Stainless Steel Pan Burned? Here's The Quick-Clean Therapy

Burnt stainless steel pans are rarely beyond repair. There are several cleaning methods that can be used to restore them, most of which use common ingredients found in your kitchen pantry. For example, a combination of baking soda and vinegar can be used to create an effervescent cleaning paste that is perfect for breaking through tough deposits like burnt food. Another method is to use a combination of water and dish soap, which can be effective in removing burnt-on food, especially if the pan is soaked overnight.

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean a burnt stainless steel pan with baking soda and vinegar, you will need the following:

• 1 cup of white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 cup of water (adjustable depending on the size of your pan)
• A scouring pad

• Place the pan on the stovetop and fill the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of water.
• Bring the pan to a boil.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• Add the vinegar to the pan and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the baking soda. This will cause a fizzing reaction. It is recommended to do this step in the sink as there will be a "dramatic fizz".
• Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling stops.
• Empty and discard the liquid from the pan.
• Scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda or water as necessary.
• Rinse the pan clean and dry it.

This method combines the power of vinegar, an acid that can tackle messes like grease and grime, with baking soda, a mild abrasive that can help neutralize acidic burnt foods. The combination of these two agents creates a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food from the pan.

Boiling water and baking soda

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Start by scrubbing away as much of the burnt food as possible from the pan using a non-abrasive scrubber. It is important to avoid steel wool or wire scrubbers, as these can scratch the stainless steel surface.

Step 2: Boil Water

Next, fill the pan with water. Make sure there is enough water to cover the burnt areas. Bring the water to a boil. You can add a small amount of dish soap to the water if desired. Let the water simmer for a few minutes.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Once the water is boiling, add a few spoonfuls of baking soda. The amount of baking soda will depend on the size of your pan. For a small pan, start with 2 tablespoons, and for a larger pan, use about 1/4 cup of baking soda. You can always add more if needed.

Step 4: Mix and Simmer

Briefly mix the baking soda and water together. Continue simmering until most of the water has evaporated. The baking soda will form a film around the walls of the pan.

Step 5: Remove from Heat and Cool

When most of the water has boiled off, turn off the heat. Allow the pan to cool down enough to handle safely. You can use gloves and grip the pan with a towel or oven mitt to protect your hands.

Step 6: Scrub the Pan

Once the pan is cool, use a long-handled brush or scouring pad to scrub off the burnt residue. For best results, use a new scouring pad with a fresh, unworn scrubby side. Scrub until all the burnt food and stains are removed. Rinse the pan with warm water and wash it with soap if needed.

Tips and Variations:

• For more heavily burnt pans, you can try fully submerging the pan in a larger pot or roasting pan filled with boiling water and baking soda. Let the pan cook for about 15 to 30 minutes, then remove it from the water and scrub while it is still hot.
• To clean a burnt non-stick pan, mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, baking soda, and a small amount of water in the pan. Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil for up to 5 minutes. Then, remove from the heat, let it cool, rinse with warm water, and wash with soap.
• For lighter stains, you can simply make a paste with baking soda and a small amount of water, apply it to the pan, and scrub with a soft sponge.

Boiling water and dish soap

First, fill the burnt pan with water, ensuring that the water level is high enough to cover the stuck-on food or burnt residue. Adding a bit of dish soap to the water can help with the cleaning process. The soap will work in tandem with the hot water to loosen and lift away the burnt residue.

Next, place the pan on the stovetop and bring the water to a boil. The boiling water will further help to loosen the burnt-on food, making it easier to remove. Once the water has reached a rolling boil, reduce the heat and let the water simmer for a few minutes.

After simmering, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down. This step is important, as you don't want to handle a hot pan with your bare hands. The cooling period will also give the water and soap more time to work their magic, further loosening the burnt residue.

Once the pan is cool enough to handle, use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently scrape away any remaining stuck-on food. The boiling water and soap should have significantly weakened the bond between the food and the pan, making it easier to remove. If necessary, you can repeat the boiling process to further loosen the residue.

Finally, wash the pan as you normally would with hot water and dish soap, using a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber. Make sure to dry the pan thoroughly after washing to prevent water spots and maintain its stainless-steel finish.

This method is simple, effective, and uses readily available household items. It is important to note that you should always let your stainless-steel cookware cool down before cleaning to avoid warping and always avoid using abrasive tools like steel wool, which can damage the surface.

Lemon juice

To clean a burnt stainless steel pan with lemon juice, first remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, fill the pan with a thin layer of water and sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda. Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh to scour the pan, working the baking soda into a slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda will create a slight fizzing reaction, which is a good sign as it helps to loosen burnt food.

Once you have scoured the pan, remove the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Finally, rinse and dry the pan as normal.

Cola

If you have burned your stainless steel pan, don't worry, as there are several ways to clean it without too much scrubbing. One method is to use cola, which is super acidic and works well to loosen burnt-on messes.

First, pour some cola into the pan and fill it to about an inch. Then, place the pan on the stovetop and heat it up, letting the cola simmer gently. You should see the burnt gunk starting to loosen. Keep simmering until most of the liquid has evaporated, then scrape off the remaining residue.

If there are any stubborn marks left, you can repeat the process or try another method. One option is to use a combination of vinegar and baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda all over the affected area, then add a small amount of vinegar, which will cause a chemical reaction and start to fizz. Scrub the pan thoroughly, then rinse and dry.

Another alternative is to use a paste made from baking soda and water. Cover the burnt parts of the pan with this paste and let it sit for a while before rinsing. You can also try using coarse salt, which is an effective way to scrub away charred messes. Sprinkle salt over the burnt areas and let it sit for about five minutes before scrubbing with a rough sponge.

With these tips, you can easily clean your burned stainless steel pan and have it looking like new again.

Frequently asked questions