Cleaning Pans: Removing Stubborn Buildup Easily And Effectively

Pans are essential kitchenware, but they can be a pain to clean. Grease, burnt-on food, and other gunk can build up, especially if pans are left to soak for too long or food is burnt during cooking. This buildup can ruin the non-stick surface of pans and affect their performance. There are several methods to clean pans effectively, ranging from using baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice to more unconventional methods like ketchup, cola, and fabric softener sheets. The best method depends on the type of pan and the severity of the buildup.

Use baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are a great combination to clean the bottoms of pans and pots. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use these ingredients to clean your pans:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. For burnt-on food, you can use a spatula or scraper to loosen the residue before cleaning the pan.

Step 2: Boil Water and Vinegar

Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Bring the water to a boil, then place the pan in the sink. Add white vinegar to the hot water in the pan. The amount of vinegar you use should be enough to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid. The vinegar will help neutralise odours and loosen baked-on food residue.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Keep the pan in the sink to avoid messy overflows. Add baking soda to the pan and watch it react with the vinegar. The baking soda and vinegar will begin to bubble and fizz, creating a foaming cleaner that will help remove stains and burnt-on food.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Let the mixture fizz and work its magic for a few minutes. The chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar will help lift caked-on food residue.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

Using a scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the inside of the pan vigorously, focusing on stained or scorched areas. You will be surprised at how effective this combination is at removing grime!

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

Empty the pan and rinse with hot water. Wash the pan with dish soap and a clean sponge, then dry it with a clean dish towel.

Additional Tips:

• For stubborn stains, create a baking soda and water paste. Apply this paste to the stained areas and scrub with a scouring sponge.
• For cast iron pans, avoid using vinegar as it can create rust. Instead, make a paste with baking soda and water, and scrub with a stiff-bristle brush or scouring pad.
• Always ensure your pans are thoroughly dried after cleaning to prevent the development of water spots and dried, white calcium spots.

Boil water and vinegar in the pan

To clean buildup on pans, one effective method is to boil water and vinegar in the pan. This is a simple, two-ingredient method that can help remove burnt-on, tacky patina, grease, and food buildup. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Fill your pan with water, ensuring that all the buildup is covered.
• Add vinegar to the water. For a standard-sized pan, use half a cup of distilled white vinegar. You can also add a few squirts of grease-fighting dish soap for extra cleaning power.
• Place the pan on the stove and bring the liquid to a boil.
• Let the mixture simmer. For stubborn buildup, simmer for about 10 minutes or until you see that the buildup has loosened and floated to the top.
• Dump the liquid and buildup from the pan. Be careful as the pan and its contents will be hot.
• Wash the pan with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad and hot, soapy water. You can use a nylon scrubbing pad or a non-scratch sponge.
• Rinse and dry the pan thoroughly.

This method works because vinegar is a mild acid that can help break down and dissolve buildup, while the boiling water helps to loosen and lift away the residue. It is important to use distilled white vinegar for this purpose, as other types of vinegar may not be as effective or may leave a strong odour.

Use fabric softener sheets

If you're looking for a way to clean your pans without the elbow grease, fabric softener sheets are a great option. This method is especially useful for scorched pots, burned pans, and glass bakeware with stubborn, broiled-in gunk.

To clean your pans with fabric softener sheets, simply place a sheet in the bottom of the pan and fill it with warm water, making sure to cover the charred bits. Let the pan soak for 15 to 20 minutes, or even overnight for more severe cases. The conditioning properties of the fabric softener sheet will help loosen the burnt-on food, making it easy to sponge away the mess.

After soaking, you can wipe the pan with a wet sponge, and the caked-on grease and food should lift easily. Finally, wash the pan with soap and water as you normally would.

This method is not only effective but also cheap and easy, requiring just a fabric softener sheet and some warm water. It's a great way to get your pans looking like new again without the hard work of scrubbing.

Try Bar Keeper's Friend

If you're looking for a powerful cleaning agent to remove buildup from your pans, Bar Keepers Friend is a great option. This trusted brand has been around for over a hundred years, providing industrial-strength cleaning products that are safe and gentle on surfaces.

Bar Keepers Friend offers a range of cleaning products, including a powdered cleanser, a superior cookware cleanser, and polish, as well as a soft cleanser. The original 1882 formula is bleach-free and ideal for removing rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces.

To use Bar Keepers Friend on your pans, follow these steps:

• Sprinkle a small amount of the cleanser onto your pan.
• Add a few drops of water to create a paste.
• Let the paste sit for about a minute.
• Using a gentle scrubber, scrub the pan in even, circular motions. Avoid using steel wool or abrasive pads, especially if your pan has a special coating.
• Rinse the pan thoroughly with water.
• Dry the pan with a soft cloth to buff it to a shine.

It's important to note that Bar Keepers Friend is a potent cleaner, so always wear dishwashing gloves when using it. Additionally, some users have mentioned that it's important to be careful with certain surfaces as the product can leave buffing scratches.

With its ability to tackle tough stains and gentle formula, Bar Keepers Friend is a great choice for cleaning buildup on your pans and restoring them to their former glory.

Freeze the pan

If you want to clean a nonstick pan, one method is to use cold instead of heat. Place the pan in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then, take the pan out of the freezer and scrape the grease off with a non-abrasive scrub pad. This method is a good alternative to using hot water and soap, or vinegar and hot water, to remove stubborn buildup.

Frequently asked questions