Clean Baking Pans With Baking Soda: A Simple Guide

Baking soda is a versatile, natural cleaner that can be used to eliminate burnt-on food, tough stains, and lingering food odours from baking pans. When mixed with mild acids like vinegar, lemon, or hydrogen peroxide, baking soda reacts to form a foaming cleaner that boosts its power to remove stains. This non-toxic, inexpensive household ingredient can be used to clean various pans, including non-stick, stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron.

Removing burnt-on food from a non-stick pan

Burnt-on food in a non-stick pan can be a frustrating issue, but it's certainly not a hopeless situation. Here are some detailed, step-by-step methods to help you remove those stubborn remnants and restore your non-stick pan to its former glory:

The Deglazing Technique:

• Start by scraping off as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Place the pan back on the stove and turn on the heat.
• Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar to the pan. Adjust the amount if you have a larger pot or pan.
• Bring the liquid to a boil and let it simmer.
• Use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening and lifting away the burnt food.
• Pour out the liquid and do not dry or wipe the pan just yet.
• Generously sprinkle baking soda over the bottom of the pan.
• Allow the pan to cool down completely.
• Using a wet scouring sponge or a nylon brush, scrub the pan vigorously to remove any remaining stains or scorch marks.
• Once the pan is spotless, wash and dry it as you normally would.

The Baking Soda and Water Method:

• Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as you can.
• Create a paste by mixing 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water. Adjust the amount as needed to cover the burnt portion of the pan. For a pan with a fully burnt bottom, try using 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.
• Apply the paste liberally to the burnt areas of the pan, ensuring that it is thick enough to fully coat the surface.
• If you prefer, you can also start by covering the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then adding enough baking soda to create a paste.
• Let the paste sit for a few hours or even overnight.
• If you're short on time, you can add a little more water to thin out the paste, then place the pan on the stove and bring it to a quick boil. Be careful not to leave it on the heat for too long, as you don't want it to burn again.
• After the pan has cooled down, wipe or scrub away the burnt residue.
• If necessary, add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.

The Baking Soda and Vinegar Method:

• Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough white vinegar to the pan to cover the bottom with at least 1/2 inch of liquid.
• Place the pan on the stove and bring the vinegar to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction, so it's best to do this step in the sink.
• Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or a scouring sponge. Add more baking soda as needed to remove any stubborn residue.
• Rinse the pan clean and dry it thoroughly.

The Baking Soda and Lemon Method:

• Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan.
• Generously sprinkle baking soda over the water to create a slurry.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan, combining the acidic lemon juice with the alkaline baking soda. A slight fizzing reaction is normal and indicates that the process is working.
• If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pan upside down and use this method to restore its shine.
• After removing the stains, scrub the pan with warm water and a non-stick surface-safe sponge or nylon brush.

Additional Tips:

• Always try to avoid using metal utensils, sharp-edged tools, or abrasive scrubbers on non-stick pans, as these can damage the coating. Opt for wooden utensils and non-stick-friendly tools instead.
• Keep a close eye on your food while it's cooking. It only takes a moment of distraction for your meal to go from perfectly cooked to burnt.
• Remember that non-stick pans are best used over medium-high heat at most. Overheating or dry heating (heating the pan for extended periods without anything in it) can damage the non-stick surface.

Cleaning a stainless steel pan

Overview

Baking soda is a great, inexpensive way to clean burnt stainless steel pans. It has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralise acidic burnt foods. It can also combine with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, to create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food.

The Deglazing Technique

• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Put the pan back on the stove and heat until a droplet of water sizzles.
• Add 1 cup water or a mixture of ½ water and ½ white vinegar to the hot pan and allow to boil. Use more liquid for a larger pan.
• As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening bits of burnt food.
• Pour the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.
• Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and let the pan cool.
• Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously.
• Wash and dry as normal once all stains and scorched bits have been removed.

The Baking Soda & Water Method

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Make enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.
• Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat.
• Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water. Then add enough baking soda to create a paste.
• Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight, then add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.
• If you don't want to wait, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then put the pan on the stove and let it come to a boil. Remove from the heat quickly so it doesn't burn again!
• Let the pan cool and wipe or scrub to remove the scorched bits.

The Baking Soda & Vinegar Method

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough white 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 from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. 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 has stopped.
• 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.

The Baking Soda & Lemon Method

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan, then sprinkle the bottom liberally with baking soda.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly, which is a good sign!
• If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to help remove the stains and restore the shine.
• Wash and dry the pan as normal.

