Cleaning A Burnt Pan: Tips For Restoring Your Cookware

Burnt pans are a common problem for cooks of all skill levels, but there are many ways to clean them. The best method depends on the type of pan and the severity of the burn. Non-stick pans, for example, cannot be scrubbed with metal tools or scouring pads without risking harm to their non-stick surface. Before attempting to clean a burnt pan, it is important to identify the type of pan and choose a suitable cleaning method.

Deglazing

Firstly, remove the food from the pan and pour away any excess fat or oil. Then, add your chosen liquid – this can be almost anything, from wine to water, depending on whether you want to add flavour to a dish or are simply cleaning the pan. For cleaning, water is best.

Next, bring the liquid to a boil while scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula. If you are making a sauce, you can then add cream or butter. If you are cleaning, simply pour the liquid away and scrub the pan as normal.

Soaking

Step One: Add Water

Use a spatula to scrape off any loose bits of food, then add hot or boiling water to the pan along with a squirt of dish soap. If you can, fill the pan with water immediately after cooking, before the food and grease have a chance to cool and harden.

Step Two: Scrape and Soak

Scrape a spatula over the charred bits a few times to help the water penetrate. Set the pan aside for at least 30 minutes or, even better, overnight.

Step Three: Scrub

Pour out the water and scrub gently with a sponge or scrub brush using small, circular motions for at least a minute.

Step Four: Rinse and Reevaluate

Rinse the pan and check the results. If the charred surface is gone or almost gone, and the surface is unstained, wash and rinse the pan as normal. If not, either soak it again or move on to one of the other cleaning techniques outlined below.

Alternative Techniques

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps loosen burnt food. Its alkaline makeup also helps neutralise acidic burnt foods. Vinegar, on the other hand, neutralises alkaline burnt foods. Together, these common household ingredients produce a fizzing action that is effective on burns and stains.

After soaking, fill the pot with a mixture of half vinegar and half water and bring to a boil. If you’re working with a rimmed sheet pan, bring the mixture to a boil in the microwave and pour it into the pan.

Stir in 2 tablespoons of baking powder until the mixture fizzes. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then pour out the liquid and scrub gently. You can also sprinkle the pan with baking soda only and use it as an abrasive to scrub, but be sure to try this on a small section first to make sure it doesn’t scratch the surface.

If stains and food remain crusted on, make a paste of water and baking soda and let it sit on the pan for 1 to 12 hours. After, rinse and try scrubbing again.

Dishwasher Tablet

Dishwasher tablets contain enzymes that are very effective at loosening crusty, charred food. Even if you don’t regularly use them in a dishwasher, it can be convenient to keep a few of these tablets on hand for burnt messes.

After soaking, fill the pot with water and add a dishwasher tablet. Bring to a boil, then adjust the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour out the water. When cool enough to handle, use a sponge or scrub brush to wipe out the pan.

Scouring Pads or Cookware Cleanser

Cleaners like low-abrasive Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser and Polish or steel wool soap pads are fine on most sheet pans and on some stainless steel and enamel pots, but not all. Note: Don’t use products that contain bleach.

Try a pad or cleanser on a small area of your pan first to make sure there's no scratching or marring. After soaking, use a sponge and cookware cleanser or just a steel wool pad to gently scrub the surface in a circular motion.

Rinse the pan, then wash with soap and water and rinse again. For very tough stains, let a mixture of Bar Keepers Friend and water dry on the surface of the pan, then rinse and scrub again at the stains.

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean a burnt pan with baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove Food Debris

First, remove as much food debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar

Next, fill the pan with enough water and vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan. Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. For a standard-sized pan, use 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Remove the pan from the heat and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. This will cause a fizzing reaction. For safety, it is best to do this over the sink.

Step 4: Empty and Scour

Once the fizzing has stopped, empty the pan and scour it with a scouring pad. If there are any stubborn marks, make a paste of baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply this paste to the marks and leave it to sit for a few minutes before scouring again.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the pan clean and dry it as normal.

Alternative Method

Alternatively, you can try a different approach by first removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil. Next, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pan and let it soak for up to 15 minutes. Finally, discard the liquid, scrub away any remaining burnt bits, and rinse clean.

Dishwasher tablets

To start, cover the bottom of the burnt pan with a small amount of water and warm it up on low heat. Then, remove the pan from the heat source. Take a dishwasher tablet and carefully rub it across the burnt-on areas, using a circular motion and applying a bit more pressure on the heavily burnt parts. You may need to wet the tablet with warm water first to get it to start breaking down and working effectively.

As you scrub, the warm water will gradually dissolve the tablet, and you will see the burnt-on grime lifting away. The tablet will also start to change colour as it absorbs the grime. Once you are satisfied that most of the burnt residue has been removed, rinse the pan with warm water and wash it with soapy water as you normally would.

This method is a great option if you are short on time and don't want to spend ages scrubbing away at your burnt pan. It is also a good alternative to other natural cleaning methods, such as using lemons or baking soda, which can be less effective and require more effort. However, it is worth noting that using a whole dishwasher tablet for a single pan may not be the most environmentally-friendly or cost-effective option, so it is best reserved for those truly stubborn, baked-on stains.

Scouring pads or cookware cleansers

Scouring pads are a great tool to have on hand when cleaning burnt pans. They can be used in conjunction with a variety of cleaning solutions, such as baking soda, vinegar, and water, to effectively remove burnt-on food and stains. Here are some detailed instructions on how to use scouring pads to clean a burnt pan:

Preparing the Pan for Cleaning:

• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Use a spatula or scraper to dislodge any large pieces of food that are stuck to the pan.
• If there is a significant amount of burnt food or grease in the pan, consider using a deglazing technique before applying any cleaning solutions. Fill the pan with water and/or vinegar and bring it to a boil. Use a spatula or scraper to loosen the burnt food and then pour out the liquid.

Using Baking Soda and Water:

• Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water in a ratio of 3:1. You can adjust the amount as needed to cover the burnt area of the pan.
• Apply the paste liberally to the burnt areas of the pan. Ensure that the paste is thick enough to fully coat the surface.
• Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at breaking down the burnt residue.
• After the waiting period, add more baking soda and use a scouring pad to scrub the pan vigorously. You can also use a nylon brush or scouring sponge if you're concerned about scratching the pan.
• Wash and dry the pan as normal once all the stains and burnt bits have been removed.

Using Vinegar and Baking Soda:

• Fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar, ensuring that there is enough liquid to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and then remove it from the heat.
• Add baking soda to the pan. You can expect a fizzing reaction, so be careful when handling the pan.
• Discard the liquid and use a scouring pad to scrub the pan. If there are still stuck-on pieces, create a paste with more baking soda and water, apply it to the pan, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

Using Boiled Lemons:

• Cut two to three lemons into quarters and place them in the pan.
• Fill the pan with water, ensuring that the lemons are covered.
• Bring the water to a boil and continue boiling for 5-10 minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface.
• Discard the lemons and the water, then use a scouring pad to remove any leftover bits. You can also use a scrub brush or sponge if needed.

Additional Tips:

• Always test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous portion of the pan to ensure it won't damage the surface, especially if you're using a non-stick pan.
• For extremely burnt or stubborn residue, you may need to repeat the cleaning process or try a different method.
• Remember to wear rubber gloves and protective gear when handling strong cleaning solutions or hot liquids.

Frequently asked questions