Cleaning A Scoured Pan: Tips For Restoring Shine

Burnt pans are a common problem for cooks of all skill levels, but there are several methods for cleaning them. Some of the most popular methods include using baking soda and vinegar, dishwasher tablets, lemons, dryer sheets, and Bar Keepers Friend. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best method may vary depending on the type of pan and the severity of the burning.

Baking soda and vinegar

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

Firstly, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Next, pour enough 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 the pan from the heat and pour out the vinegar. Then, add a liberal amount of baking soda to the pan. You will get a fizzing reaction. It might be best to do this in the sink. Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling dies down.

Once the reaction has stopped, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring pad, adding more baking soda as necessary. Finally, rinse the pan clean and dry it.

An alternative method is to fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the mixture. Remove the pan from the heat and let it soak for up to 15 minutes. Discard the liquid, then scrub away any remaining burnt-on bits with a scouring pad. If spots remain, apply a paste made of baking soda mixed with a little water and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

Lemon

To clean a scorched pan using lemons, start by cutting two or three lemons into quarters, then place them in the pot. Fill your pan with water so it covers the lemons and bring the water to a boil for 5–10 minutes. Discard the remaining water and lemon wedges and allow the pot to cool enough to handle, then scrub the burnt-on food with a scouring pad.

Dishwasher tablets

To use a dishwasher tablet to clean a burnt pan, start by placing the pan on the stove and adding a small amount of water. Then, take half a dishwasher tablet and place it in the pan. Turn on the heat and let the water come to a boil. Once the soapy solution starts to simmer, turn off the heat and let the pan sit for several hours or overnight. The hot water and detergent will work together to loosen and lift the burnt-on food and stains. Finally, wash and rinse the pan as usual.

If you're short on time, you can try this alternative method: place the charred pan in the sink and rinse it under hot water. Take a dishwasher tablet and, while the water is running, use it to scrub the cooked-on grime as if it were a sponge. You should see the burnt food scraps release from the bottom of the pan. Use the tablet to buff the scorched areas until it dissolves, then rinse the pan with warm water.

Another option is to fill the scorched pan with a small amount of water and heat it on the stove over low heat. Avoid bringing the water to a boil. Once the water is hot, remove the pan from the heat and use a dishwasher tablet to scrape away any blackened bits. Once the crispy remnants are gone, wash the pan with soapy water and rinse.

When dealing with heavily burnt food, such as fried fish or baked beans, it is best to use powdered dishwasher tablets rather than liquid-filled pods. The coarse texture of the powdered tablet helps remove burnt stains, while the gel version will disintegrate. The tablet may become discoloured as you use it to scrub away burnt bits, but there is no need to replace it with a new one unless it completely crumbles.

Dryer sheets

If you're looking for a way to clean a scorched pan without the endless scrubbing, dryer sheets may be the answer. This simple hack only requires a few household items and can save you a lot of time and effort. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use dryer sheets to clean a scorched pan:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove the pan from the heat and fill it with warm water. Add a small amount of dish soap to the water as you fill the pan. You can use a trivet to place the pan on the counter or an empty burner on the stove.

Step 2: Soak with Dryer Sheet

Place a dryer sheet in the soapy water, making sure it is fully submerged. Let the solution sit for at least an hour. For heavily burnt pans, you may want to let it soak overnight. The dryer sheet will help loosen the burnt-on food and make it easier to clean.

Step 3: Wipe Away the Grime

After the soaking time has passed, pour the solution out of the pan. Most of the grime should be loosened and easier to wipe away. Use a wet sponge or a non-scratch scouring pad to wipe away the caked-on grease and food. You'll be surprised at how easily it comes off!

Step 4: Final Cleaning

Once you've removed the burnt residue, give the pan a thorough cleaning as you normally would. Wash it with soap and water to ensure any residue from the dryer sheet is removed. And that's it! Your pan should now be looking like new.

This dryer sheet hack is a simple and effective way to clean scorched pans without the need for harsh scrubbing. It's a great trick to have up your sleeve for those tough, burnt-on messes. So, the next time you're facing a challenging clean-up, give this method a try!

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean a scorched pan, follow these steps:

• Wet the area of the pan that needs to be cleaned.
• Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish onto the wet area.
• For tougher stains, make a paste with the cleanser and water.
• Rub the cleanser into the pan with a soft, wet cloth.
• Rinse the pan with clean water.
• Wash, rinse, and dry the pan.

For pans with copper bottoms and steel tops, Bar Keepers Friend can be safely used on both surfaces. The cleanser contains 50% more grease-cutting detergents than other Bar Keepers Friend products, making it highly effective at removing burnt-on stains.

One user, Randy Clark, shared his experience using Bar Keepers Friend to clean a skillet that had been burnt over a wood fire. He reported that the product was able to remove a three-year-old, butter-fire scorch, leaving his skillet looking like new.

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