Get Rid Of Stubborn Stains On Your Pots And Pans

Burnt pots and pans are a common problem for home cooks. Luckily, there are several methods for cleaning the bottom of your pans, and most of them use common household products. For example, you can try using baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, or even ketchup. For tough stains, you may need to use a commercial cleaner, such as Bar Keepers Friend, Bon Ami, or Zud.

Use baking soda and water to make a paste, leave for 10 minutes, then scrub with a non-scratch sponge

To clean bottom stains from pots and pans, a paste made from baking soda and water can be used. This method is suitable for stainless steel, cast iron, and non-stick pans.

First, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of water. Then, sprinkle baking soda over the water to create a paste. The paste should be thick enough to fully coat the bottom of the pan.

Let the paste sit for about 10 minutes. After this, scrub the paste with a non-scratch sponge or nylon brush. If the stains are particularly stubborn, more baking soda can be added, and the process repeated.

Finally, rinse the pan with warm water and wash with dish soap and a clean sponge. Dry the pan with a clean dish towel.

Try Bar Keeper's Friend. Make a paste with water, leave for 10 minutes, then scrub

If you're looking for a way to clean the bottom of your pots and pans, Bar Keepers Friend is a great option. This bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product can be used to remove tough stains from stainless steel and several other surfaces.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of the pan. Next, make a paste by mixing the powder with a little water. Apply this paste to the bottom of the pan and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Finally, scrub the pan with a non-scratch sponge and rinse it clean.

This method may require some elbow grease, but it's an effective way to remove burnt-on stains and discolouration from your pots and pans, bringing them back to life!

Boil water and baking soda in the pan, scrub with a long-handled brush

To clean bottom stains from pots and pans, one effective method is to boil water and baking soda in the pan, and then scrub with a long-handled brush. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

• Firstly, remove as much of the burnt or stuck-on food from the pan as possible. Use a spatula or scraper to get rid of the excess.
• Next, add a small mound of baking soda to the centre of the pan. The exact amount will depend on the size of your pan, but a good starting point is to use 1/4 cup of baking soda.
• Now, pour in some water. You want to add enough so that it covers the baking soda and forms a thin layer at the bottom of the pan. A good starting amount is 1/4 cup of water for a small pan.
• Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the water to a boil. As the water boils, it will slowly evaporate, leaving behind a film of baking soda on the pan's surface.
• Once most of the water has boiled off, turn off the heat. Be sure to wear gloves and use a towel or oven mitt to handle the hot pan safely.
• Now, it's time to scrub! Use a long-handled brush or a scouring pad to scrub away the burnt or stuck-on food. For best results, use a new scouring pad, as these tend to be more effective at removing stains.
• Finally, rinse the pan with water and dry it off with a clean towel. Your pan should now be stain-free and looking as good as new!

This method is particularly effective for removing fresh stains from pots and pans. For older, tougher stains that have accumulated over time, you may need to repeat the process or try a different cleaning technique.

Soak in a solution of hot water and baking soda

So, you've burnt your pan. Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. And there's a simple solution: soak it in a mixture of hot water and baking soda.

First, remove as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste with three parts baking soda to one part hot water. You'll want to make enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the affected area.

Now, let the mixture sit. You can leave it for a few hours or even overnight. Once the paste has worked its magic, add a bit more baking soda and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. If you're short on time, you can also put the pan on the stove and let the mixture come to a boil. Just be sure to remove it from the heat quickly so that the paste doesn't burn.

Finally, wash and dry the pan as you normally would. And that's it! Your pan should now be stain-free and good as new.

Use vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar and baking soda are a great combination for cleaning the bottom of your pots and pans. This method is particularly effective for stainless steel and copper cookware.

First, turn your pan upside down and sprinkle baking soda over the bottom. Next, pour vinegar over the bottom of the pan. You should see a fizzing reaction as the alkaline baking soda combines with the acidic vinegar to create a foaming cleaner.

Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan, adding to the chemical reaction. Scrub the entire bottom of the pan, and up the sides as needed.

Rinse the pan thoroughly with water and dry it with a cloth.

For a heavier-duty clean, you can also try boiling vinegar in the pan and letting it simmer for a few minutes before removing it from the heat and adding baking soda. This will create a more vigorous fizzing reaction, so it might be best to do this in the sink. Once the reaction has died down, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a brush or sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Rinse and dry the pan as normal.

Frequently asked questions