Cleaning Burned Food From Steel Pans: Removing Black Residue

Burnt food in a stainless steel pan can be a real headache, but there are several methods to tackle this issue. Firstly, it is important to use non-abrasive tools to avoid scratching the stainless steel, which can make it vulnerable to corrosion. For a heavy-duty clean, a commercial cleaner like Barkeeper's Friend can be used, followed by rinsing the pan with water. Boiling water is another simple solution, which helps loosen the burnt food, making it easier to remove. Additionally, a combination of vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean the pan. The vinegar helps break down the tough food particles, while the baking soda has mild abrasive properties to scrub away the burnt food. For more stubborn burn marks, lemon juice, coarse salt, or even cola can be used to scrub away the burnt residue.

Deglazing with water and vinegar

Deglazing is a technique used to loosen flavorful bits from a pan to make a sauce or gravy. In this method, you first need to loosen and remove as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, put the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles on its surface. Next, add a cup of water or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to the hot pan and allow it to boil. As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening bits of burnt food.

Pour the liquid down 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. Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously. Finally, wash and dry the pan as you normally would once all stains and scorched bits have been removed.

Boiling water and dish soap

Step 1: Scrub Away Food Residue

Start by scrubbing away as much of the burnt food residue as possible using a non-abrasive scrubber. This initial scrubbing step will make the cleaning process easier and reduce the amount of time your pan needs to soak.

Step 2: Fill the Pan with Water and Dish Soap

Fill your pan with water, ensuring that the stuck-on food is completely submerged. Add a bit of dish soap to the water. The dish soap will help break down the burnt food and make it easier to remove.

Step 3: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the water to a rolling boil and let it simmer for a few minutes. The heat from the boiling water will help loosen the burnt food, making it easier to remove.

Step 4: Remove from Heat and Cool

After boiling for a few minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down. This step is important, as handling a hot pan can be dangerous. The cooling process will also give the soap and water mixture more time to work on loosening the burnt food.

Step 5: Scrape Away the Food

Once the pan has cooled, use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape away the loosened food. The boiling water and dish soap should have softened the burnt food, making it easier to remove. If necessary, you can use a non-abrasive scrubber to help remove any stubborn bits.

Step 6: Repeat if Needed

If there are still burnt-on food residues, repeat the above steps. Fill the pan with water and dish soap, boil, cool, and scrape until your pan is clean. This process may take a few rounds, depending on how badly your pan is burned.

Tips:

• Always use a non-abrasive scrubber or sponge to avoid scratching your stainless steel pan.
• For very stubborn burn marks, you may need to use a commercial cleaner in addition to the boiling water and dish soap method.
• Remember to always let your stainless steel pan cool down before cleaning to avoid warping.

Using baking soda and water

Step 1: Remove Food and Debris

Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Make a Baking Soda and Water Paste

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.

Step 3: Apply the Paste

Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the affected area. Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, then add enough baking soda to create a paste.

Step 4: Let the Paste Sit

Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

After letting the paste sit, add more baking soda and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.

Step 6: Wash and Dry

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

Vinegar and baking soda

Step 1:

Sprinkle baking soda all over the affected area. Use a sponge to scour the inside of the pan. Remove as much of the burnt food and debris as possible.

Step 2:

Pour a small layer of equal parts water and white vinegar to cover the bottom of the burnt pan. The amount of liquid added should be enough to cover any stuck-on food.

Step 3:

Place the pan on the stove and heat it until the liquid is boiling. Allow it to boil for a few minutes.

Step 4:

Remove the pan from the heat. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pan. Briefly mix the contents, and you will see the vinegar and baking soda reacting to form bubbles.

Step 5:

Empty the pan into the sink. Use a non-abrasive sponge, scrubber, or scouring pad to rid the pan of any remaining food particles. If needed, add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or scouring pad.

Step 6:

Rinse the pan clean and dry it.

Tips:

• Be cautious when adding baking soda to boiling water/vinegar as it can cause a somewhat explosive reaction. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling mixture.
• For stubborn burn marks, make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the affected areas and leave it on for several hours before washing and drying as normal.

Lemon juice and salt

• Mix lime juice and salt together in the burnt pan.
• Let the mixture sit for several minutes.
• Sprinkle in some more salt.
• Use a rough sponge or scouring pad to scrub away the burnt residue.
• Rinse the pan with water to remove any remaining salt and lime juice.

This method works because of the acidic nature of lime juice, which helps to break down burnt-on food. The salt acts as a mild abrasive, helping to scour away the charred mess.

For more stubborn burnt-on food, you can try combining lemon juice with other household items such as baking soda or vinegar.

Frequently asked questions