Cleaning Pans With Pink Stuff: Effective Methods

Burnt pans are a common problem, and while scourers can remove burn marks, they can also leave pans scratched and unsightly. Mrs Hinch fans have been raving about The Pink Stuff, a miracle cleaning paste that can be used on burnt pans, cooker tops, sinks, barbecues, tiles, showers, and more.

One Mrs Hinch fan took to Facebook to share her cheapest trick to remove burnt stains from a saucepan: Why have I never tried The Pink Stuff? Cleaned the bottom of my saucepan today with tin foil and The Pink Stuff paste and it did it in half the time it would have taken with other cleaning products.

However, another user on Reddit claimed that The Pink Stuff could not fix burn marks on their T-fal pan, even after scrubbing with Barkeeper's Friend and a Magic Eraser.

Using tin foil and The Pink Stuff paste

If you're looking for an easy way to clean the bottom of burnt pans, look no further than The Pink Stuff paste. This tough cleaning paste is gentle on surfaces but tough on stains, making it perfect for removing burnt stains from pots and pans. It can also be used on cooker tops, sinks, uPVC, barbecues, ceramic tiles, glass, showers and more.

To use The Pink Stuff paste, apply it to the burnt areas of your pan and leave it for five to 10 minutes. For extra cleaning power, pair it with tin foil. Scrunch up a small piece of tin foil and, using circular motions, gently rub the paste into the pan. You'll know the product is working when the once-pink paste starts to turn grey. Rinse the pan with warm soapy water and admire your handiwork!

The Pink Stuff paste can be purchased from Ocado for £1 or Sainsbury's for £1.65. The tin foil costs 68p from Asda.

Pairing The Pink Stuff paste with baking soda

To use The Pink Stuff paste effectively, apply it to the surface of your pan with a soft cloth, sponge, or brush. Gently rub the paste in small circular motions, being careful not to scrub too hard to avoid damaging the pan's surface. Let the paste sit for 30 seconds to 15 minutes, depending on how burnt-on the food residue is. Then, wipe away the paste with warm water, either by repeatedly wiping with a clean, wet cloth or by rinsing the pan under hot running water.

For extra cleaning power, Mrs Hinch fans recommend pairing The Pink Stuff paste with tin foil. Apply the paste to the burnt areas of your pan and then use a small piece of scrunched-up tin foil to gently rub the paste into the pan in circular motions. You will see the pink paste start to turn grey, indicating that it is working. Rinse the solution, and the burnt stains will disappear.

For burnt-on grease, a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water can also be applied to the bottom of the pan and left for about 10 minutes. Then, scrub with a non-scratch sponge to remove most marks. Finish with a final clean and wipe with a microfiber cloth to get your pots back in shape!

Using Barkeeper's Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a fantastic product for cleaning the bottom of your pans. It's a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used on stainless steel items and other materials, such as copper and cast iron.

Step 1: Wet the Pan's Surface

Start by wetting the surface of the pan you want to clean. This will help activate the Bar Keepers Friend powder and create a paste-like consistency.

Step 2: Apply Bar Keepers Friend

Sprinkle a generous amount of the powder onto the wet surface of the pan. You can also add a little extra water to ensure the powder is properly hydrated and forms a paste.

Step 3: Scrub the Pan

Using a soft sponge or cloth, scrub the pan in a circular motion. For heavily burnt or greasy pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool first, then switch to a softer sponge. Continue scrubbing until the paste is fully worked into the surface, and you start seeing results.

Step 4: Rinse and Repeat if Necessary

Rinse the pan with warm water to remove the paste and check the results. If there are still some stubborn stains, repeat the process, ensuring you give the product a minute or two to work its magic before rinsing.

Tips:

• Bar Keepers Friend is safe to use on both stainless steel and copper cookware, so you can use it on pans with mixed materials.
• While Bar Keepers Friend is safe for your pans, always wear kitchen gloves when scrubbing to protect your skin.
• Don't let the paste sit on the pan for longer than a minute, but you can scrub for longer before rinsing.
• For regular maintenance, use Bar Keepers Friend after each use to keep your pans looking brand new.

Bar Keepers Friend is a powerful yet affordable solution for cleaning your pans. It will save you from having to buy new pans, and it's a product that every home cook should have in their cleaning arsenal!

Soaking in cola

Soaking your pans in cola is a popular method for removing burnt-on grease and grime. Cola contains carbonic acid, which is excellent at cleaning away stubborn dirt and grime. While it may not be the healthiest drink, cola won't burn your insides, and it can be an effective cleaner for your cookware.

To clean your pans with cola, simply pour the cola into the pan, making sure the burnt areas are covered. Leave the pan to soak for a few hours or even overnight. Then, rinse the pan with warm, soapy water to wash away the cola and the burnt residue.

While this method can be effective, it may not be the best option for heavily soiled pans. In one test, cola removed only 83% of grime from a stainless steel surface. Additionally, it can be time-consuming, requiring several hours of soaking.

There are alternative methods for cleaning burnt pans that may be more effective and faster. For example, using a dishwasher tablet or baking soda and vinegar can produce good results. However, if you have cola available and want to give it a try, it may be worth the effort to restore your pans to their former glory.

Using ketchup

Ketchup is a great way to clean the burnt-on black and brown layer on your brass and stainless steel pots and pans. It can also be used to clean metal surfaces of appliances or even just utensils. Ketchup is a great hack for using a common condiment.

Ketchup is probably best known for its ability to get copper and sterling silver back to their original shine, thanks to its acidity. If your copper or stainless steel pan is in need of a clean or a polish (and you don't have a lemon and kosher salt on hand), this is a great hack for using the common condiment. Bear in mind that this won't remove super stuck-on stains, but it will impart a slight sheen.

• Place a layer of newspaper on a flat surface and turn the pan over to access the underside.
• Use a spoon or rubber spatula to slather an even layer of ketchup onto the bottom surface.
• Let the pan sit with the ketchup and reapply if the ketchup drips down the sides.
• Allow the ketchup to sit and work on the grime for approximately 30 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, wipe a small area with a paper towel and see if the dirty surface has thinned out.
• If it looks like the burnt-on part of the pan needs more time for the acid in the ketchup to break down the gunk, you can let the ketchup sit for another 20 minutes or so.
• When you're ready to remove the ketchup, work with a metal spatula to scrape off the grime to reveal a clean surface underneath. You can also ball up some aluminum foil and work in a circular motion.
• Give the pan a rinse with warm, soapy water in the sink and dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

Ketchup is a great, natural way to clean your pans. It is also extremely effective due to the properties of the ingredients in ketchup. The acetic acid in the ketchup attacks the copper oxide (part of that black-brown layer) created during cooking.

Frequently asked questions