Removing stubborn stains from a ceramic pan

To remove stubborn stains from a ceramic pan, you will need baking soda, water, white vinegar, a scouring pad, and a scraper such as a wooden spatula. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Remove Burnt Food and Debris

Use a scraper or spatula to remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Heat the Pan

Put the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles.

Step 3: Deglaze the Pan

Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of 1/2 cup each of water and white vinegar to the hot pan and bring it to a boil. As the liquid simmers, use the spatula or scraper to deglaze the pan, loosening and removing bits of burnt food.

Step 4: Sprinkle with Baking Soda

Pour out the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan. Instead, sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and let the pan cool down. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and can help neutralize acidic burnt foods.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pan vigorously. The combination of baking soda and water will create a mildly abrasive paste that will help remove stubborn stains.

Step 6: Wash and Rinse

Once all the stains and scorched bits have been removed, wash and dry the pan as you normally would.

Alternative Method: Baking Soda and Vinegar

For more heavy-duty cleaning, you can combine baking soda with white vinegar. First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add enough white 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 add 1 cup of baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction, so it's best to do this in the sink. Set the pan aside and wait until the fizzing and bubbling stop.

Finally, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Rinse and dry the pan as usual.

Cleaning a cast iron pan

Cast-iron pans are a must-have for any home cook, but they can be a little tricky to clean. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to effectively clean your cast-iron pan using baking soda:

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Soda Paste

Start by adding a layer of baking soda to the bottom of your cast-iron pan. Then, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to create a paste. The baking soda will help neutralise odours and kill bacteria, making it a great alternative to soap, which can damage the pan's seasoning.

Step 2: Scrub the Pan

Use a stiff-bristle brush or a scouring pad to scrub the pan with the baking soda paste. The abrasive properties of the baking soda will help break down and remove burnt-on food residue. Be careful not to scrub too vigorously, as this can remove the good seasoning from your pan.

Step 3: Rinse and Repeat

After scrubbing, rinse the pan with water to see how much residue remains. If necessary, repeat the process of adding baking soda, scrubbing, and rinsing until your pan is clean. Remember, the more you scrub and repeat the process, the more seasoning you will remove, so don't overdo it.

Step 4: Dry the Pan

After the final rinse, thoroughly dry your cast-iron pan. You can do this by placing it on the stove over low heat or by using a clean cloth or paper towel. It's important to ensure the pan is completely dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Oil the Pan

Using a cloth or paper towel, apply a light coat of vegetable oil or shortening to the inside of the skillet. This step helps re-season the pan and restore its non-stick surface. Be sure to coat the bottom and sides of the pan generously.

Step 6: Heat the Pan

Place the oiled pan on a stove burner over medium-low heat for about an hour. Alternatively, you can place it in an oven set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the same amount of time. This step helps set the seasoning and ensures your pan is ready for its next use.

And that's it! Your cast-iron pan is now clean, seasoned, and ready for your next culinary adventure. Remember to always clean your cast-iron pan promptly after use, avoid using soap or steel wool, and be mindful not to over-scrub, as this can remove the pan's valuable seasoning.

Removing burnt food from a copper-bottomed pan

Burnt food in a pan can be a nightmare, but it's possible to save your copper-bottomed pan with some basic kitchen staples. Here is a step-by-step guide to removing burnt food from a copper-bottomed pan using baking soda.

The Baking Soda and Lemon Method:

First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. This can be done by simply scraping off the burnt food with a spatula or similar tool. Next, keep a thin layer of water in the pan and sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda. Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan, creating a baking soda slurry. The combination of acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda will create a desirable fizzing reaction, helping to loosen burnt food.

Removing Tarnish from Copper Bottoms:

If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down. Use the above method to help remove the stains and restore the shine. The lemon will act as a "scrub brush" to remove tarnish and stains.

The Baking Soda and Vinegar Method:

For more heavy-duty cleaning, you can combine baking soda with white vinegar. First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 0.5 inches of liquid. Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda, creating a fizzing reaction. It is best to do this in the sink. Set the pot aside and wait for the fizzing to stop. Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Finally, rinse and dry the pan.

General Tips:

• Always allow your pan to cool before handling it.
• Avoid using harsh scrubbers like steel wool, especially on non-stick coatings, as they can damage the surface.
• For tough, burnt-on food, let the pan soak in the cleaning solution for a few hours or overnight.
• For cast iron pans, avoid using water, soap, and acidic items like vinegar or lemon juice, as these can create rust and damage the pan's seasoning.

With these methods, you can effectively remove burnt food from your copper-bottomed pan and restore its shine.

Frequently asked questions