Get Rid Of Burn Stains On Pans Easily

Burnt pans are a common problem, but there are several ways to clean them without too much scrubbing. One popular method involves using baking soda and vinegar. First, fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar and bring to a boil. Then, add baking soda and let it react. Finally, scrub the pan with a scouring pad and wash as normal. Other methods include using dishwasher tablets, dryer sheets, lemons, or aluminium foil and baking soda.

Vinegar and baking soda

Cleaning Burn Stains from Pans with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Overview

Baking soda and vinegar are two common household items that can be used to clean burnt stains from pans. This method is natural and affordable, but it does require some elbow grease and time. The process involves using a combination of these ingredients to create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food, which can then be scrubbed away.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Remove burnt food and debris from the pan as much as possible.
• Fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar, ensuring there is at least 1/2 inch of liquid covering the bottom of the pan.
• Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Turn off the heat and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Be cautious, as mixing baking soda and vinegar can cause an explosive reaction.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let it soak for up to 15 minutes.
• Discard the liquid down the drain.
• Scrub away any remaining burnt-on bits with a sponge or scouring pad.
• If stubborn spots remain, apply a paste made of baking soda and a small amount of water.
• Let the paste sit for a few minutes, then scrub again with a scouring pad and dish soap.
• Rinse and dry the pan as usual.

Tips

• This method works best for stainless steel cookware and not those with non-stick coatings.
• Be sure to slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water to avoid a vigorous reaction.
• For heavier duty cleaning, add more baking soda to create a fizzing reaction that helps break down burnt food.

Dishwasher tablets

To use this method, simply add a little water to the pan and place it on low heat. Then, remove the pan from the heat source and scrape a dishwasher tablet over the burnt areas. Finally, rinse the pan with warm soapy water and scrub with a brush or sponge if needed.

This method is both quick and efficient, taking as little as three to five minutes to complete. It is also relatively mess-free compared to other cleaning methods. However, it is important to note that it may require using more than one dishwasher tablet, which could make it a costly option.

One recommended product is the Finish Powerball deep clean tabs, which are left in their plastic coating while scrubbing to help maintain the tablet's shape.

Boiled lemons

To clean a burnt pan with boiled lemons, follow these steps:

Step 1:

Quarter two or three lemons and place them in the pan. You can also cut the lemons into eights or slices, as long as you have enough pieces to cover the bottom of the pan.

Step 2:

Fill the pan with a few inches of water, making sure to cover the burnt area.

Step 3:

Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Continue boiling for 5-10 minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface.

Step 4:

Turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove. Allow the water to cool, then dump out the lemons and dirty water.

Step 5:

Use a scouring pad or brush to remove any leftover bits of burnt food. You may need to use some dish soap and scrub lightly to fully remove the burnt residue.

Step 6:

Rinse out your pot with clean water. Repeat if necessary until your pot is fully cleaned.

This method is simple and effective, and it leaves your pans looking like new. It is also a great way to make use of leftover lemons.

Deglazing technique

Deglazing is a simple technique to loosen burnt food from a pan and create a sauce or gravy. It involves adding liquid to a hot pan to remove the brown, flavorful bits stuck to the pan's surface. Here is a step-by-step guide to the deglazing technique:

Step 1: Remove Burnt Food and Debris

Start by removing as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Use a wooden spatula or scraper to dislodge the stuck-on food gently.

Step 2: Heat the Pan

Place the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles on the surface. This ensures that the pan is hot enough for the next step.

Step 3: Add Liquid and Deglaze

Add a liquid of your choice to the hot pan. You can use water, vinegar, wine, beer, spirits, lemon juice, or any combination of these liquids. For a pan with a large surface area, use one cup of liquid or a mixture of half a cup of water and half a cup of vinegar.

As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the burnt food. Scrape vigorously to remove as much of the burnt-on food as possible.

Step 4: Pour Out the Liquid

Once you have loosened and lifted most of the burnt food, pour the liquid into the sink. Do not dry or wipe the pan at this stage.

Step 5: Sprinkle with Baking Soda

Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda. The baking soda will react with the remaining liquid and burnt food residue, aiding in further loosening the burnt-on food.

Step 6: Cool the Pan

Allow the pan to cool down. This gives the baking soda time to work on the remaining stains and scorch marks.

Step 7: Scrub the Pan

Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pan vigorously. The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive, helping to lift the remaining burnt food and stains.

Step 8: Wash and Dry

Once all the stains and scorch marks have been removed, wash and dry the pan as you normally would. Your pan should now be clean and ready to use again!

The deglazing technique is an effective way to clean burnt pans, and it also allows you to create flavorful sauces or gravies by incorporating the loosened bits from the pan.

Dryer sheets

If you're looking for a way to clean a burnt pan without the scrubbing, a dryer sheet could be the answer. This laundry staple can be used to clean scorched pots, burned pans, and glass bakeware.

Here's how to do it:

• Pour warm water into the dirty dish.
• Place a dryer sheet on the surface of the water.
• Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, or even overnight for really baked-in messes.
• Wipe the dish with a wet sponge. The caked-on grease and food should lift easily with the soft side of the sponge.

The conditioning properties of the dryer sheet, released into the water, are likely what helps to remove the gunk.

It's worth noting that this method may not work for all types of burnt-on food. Some people who have tried this hack have reported that while it helped to loosen the top layer of burnt-on food, they still needed to use another cleaning method to get their pan fully clean.

Frequently asked questions