The Best Way To Clean Wear-Ever Pans At Home

Keeping your pans clean and well-maintained is essential, especially if you want them to last for years. While some people might throw away burnt pans, there are actually many ways to clean them without too much scrubbing. The best method depends on the type of pan you have, but in general, a combination of baking soda, water, and vinegar is an effective way to remove burnt food and stains.

How to Clean Wear-Ever Pans

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean Wear-Ever pans with baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

The Deglazing Technique

• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Put the pan back on the stove and heat until a droplet of water sizzles.
• 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 more liquid for a larger pot or pan.
• As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the pan's bottom, loosening burnt food.
• Pour the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.
• Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and let the pan cool.
• Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously.
• Wash and dry the pan as usual once all stains and scorched bits have been removed.

The Baking Soda and Vinegar Method

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove from heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. This will cause a fizzing reaction, so it might be best to do this in the sink.
• Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling stop.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

General Tips:

• For stubborn stains on nonstick pans, boil a solution of 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/2 cup of water in the pan. Let the pan cool, then rinse the stain with straight baking soda and scrub with a nonstick-safe nylon brush.
• To clean cast iron pans, refrain from using water, soap, and acidic items like vinegar, as these can create rust and ruin the pan's seasoning. Instead, make a paste with baking soda and water, scrub with a stiff-bristle brush, rinse, and repeat if necessary.
• Always allow pots and pans to cool before washing them. Submerging or splashing hot stainless steel cookware with cold water can cause warping.
• Avoid using steel wool, scouring pads, oven cleaners, bleach, or strong abrasive cleaners, as these can scratch your cookware.
• Thoroughly dry your pans immediately after cleaning to prevent water spots and dried, white calcium spots from developing.

Lemon water

To clean your pans with lemon water, start by quartering two or three lemons and placing them in the pan. Then, fill the pan with a few inches of water and bring it to a boil for 5 to 10 minutes, or until you notice food particles floating to the surface. Turn off the heat and discard the lemon slices and water. Rinse the pan with hot water and use a scouring pad or brush to remove any remaining bits of food.

• For scorched stainless steel pans, simply add water and bring it to a boil for 5 to 7 minutes. The steam will help loosen the burnt food. Then, pour out the hot water and wipe away any remaining food with a sponge.
• To clean cast iron pans, avoid using abrasive sponges as they can ruin the seasoning. Instead, rinse the pan with hot or boiling water and use kosher salt, warm water, and a soft sponge to remove any residue.
• To prevent food from sticking to your pans in the first place, you can line them with aluminium foil, parchment paper, or wax paper. You can also use a non-stick cooking spray for certain recipes.

By using these cleaning methods and tips, you can effectively clean your pans, including removing burnt-on food and restoring their shine.

Dishwasher tablets

To clean Wear Ever pans with dishwasher tablets, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Inspect the pan for any baked-on or burnt food residue. If there is significant buildup, fill the pan with hot water and add a dishwasher tablet, allowing it to soak for 30 minutes to an hour or even overnight. If there is less residue, simply wet the pan with hot water.

Step 2: Apply the Dishwasher Tablet

For pans with less residue, wet the dishwasher tablet with warm water and start rubbing it on the bottom of the pan, focusing on the burnt areas. Wear gloves during this process. The tablet will begin to break down, and the water may need to be heated further to facilitate this. Scrub in circular motions, paying extra attention to heavily burnt sections.

Step 3: Rinse and Wash

After allowing the pan to sit for a few minutes, rinse it with hot, soapy water and wash as normal. For pans that were soaked, tip out the water and wipe and rinse the pan.

Additional Tips:

• This method is also effective for removing burnt-on honey from baking trays.
• For more mild cases of residue, it may be sufficient to simply wet the tablet and rub it over the burn marks, without requiring a full soak.
• Always wear gloves and ensure good ventilation when using cleaning products.
• Test the method on a small spot first to ensure it does not damage the pan's surface.

Salt

To clean your pans with salt, start by letting the pan cool down after cooking. Once cooled, add a bit of dish soap and, using a sponge, gently remove any food remnants, avoiding scourers to protect the non-stick coating. Rinse the pan thoroughly and pat it dry with a towel, ensuring no leftover moisture. Place the now-dry pan on your cooktop and turn the heat to high, letting it get hot. Once heated, evenly sprinkle table salt across the surface. Allow the salt to cook until it turns brown, which might take a few minutes. Using a wet paper towel, carefully wipe away the browned salt and discard it in the trash or sink. Finally, lightly rub a touch of cooking oil over the non-stick surface, restoring its smoothness.

Bar Keepers Friend

• Wet the surface of the pan: Run your dirty pan under hot water and drain.
• Make a paste: Sprinkle a few tablespoons of Bar Keepers Friend powder in the pan and add a small amount of water to form a paste.
• Apply the paste: Use a soft cloth or sponge to apply the paste to the pan in a circular motion from the center outward.
• Let it sit: Leave the paste on the pan for about 10 seconds to 1 minute. Do not let it sit for longer as it can cause discolouration and scratches.
• Rinse: Wash the pan in hot, soapy water and rinse thoroughly with hot water.
• Repeat if needed: For stubborn spots, repeat the process, or apply a small amount of Bar Keepers Friend directly to the spots and scrub.

Some important things to keep in mind when using Bar Keepers Friend:

• Always wear gloves to protect your skin.
• Do not mix with other cleaning products, especially bleach or ammonia, as it can create toxic fumes.
• Do not use on non-stick surfaces, cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces.
• Do not leave the product on un-rinsed as it may leave a white film.
• Do not use the product dry; always mix with water.

By following these steps and precautions, you can effectively clean your Wear Ever pans with Bar Keepers Friend, leaving them looking brand new!

Frequently asked questions