Removing Burnt Residue From Pans: Effective Tips

Burnt brown stuff on the bottom of a pan? Don't panic. There are several methods you can use to get your pans looking as good as new.

For stainless steel pans, try using a dishwasher tablet, aluminium foil and baking soda, or Bar Keepers Friend. For all types of pans, try using baking soda and vinegar, or a dryer sheet. You could also try using lemons, or a paste made from baking soda and water.

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean burnt food from the bottom of a pan using baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add a cup of water and a cup of vinegar to the pan and bring to a boil.
• Turn off the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda.
• Discard the liquid and wash the pan with a scouring pad.
• If there are still stuck-on pieces, add more baking soda and water to make a paste and let it sit for a few minutes before washing again with a scouring pad and dish soap.

Alternatively, you can try the following method:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least half an inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove from heat and add a cup of baking soda. This will cause a fizzing reaction.
• Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling dies down.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

Dishwasher tablets

Step 1:

Start by covering the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warming it up on low heat.

Step 2:

Remove the pan from the heat source. Take a dishwasher tablet and, wearing gloves, use it to scrub the burnt areas of the pan. The plastic coating on the tablet will gradually dissolve as you scrub, helping to lift away the burnt-on food.

Step 3:

Rinse the pan with warm water and wash with warm, soapy water.

Tips:

• This method works best with dishwasher tablets that have a plastic coating, such as Finish Powerball tablets.
• For very burnt pans, you may need to use more than one dishwasher tablet to achieve the desired result.
• Always wear gloves when handling dishwasher tablets, as they can be harsh on the skin.
• This method is not suitable for non-stick or cast iron pans.

Alternative Methods:

If you don't have dishwasher tablets, or if you would like to try other methods, here are some alternative ways to clean burnt pans:

• Baking soda and vinegar: Fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar, bring to a boil, then add baking soda. Soak, scrub, and repeat if necessary.
• Boiled lemons: Slice lemons and arrange them in the pan. Fill the pan with water, bring to a boil, then rinse and scrub the pan.
• Bar Keepers Friend: Make a paste with Bar Keepers Friend and water in the pan, let it sit for a short time, then scrub and rinse.
• Aluminium foil and baking soda: Rinse the pan, add baking soda, and a small amount of water to form a paste. Scrub the pan with a ball of aluminium foil, then rinse with warm, soapy water.
• Dryer sheets: Add hot water and a few drops of dish soap to the pan, along with a dryer sheet. Let it soak, then remove the dryer sheet and rinse and scrub the pan.
• Alka-Seltzer: Add hot water and Alka-Seltzer tablets to the pan, let it sit, then scrub the pan with hot water and dish soap.

Boiled lemons

Step 1: Prepare the Lemons and Pan

Quarter two to three lemons and remove any seeds. Place the lemon wedges in the stained pan. You can also slice the lemons and arrange them in a single layer in the pan.

Step 2: Add Water and Bring to a Boil

Fill the pan with water, ensuring that the lemon wedges are fully submerged. Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Bring the water to a rolling boil.

Step 3: Boil for 5-10 Minutes

Let the lemon water boil for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. You will notice that food particles and burnt stains start to loosen and float to the surface. Continue boiling until you see most of the burnt residue floating or lifting off the pan's surface.

Step 4: Discard Lemons and Rinse Pan

After boiling, carefully remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down slightly. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, discard the lemon wedges. Then, pour out the lemon water and rinse the pan with hot, clean water.

Step 5: Scrub Away Remaining Residue

If there are any remaining burnt-on bits or residue, use a scouring pad, brush, or non-scratch sponge to scrub them away. You can also add a small amount of dish soap to aid in the removal of stubborn stains.

Tips for Using Boiled Lemons to Clean Pans:

• This method is ideal for removing light to moderate burnt stains. For heavily burnt or carbonized residue, you may need to repeat the process or use a stronger cleaning agent.
• While boiling the lemons, keep an eye on the pan to ensure the water doesn't completely evaporate, as this can damage the pan.
• For extremely burnt pans, you may need to let the lemon water sit and soak for a longer period before discarding the lemons and rinsing the pan.
• Always use caution when handling hot water and lemons to avoid burns.
• If you have leftover lemons from cooking or juicing, you can use them for this cleaning method.

Aluminium foil and baking soda

Burnt-on food and brown stains on the bottom of pans can be a real headache to clean. Luckily, there are a few simple methods to get your pans looking brand new. One of the most effective methods is to use aluminium foil and baking soda. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Rinse the Pan

First, rinse the pan with hot water to get rid of any initial grime. This will make it easier to remove the burnt-on food and stains.

Step 2: Make a Baking Soda Paste

Combine some hot water and baking soda inside the pan to form a paste. The paste should be thick enough to fully coat the burnt areas of the pan. Baking soda is a great cleaner because it has mild abrasive properties and an alkaline pH, which helps neutralise acidic burnt foods.

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. Use this foil ball to scrub the bottom of the pan in a circular motion. The foil provides a harsher surface than a sponge, so it can help remove stubborn gunk. The foil also works with the baking soda to create a conductive, non-corrosive electrolyte, which helps to clean the pan.

Step 4: Rinse and Repeat

Rinse the pan with warm, soapy water to remove the paste and any loosened debris. If there are still burnt-on bits or stains, repeat the process. You may need to use a nylon brush or scouring sponge for particularly stubborn marks.

Tips

• This method works best on stainless steel and aluminium pans.
• Do not use this method on coated surfaces like enamel or non-stick pans, as the foil is abrasive and may damage the coating.
• For coated pans, you can try Method 1 or Method 2 (see below) to avoid damaging the non-stick surface.

Alternative Methods

Method 1: Baking Soda and Vinegar

This method combines the cleaning power of baking soda with the acidity of vinegar to break down burnt-on food. Here's how it works:

• Fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar.
• Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda (be careful, as this can cause a reaction).
• Remove from heat and let it soak for up to 15 minutes.
• Discard the liquid and scrub away any remaining bits.

Method 2: Boiled Lemons

Lemons are highly acidic and great at killing bacteria. They also leave your pans smelling fresh and clean. Here's the method:

• Fill the pan with water and add 2-5 quartered lemons (depending on the size of the pan).
• Bring the water to a boil for 5-10 minutes.
• Discard the lemons and water.
• Use a wooden spatula or spoon to scrape away the burnt marks.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend, follow these steps:

• Wet the surface of the pan.
• Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend onto the surface.
• Scrub the surface with a soft, wet cloth. For very tarnished or greasy pans, you can start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge.
• Rinse the pan well.

For best results, do not let the product sit on the surface for longer than a minute, but you can scrub for longer. If you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to wear kitchen gloves while using this product.

Frequently asked questions