Best Ways To Clean Stubborn Stains Off Enamel Pans

Enamel pans are a great addition to your kitchen, but they can be a pain to clean. Grease and burnt food can quickly build up, making your once shiny pan look old and dirty. However, there are several easy and effective ways to clean your enamel pans and make them look brand new again. Here are some common methods to get rid of those stubborn baked-on stains.

Baking soda and water paste

Baking soda is a great tool to get rid of spots, stains and even scratches from an enamel pan. It is known to clean the dirtiest pots without too much scrubbing and will not damage the enamel coating or the material of the pan.

To clean your enamel pans with baking soda, follow these steps:

• Place the pan on the stove and pour in one quart of water.
• Turn on the heat and set the burner to medium heat.
• Wait for the water to boil.
• Add two tablespoons of baking soda and stir with a wooden spoon. Do not use a metal spoon as it can scratch the enamel surface and cause rust stains.
• Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes.
• Use a wooden spoon to nudge and scrape off the burned bits from the pan.
• Pour the baking soda and water solution down the drain, rinse the pan with hot water, then wipe it dry.

For a more intensive clean, create a baking soda and water paste.

• In a small bowl, mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste.
• Apply the paste to the pan with a soft sponge and rub in a circular motion. This mild abrasive removes stains without harming the enamel.
• Once the stains disappear, rinse the pan and dry thoroughly.

You can also try this method with the addition of vinegar and dish soap.

• Make a paste with baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap.
• Gently scrub the mixture onto your enamel using a sponge.
• Rinse thoroughly with water.

Your enamel pans will be looking brand new in no time!

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

To clean baked-on stains in enamel pans using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, follow these steps:

First, place your pan on the stove and pour in half an inch of hydrogen peroxide. Then, add a quarter of a cup of baking soda. Turn the stove on high and bring the mixture to a boil. When it starts to foam, turn off the heat and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This will loosen any crusted residue and start to lift stubborn stains.

After 10 minutes, empty the pan and rinse it with water. Next, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power, or a similar product, to scrub the bottom and sides of the pan. This step should not require too much elbow grease, as the previous step would have loosened most of the stains. Finally, rinse and dry your pan, and the stains should be gone!

You can also make a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and spread it over the trouble spots. Leave it for at least two hours or up to eight hours for bigger messes. Then, wipe away the paste using a paper towel and water. For any remaining residue, scrub the pan with a nylon pad, sponge, or brush, and wash it with dish soap and hot water.

Lemon and salt scrub

Step 1: Prepare the Lemon and Salt Scrub

Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice onto the stained areas of the pan. Ensure you have enough lemon juice to cover all the stains. Then, sprinkle table salt over the lemon juice. The salt should be enough to cover the stains and create a paste-like consistency when mixed with the lemon juice. You can add more salt and lemon juice as needed.

Step 2: Scrub the Stains

Use a sponge or a clean cloth to scrub the mixture into the stained areas. Apply gentle pressure and work the scrub in a circular motion. You should start to see the stains fading as you scrub. If the stains are particularly stubborn, you can add more salt and lemon juice and let the mixture sit on the stains for about an hour before scrubbing again.

Step 3: Rinse and Dry

Once the stains have been removed, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any residue from the lemon and salt scrub. Use a clean cloth or sponge to wipe the pan dry. Your enamel pan should now be stain-free and shiny!

Tips for Using Lemon and Salt Scrub:

• Lemon is a great natural cleaner and deodorizer, leaving your pan smelling fresh.
• This method is gentle and safe for enamel cookware, but avoid using metal utensils or abrasive sponges that could scratch the surface.
• For very tough stains, you can repeat the process or let the lemon and salt mixture sit on the stains for a longer period before scrubbing.

Bleach-free cleansers

Baking Soda and Water

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can effectively remove stains from enamel pans without damaging the enamel coating. To use this method, follow these steps:

• Create a paste by mixing baking soda with water.
• Apply the paste to the stained areas of the pan using a soft cloth or sponge.
• Gently scrub the pan in a circular motion.
• Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

This method combines the cleaning power of hydrogen peroxide, a mild bleach, with baking soda to remove stubborn stains. Here's how to do it:

• Pour enough hydrogen peroxide into the pan to cover the bottom by at least 1/2 inch.
• Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the pan.
• Place the pan on the stove and bring the solution to a boil.
• Turn off the heat when the solution starts to bubble and foam.
• Let the pan sit for about 10 minutes to loosen crusted and stubborn stains.
• Empty the pan and rinse it with water.
• Use a wet sponge or cloth to wipe away any remaining stains.

Barkeeper's Friend

Barkeeper's Friend is a gentle, powdered cleaning polish that can be used as an alternative to baking soda. It is slightly more abrasive than baking soda but is still safe for use on enamel cookware. To use Barkeeper's Friend:

• Sprinkle the powder liberally onto the wet pan.
• Use a sponge or soft cloth to scrub the powder around the pan in a circular motion.
• Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly.

Lemon and Baking Soda

Lemon juice is an effective natural stain remover, and when combined with baking soda, it can help remove even the toughest grease and stains from enamel pans. Here's how to do it:

• Cut a couple of lemons into small pieces.
• Add water to the pan, ensuring it covers the stained areas.
• Bring the water to a boil and add the lemon pieces.
• Allow the water to cool, then use the lemons to scrub away grease and stains.
• Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly.

When using bleach-free cleansers, it is important to be gentle and avoid using abrasive tools like steel wool or metal scrapers, as they can scratch the enamel coating. Always test a small area first to ensure the cleanser is suitable for your pan.

Vinegar and baking soda

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Plug your sink and fill it with hot water. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the water. The hot water and vinegar will help loosen any baked-on stains and prepare the surface for cleaning.

Step 2: Apply Baking Soda

Take your enamel pan and sprinkle baking soda liberally over the stained areas. Make sure to cover all the burnt and discoloured areas with baking soda. The amount of baking soda you use will depend on the size and severity of the stains. For smaller stains, a thin layer of baking soda may be sufficient, while for larger or more stubborn stains, you may need to apply a more generous amount.

Step 3: Add Vinegar

Once the baking soda is applied, it's time to add the vinegar. Slowly pour the white vinegar from the sink over the baking soda in the pan. You should see a chemical reaction between the two substances, with bubbles and fizzing. This reaction is what helps loosen and lift the baked-on stains from the enamel surface.

Step 4: Soak the Pan

Let the pan sit and soak in the vinegar and baking soda mixture for a while. The longer you allow it to soak, the more effective it will be at breaking down the stains. For lighter stains, 30 minutes to an hour of soaking may be sufficient. However, for more stubborn or burnt-on stains, you may need to let the pan soak for several hours or even overnight.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

After the pan has soaked, it's time to scrub it. Use a non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush or the scouring pad to gently scrub the stained areas. The baking soda and vinegar should have loosened the stains, making them easier to remove. If necessary, you can add a little more baking soda to the pan during scrubbing to create a mild abrasive paste.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

Once you've removed the stains, rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining vinegar and baking soda. Then, dry the pan with a clean cloth or towel. Make sure to dry the pan completely before storing it away.

Additional Tips:

• Always test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area of your enamel pan first to ensure it doesn't damage the surface.
• For extremely stubborn stains, you can try repeating the process or using a stronger cleaning solution, such as a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
• Remember to be gentle when scrubbing enamel pans to avoid scratching or damaging the coating.

Frequently asked questions