Reviving Scorched Pans: Removing Scorch Marks Easily

Burnt pans are a common problem for cooks of all skill levels. Luckily, there are several ways to clean a scorched pan. One method involves filling the pan with water, adding dish soap, and boiling the mixture for 10 minutes. After the pan has cooled, scrub it with a sponge or brush. Another method involves boiling vinegar in the pan, adding baking soda, and scrubbing the pan after the fizzing stops. For non-stick pans, a mixture of baking soda and water can be applied and scrubbed off after a few hours.

Deglazing with vinegar, water and baking soda

Deglazing with vinegar, water, and baking soda to clean a scorched pan

The deglazing technique is a great way to clean a burnt pan. It involves using vinegar, water, and baking soda to loosen and remove burnt-on food and stains. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Remove burnt food and debris

Use a spatula or scraper to remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil water and vinegar

Place the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles. Add one cup of water or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to the hot pan and bring it to a boil. You can adjust the amount of liquid depending on the size of your pan.

Step 3: Deglaze the pan

As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the bits of burnt food.

Step 4: Discard the liquid

Pour the liquid down the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.

Step 5: Add baking soda

Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and let the pan cool. Baking soda has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralize acidic burnt foods.

Step 6: Scrub the pan

Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pan vigorously. The combination of vinegar and baking soda creates a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt-on food.

Step 7: Wash and dry the pan

Once all the stains and scorched bits have been removed, wash and dry the pan as you normally would.

Additional tips:

• For heavier-duty cleaning, you can add white vinegar to the pan, boil it, and let it simmer for a few minutes before adding the baking soda. This will help break down burnt-on food.
• If you have a cast iron pan, refrain from using water, soap, or acidic items like vinegar or lemon juice, as they can create rust and damage the pan's seasoning. Instead, create a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water to form a sandy paste. Scrub the pan with a stiff-bristle brush or scouring pad, then rinse and repeat if necessary. Finally, dry the pan and rub it with vegetable oil to re-season and restore its non-stick surface.
• Always exercise caution when handling hot pans and liquids to avoid burns.

Boiling water and dish detergent

Step 1: Fill the Pan with Warm Water

Add warm water to your scorched pan, ensuring that all the scorched areas are covered. It's a good idea to add an extra two to three inches of water, as some of it will evaporate when boiling. Make sure to dry off the bottom of the pan to prevent water from dripping onto the burner.

Step 2: Add Dish Detergent

Add three to four drops of your regular dish detergent to the water and swirl the mixture. For stubborn scorch marks, you can use dishwashing detergent instead—try a single tablet, a few drops of liquid, or one to two tablespoons of powder.

Step 3: Bring the Mixture to a Boil

Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat up to high. Let the mixture boil for around 10 to 15 minutes. This process helps loosen the debris from the bottom of the pan. Make sure it's boiling rather than just simmering—look out for large bubbles and constant steam.

Step 4: Cool and Scrub the Pan

After boiling, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool completely. This should take about 20 minutes. Once cool, discard the water and detergent mixture. The pan will already look cleaner at this stage. Now, scrub the pan with hot, soapy water to remove the burnt film and debris. You can use a sponge with plastic netting or a brush to scrub away the scorch marks without scratching the pan.

If there are any stubborn scorch marks, make a paste with baking soda and a few drops of water, apply it to the problem areas, and leave for 10 to 15 minutes before cleaning as usual.

Tips:

• For very stubborn scorch marks, consider using a dishwasher tablet. Cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it on low heat. Remove from the heat and scrape the tablet across the burnt areas. Finally, rinse and wash with warm soapy water.
• To save time on scrubbing, try using dryer sheets. Add a few drops of dish soap and some hot water to the pan, along with a dryer sheet, and let it sit for about an hour. Then, discard the dryer sheet and rinse the pan using a scouring pad and dish soap.

Using a dishwasher tablet

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Place a small amount of water in the bottom of the scorched pan. Turn on the stove and heat the pan on low heat. This initial step helps to loosen any burnt-on food or grease.

Step 2: Scrape with a Dishwasher Tablet

Once the water is hot but not boiling, remove the pan from the heat source. Take a dishwasher tablet and, with a gloved hand, begin scraping it over the scorched areas of the pan. The coarse texture of the powdered tablet will help lift and dissolve the burnt-on food. You may need to use more than one tablet if the stains are particularly stubborn.

Step 3: Rinse and Wash

After scraping away the burnt bits, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining food particles and detergent residue. Finally, wash the pan with warm, soapy water to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned.

Alternative Method: Overnight Soak

If you are not in a hurry, there is another effective method using a dishwasher tablet. Place the scorched pan on the stove, add half a dishwasher tablet and some water, then bring it to a boil. Once the solution starts to simmer, turn off the heat and let the pan sit overnight. The combination of hot water and detergent will work to loosen and lift the burnt-on food and stains. In the morning, simply wash and rinse the pan as usual.

Tips for Using Dishwasher Tablets:

• Use powdered dishwasher tablets instead of liquid-filled pods, as the coarse texture of the powder helps erase the stains.
• There is no need to remove the plastic coating from the dishwasher tablet before use. The biodegradable film will dissolve on its own when exposed to water.
• The tablet may become discoloured as you scrub away the burnt bits. Continue using the same tablet until it completely crumbles.

Boiling lemons

• Slice two to three lemons and place them in the burnt pan.
• Fill the pan with water, ensuring the lemons are covered.
• Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat up to high.
• Bring the lemon water to a boil. You should do this for about five to ten minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface.
• Turn off the heat and remove the pan.
• Allow the pan to cool. This may take a while.
• Once the pan has cooled, discard the lemon water.
• Use a scouring pad or brush to scrub away any remaining burnt bits.

This method works because lemon juice is acidic, which helps to break down the burnt-on grime. It is also an all-natural approach, so you don't have to worry about using harsh chemicals on your cookware.

You can also try other methods to remove scorch marks from a pan, such as using baking soda and vinegar, or a dishwasher tablet. However, the boiling lemons method is a great option if you want to avoid using harsh chemicals, and it is especially effective if you have been cooking with lemons and have some leftovers to use.

Using baking soda and water

To remove scorch marks from a pan using baking soda and water, start by removing as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste by mixing baking soda and water. The paste should be thick enough to fully coat the burnt section of the pan. For a pan with a fully burnt bottom, try using 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.

Once you've made the paste, liberally apply it to the burnt pan. If you don't want to wait, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then place the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. Wipe or scrub away the scorched bits. If there are any stubborn marks that don't come off, make a paste of baking soda and a couple of drops of water, and leave it on the marks for a while before cleaning as usual.

You can also try a slightly different method by first placing the pan on the stove and filling the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of water. Bring the pan to a boil, then remove it from the heat and add the baking soda. Be aware that this will cause a fizzing reaction. Empty the pan and scour with a scouring pad. If there are any stubborn marks that don't come off, make a paste of baking soda and a couple of drops of water, and leave it on the marks for a while before cleaning as usual.

Frequently asked questions