Easy Ways To Clean The Back Of Your Pans

Cleaning the bottom of a pan can be a challenging task, especially if there are burnt food scraps and stubborn stains. Here are some tips to help you clean the bottom of your pan effectively:

- Remove excess grease from the pan's bottom using white vinegar or dishwashing soap. For extremely greasy pans, a cream degreaser can be used.

- Create a thick paste with baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the bottom of the pan and let it sit for about 10-20 minutes. Then, scrub the pan with a non-scratch sponge or brush.

- For copper-bottom pans, a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and lemon can be used. Cut a lemon in half and use it to scrub the pan bottom.

- Ketchup can also be used to clean the bottom of the pan, especially if it is made of copper. Apply ketchup to the stained area and let it sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing with a non-scratch sponge.

- Bar Keeper's Friend is another effective solution for cleaning the bottom of pans made of copper, aluminum, cast iron, or stainless steel. Apply it to the bottom of the pan and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing gently.

Degrease with vinegar or dish soap

Vinegar is an effective all-purpose household cleaner. The acetic acid in vinegar is relatively mild, so it won't damage your metal surfaces. It's also non-abrasive. But it will still cut through grease and grime, dissolving it from the surface rather than just smearing it around as you wipe. Vinegar is also a deodorizer, and its smell dissipates quickly. It's safe for use around children and pets.

To remove grease from metal with vinegar, mix a 1-to-1 solution of distilled white vinegar and hot water. To amplify the vinegar's acidic cleaning power, add the juice of one lemon per cup of vinegar. Spray the surface using a spray bottle filled with the solution or dip a sponge or soft cloth in the cleaning solution, and wipe it clean. Rinse the area with a clean sponge or cloth dipped in plain water, then dry the metal with a microfiber cloth.

For an even more powerful degreaser, use vinegar in combination with salt and baking soda. Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with generous amounts of baking soda and sea salt, especially on the stained areas. Spray the baking soda with straight vinegar and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Use a scouring pad to scrub away the grease, then rinse everything off and dry before storing.

Dish soap is another effective way to degrease. Select a dish soap that includes a degreasing agent. Most degreasing agents are surfactants that help to keep grease molecules suspended in water so they don't redeposit on surfaces. Make a soapy solution by adding 1 tablespoon of dish soap to 1 gallon of hot water in a sink or container. You must use hot water. Cold water will cause the grease to solidify, making it harder to wash away thoroughly.

Wipe away the grease with a well-wrung sponge or soft cloth dipped in the solution, following a grid pattern or the grain of the metal. Rinse the sponge in the cleaning solution frequently to prevent redepositing the grease. To remove burnt food bits, sprinkle baking soda (a mild abrasive) on a damp sponge or cloth and wipe. Rinse and dry with a microfiber cloth.

Remove baked-on grime with a baking soda paste

Burnt-on grease and grime on the back of a pan can be a pain to clean, but a baking soda paste is an effective, inexpensive, and non-toxic solution. Here's a step-by-step guide to removing baked-on grime with a baking soda paste:

• Create a Baking Soda Paste: In a small bowl, mix baking soda with water to form a paste. The paste should be thick but spreadable. Adjust the consistency by adding more baking soda or water as needed.
• Apply the Paste: Using a spoon or spatula, generously apply the baking soda paste to the back of the pan, ensuring full coverage of the affected areas. You can also sprinkle baking soda directly on the pan and then add water to create a paste.
• Let it Sit: Allow the paste to sit on the pan for several hours or even overnight. This gives the baking soda time to work its magic and loosen the baked-on grime.
• Scrub the Pan: After the paste has had sufficient time to work, use a non-scratch scouring pad, sponge, or brush to scrub the affected areas vigorously. For stubborn grime, you may need to use some elbow grease and repeat the process.
• Rinse and Wash: Once you've removed the baked-on grime, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any residue. Then, wash the pan with dish soap and a clean sponge or cloth as you normally would.
• Dry and Maintain: After washing, thoroughly dry the pan with a clean dish towel. To maintain your pan and prevent future buildup, be sure to wash it promptly after each use, scrubbing away any grease or food residue.

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that safely removes stubborn grime from various types of pans, including stainless steel, cast iron, and non-stick cookware. For extra cleaning power, you can combine baking soda with other natural ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, or salt. These additional ingredients react with the baking soda to create a foaming action that boosts its stain-removing capabilities.

Always avoid using harsh chemicals, steel wool, or abrasive cleaning pads on non-stick pans, as these can damage the coating. Instead, opt for gentle, natural cleaning solutions like baking soda paste for effective and safe cleaning.

Scrub with a non-scratch sponge

To clean the back of a pan, you can use a non-scratch sponge to scrub the surface. This is an important step to ensure that the pan's surface is not damaged during the cleaning process.

When using a non-scratch sponge, it is essential to apply gentle pressure and avoid using abrasive scrubbing motions. This is especially important for non-stick pans, as the coating can be easily damaged. Gently work the sponge in circular motions, covering the entire stained area.

For burnt-on grease or food residue, it is advisable to first apply a cleaning agent suitable for the pan's material. For example, a paste made from baking soda and water can be effective for stainless steel and carbon steel pans. Apply the paste generously to the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with the non-scratch sponge.

If the pan has stubborn stains, a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda can be used. Sprinkle baking soda over the stained area and add a few drops of white vinegar. Once the fizzing stops, scrub the surface gently with the non-scratch sponge.

For copper-bottom pans, a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and lemon can be used. Sprinkle baking soda over the surface, add vinegar to make a paste, and then use a lemon half to scrub the pan bottom.

Always rinse and dry the pan thoroughly after scrubbing with a non-scratch sponge to remove any residual cleaning agents.

It is important to note that different pan materials require specific cleaning agents and methods. Always ensure that the chosen cleaning method is suitable for the type of pan being cleaned.

Soak in a vinegar and baking soda solution

To clean the back of a pan with a vinegar and baking soda solution, start by filling the pan with enough water to cover the bottom. Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Transfer the pan to the sink and add 1 cup of white vinegar. Next, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and watch as the vinegar and baking soda react to one another, bubbling and fizzing. Leave the pan to sit for a few minutes while the solution loosens burnt-on food residue. Once the pan has cooled, scrub the pan with a sponge, focusing on any stained or scorched areas. Finally, empty the pan and wash normally with dish soap and a clean sponge.

For more resistant stains, you can try using a baking soda and vinegar paste. First, rinse out any remaining vinegar from the previous step. Then, mix equal parts baking soda and hot water in the pan, creating a thick paste. If the paste is too runny, add more baking soda, and if it's too dry, add a splash of water. Use a scouring sponge to scrub the problem areas until the stains lift. You may need to add more paste as you go. Once you're done, empty the pan, rinse with hot water, and wash with dish soap and a clean sponge.

Clean with Bar Keeper's Friend

To clean the back of a pan with Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of the pan. Then, sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish powder onto the pan. Next, scrub the powder into the pan with a soft, wet cloth. For very dirty pans, you may want to use steel wool at first, but be sure to switch to a soft sponge or rag before you're finished. Finally, rinse the pan well with clean water.

For tough stains, make a paste with the Bar Keepers Friend powder and water, and let it sit on the pan for about a minute before scrubbing and rinsing.

Be sure to wear gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend, as it can be irritating to the skin. Also, be sure to rinse the product off the pan after about a minute, as leaving it on for too long can cause discolouration and scratches.

Frequently asked questions