soap and a sponge or scrubber.

Additional Tips:

• It's important to note that this method may require some elbow grease, especially if the pan is severely burnt. Be prepared to scrub with some force, but always exercise caution to avoid damaging the pan's surface.
• You can also use a combination of baking soda and vinegar for a more intensive clean. After applying the baking soda paste, add a splash of vinegar to the pan and let it react. The fizzing action will help loosen burnt-on food.
• Always exercise caution when handling hot water and cleaning agents. Wear protective gloves if necessary.

Dryer sheets

If you've burnt your pan, don't worry – you can bring it back to life with dryer sheets, dish soap, and hot water.

First, add a few drops of dish soap to the pan. Then, pour in enough hot water to cover the burnt bits. You can also add boiling water, but be careful not to scald yourself. Next, add a dryer sheet to the water and push it down so that it's completely submerged. Let the pan sit for at least an hour, or even overnight for tougher jobs. Finally, rinse the pan with hot water and use the dryer sheet to scrub away any remaining burnt bits. They should easily flake off. If there are burn marks on the bottom of the pan, repeat the process, letting the pan sit in a few inches of water.

While there is no scientific evidence to support this method, it is believed that the conditioning properties of dryer sheets soften the hard scorches, making them easier to remove.

Please note that dryer sheets are single-use, pricey, and not environmentally friendly, so reserve this hack for only the toughest stains. Additionally, some people have expressed concerns about the chemicals in dryer sheets being unsuitable for human consumption, so be sure to thoroughly wash your pan with soap and water after cleaning it with a dryer sheet.

Frequently asked questions