Cleaning Burned Oil Off Ceramic Pans: A Step-By-Step Guide

Burnt oil can be a pain to clean off ceramic pans, but there are a few simple methods to get your cookware looking like new again. The key is to act fast, as the longer the burnt oil sits, the harder it will be to remove. First, rinse out any loose food particles in the pan. Then, fill the pan with a mixture of water and vinegar and heat it on the stove until it boils. Let the solution cool, then scrape and scrub the pan. Repeat this process until the burnt oil is gone. You can also try using baking soda, salt, or hydrogen peroxide to scrub away the stains. With a little elbow grease and some common household products, your ceramic pans will be good as new!

Soak in warm water and dish soap

To clean burned oil off a ceramic pan, it's important to act fast. The longer the burnt oil stays on the pan, the harder it will be to remove. The first step is to rinse out the pan to remove any food items that are not stuck to the pan's surface. Then, fill your sink with warm water and add a few squirts of dish soap. You can also add a cup of white vinegar to the mix. Submerge the pan in the soapy water and let it soak for at least 30 minutes to loosen the burnt-on food. If the food is still not coming off easily, you can try adding some baking soda to the mix. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the surface of the pan and use a damp sponge to scrub the stains in a circular motion.

For very stubborn stains, you can try a stronger approach. Mix water and white vinegar in a ratio of 2 cups of water to 1/2 cup of vinegar and pour it into the pan. Let the pan soak in this solution overnight. Alternatively, you can place the pan on the stove and heat the solution until it boils. This will help to loosen the burnt-on food. Once the pan has cooled down, use a soft sponge or cloth to scrub away the stains. It's important to avoid using steel wool, abrasive nylon, metal pads, or abrasive cleaners as these can scratch the surface of the pan and reduce its non-stick quality. Finally, rinse the pan with warm water and dry it with a soft dish towel or let it air dry.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can break down food residue and remove stains without scratching or damaging the ceramic coating of your pan. It can also help neutralise odours and flavours that may have been cooked into the pan.

To clean burned oil off a ceramic pan with baking soda, start by removing as much of the burned food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, follow one of the methods below:

The Deglazing Technique

• Put the pan back on the stove and heat until a droplet of water sizzles.
• Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar to the hot pan and allow to boil.
• Use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening bits of burnt food.
• Pour the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.
• 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.
• Wash and dry the pan as normal once all stains and scorched bits have been removed.

The Baking Soda and Water Method

• 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.
• Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the pan.
• Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then add enough baking soda to create a paste.
• Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight, then add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.
• If you don't want to wait, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then put the pan on the stove and let it come to a boil.
• Remove the pan from the heat quickly and let it cool before wiping or scrubbing to remove the scorched bits.

The Baking Soda and Vinegar Method

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove from heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. You will get a fizzing reaction, so it might be best to do this in the sink.
• Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling has stopped.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

The Baking Soda and Lemon Method

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan, then sprinkle the bottom liberally with baking soda.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly, which is a good sign!
• If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to help remove the stains and restore the shine.

General Tips:

• Always allow your ceramic pan to cool completely before attempting to wash it.
• For very stubborn stains, you can try soaking the pan in a mixture of water and white vinegar (2 cups of water to 1/2 cup of vinegar) overnight, or boiling the mixture in the pan for a few minutes to loosen the stain.
• To remove burnt food and stains from a non-stick or ceramic pan, use a nylon brush or a non-scratching sponge.

Boil water and vinegar in the pan

To clean burned oil off a ceramic pan, one method is to boil water and vinegar in the pan. This is a natural method that does not require harsh chemicals.

First, rinse out the pan to remove any food items that are not stuck to the pan's surface. Next, pour one cup of white vinegar and four cups of tap water into the pan. You can use less water if four cups cause an overflow. Place the pan on the stove and turn the stove on low heat. Heat the solution until it begins to boil. Boil the solution for three to five minutes, then turn off the stove and wait for the solution to cool.

Carefully carry the pan to the sink and pour the solution out of the pan. Inspect the pan, and if there is still burned oil, repeat the process until it is all removed.

Remove with a scraper or scrubber

Removing burnt oil from a ceramic pan can be a challenging task. However, it is possible to do so without compromising the pan's surface. Here is a detailed guide on how to effectively remove burnt oil using a scraper or scrubber:

Firstly, it is important to let the pan cool down completely before attempting to clean it. Placing a hot pan under water can cause thermal shock and potentially damage the pan. Once the pan has cooled, rinse out any loose food particles or residue that is not stuck to the pan's surface. This will make the cleaning process easier and help prevent the spread of burnt oil during scraping or scrubbing.

The next step is to fill the pan with a solution of one cup of white vinegar and four cups of tap water. If the pan is small, use less water to avoid overflow. Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to low. Heat the solution until it reaches a gentle boil. Allow the solution to boil for 3 to 5 minutes, then turn off the stove and let it cool down. Carefully carry the pan to the sink and pour out the solution.

Now it's time to start scraping and scrubbing. Using a scraper, gently scrape the inside of the pan to remove any large pieces of burnt oil or food residue. Be careful not to scratch or damage the ceramic coating. After scraping, use a scrubber or sponge to scrub the pan's surface. You can also use a non-abrasive sponge or soft dishcloth to clean the pan without causing scratches. If needed, repeat the process of filling the pan with the vinegar and water solution, boiling it, and scraping and scrubbing until all the burnt oil is removed.

Finally, rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining vinegar or food residue. Dry the pan with a soft dish towel or let it air dry on a dish rack. It is important to avoid using steel wool, abrasive nylon pads, or abrasive cleaners as they can scratch the ceramic coating and reduce its non-stick quality.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove burnt oil from a ceramic pan using a scraper or scrubber. With patience and the right techniques, your ceramic pan can be restored to its original condition.

Repeat until clean

To clean burned oil off a ceramic pan, repeat the following steps until the pan is clean:

• Rinse out any food items that are not stuck to the pan's surface.
• Pour 1 cup of white vinegar and 4 cups of tap water into the pan. Use less water if 4 cups causes an overflow.
• Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to low. Heat the solution until it boils.
• Boil the solution for 3 to 5 minutes, then turn off the stove. Wait until the solution cools.
• Carry the pan carefully to the sink.
• Scrape the inside of the pan with a scraper.
• Scrub the pan with a scrubber or sponge.
• Pour the solution out of the pan.

If the pan is still not clean, repeat the above steps until all the burned oil is removed.

Alternatively, you can try the following method:

• Sprinkle baking soda generously over the surface of the ceramic pan.
• Using a cloth dipped in warm water, rub the baking soda over the surface of the stains in a circular motion.
• Once you have scraped off any burnt food or staining, rinse the area with clear, cool water.

If stains remain, repeat the above steps. The baking soda combined with warm water and a few splashes of white vinegar should be sufficient to remove most burnt food stains. If not, you may need to purchase a commercial ceramic pan cleaner.

Frequently asked questions