Restore Your Burned Pots And Pans To Their Former Glory

Burnt pots and pans are a common problem, but there are several simple and effective ways to tackle the issue. The best method will depend on the type of cookware and the severity of the burn. Here are some of the most popular techniques to clean burnt cookware.

Boiling water and vinegar with baking soda

Step 1: Boil Water and Vinegar

Start by filling your burnt pot or pan with water. Use enough water to cover the charred or burnt area. Then, add an equal amount of white vinegar. Place the pot or pan on the stove and bring the water and vinegar mixture to a boil.

Step 2: Simmer and Cool

Once the mixture reaches a boil, turn down the heat slightly and let it simmer for a few minutes. The combination of heat and vinegar will help loosen the burnt residue. After a few minutes, remove the pot or pan from the heat and let the mixture cool down.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Add about 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pot or pan. The baking soda will react with the vinegar, creating a fizzing reaction. This reaction helps to further loosen the burnt-on grime. You may want to do this step in the sink to minimize any mess from the fizzing.

Step 4: Discard Liquid and Scrub

Once the fizzing has stopped, carefully pour out and discard the liquid. At this point, you can use a plastic spatula or wooden spoon to remove any large burned bits that may be loose. Then, scrub the pot or pan with a cookware-safe dish sponge or scouring pad. The baking soda will act as a mild abrasive to help lift and remove the remaining residue.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

After scrubbing, rinse the pot or pan with warm water to remove any remaining vinegar, baking soda, and residue. Dry the cookware thoroughly, and your pot or pan should be looking good as new!

This method may require some elbow grease and a good scouring pad, but it is an effective way to remove burnt-on residue without the use of harsh chemicals. With these steps, you can restore your cookware to its original shiny state.

Using lemons

Lemons are a great way to clean and shine stainless steel or copper cookware. The citric acid in lemons helps to break down burnt food stains and gets rid of any burnt smell, replacing it with a sweet citrus scent. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use lemons to clean your burnt pots and pans:

Step 1: Cut lemons

Cut two to three lemons into quarters, thick slices, or eighths. You want to have enough lemon pieces to cover the bottom of the pot or pan.

Step 2: Add lemons to the pot or pan

Fill the pot or pan with enough warm water to cover the burnt area. Place the lemon pieces in the water. It's okay if the lemons float! As long as the burnt area is covered, the lemons will do their job.

Step 3: Bring the water to a boil

Place the pot or pan on the stove and bring the water to a rolling boil. You will see the burnt food particles coming off the bottom of the pan as the lemons float around. Boil for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 4: Let the water cool

Turn off the heat and let the water cool to room temperature. This may take a while.

Step 5: Dump out the lemons and water

Once the water has cooled, dump out the lemons and the dirty water. You may be left with a thin brown layer on the bottom of the pot or pan.

Step 6: Scrub away any remaining grime

Lightly scrub the pot or pan with a soft sponge or brush to remove any leftover grime. Rinse the pot or pan with clean water.

Step 7: Wash the pot or pan as usual

After removing the burnt food residue, wash the pot or pan as you normally would.

Dishwasher tablets

Method 1:

Cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it up on low heat. Remove the pan from the heat source and scrape a dishwasher tablet across the burnt areas. Finally, rinse and wash the pan with warm soapy water. This method is quick and easy, taking only a few minutes to complete.

Method 2:

Rinse the dirty pan with hot water, then gently scrub it under warm water with a dishwasher tablet until all the food debris is removed. This method is also simple and effective, leaving your cookware spotless in less than five minutes. However, it may require using more than one dishwasher tablet, which could make it a bit more expensive.

Method 3:

Start by adding a dishwasher tablet, along with a few inches of hot water, to the burnt pot or pan. Let the solution soak for at least 30 minutes. Use a plastic spatula or wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the cookware, testing to see if the burnt food comes off easily. If not, simmer the solution on the stove for about 10 minutes. After removing the pot from the heat, let it soak as it cools down, then discard the liquid and scrub off any remaining residue.

Method 4:

Allow the burnt pan to cool, then fill it with water and add a dishwasher tablet. Put the pan back on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Let it simmer for around 10 minutes, and the burnt bits will simply lift away. Repeat the process if needed, then wash the pan thoroughly as usual. This method is not only effective but also safe for cookware, as it doesn't require abrasive scrubbing.

Coarse salt and dish soap

If your burnt pot or pan doesn’t have a dishwasher-safe symbol, it’s best to clean it by hand. Coarse salt and dish soap can help make your pans sparkle again. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Fill the pot or pan with water

Start by filling your burnt pot or pan with water. The amount of water you use will depend on the size of your cookware and the extent of the burning. Make sure you have enough water to cover the burnt or charred areas.

Step 2: Bring the water to a boil

Once you have filled your pot or pan with water, place it on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the water to a rolling boil. This will help loosen any burnt-on food or residue, making it easier to remove.

Step 3: Add coarse salt and dish soap

After the water has come to a boil, add a generous amount of coarse salt to the pot or pan. Coarse salt, especially kosher salt, is great for removing scorch marks and cutting through greasy messes. Then, add a few squirts of your favourite dish soap to the mixture. The dish soap will help break down the grease and grime, while the coarse salt will act as a gentle abrasive to lift away the burnt-on food.

Step 4: Use a wooden spoon to work away the burnt bits

Using a wooden spoon, gently stir the mixture and work it into the burnt or charred areas. The wooden spoon will help dislodge any stuck-on food or residue without scratching the surface of your cookware. If necessary, you can also use a spatula to gently scrape away any burnt bits that are starting to lift off.

Step 5: Repeat the process if needed

If your pot or pan is still soiled after the first attempt, don't worry! Simply repeat the process by bringing the water, salt, and dish soap mixture to a boil again and working it into the burnt areas with the wooden spoon. This time, let the mixture sit overnight to really give it a chance to work its magic.

Step 6: Scrub away any remaining burnt pieces

After letting the mixture sit overnight, it's time to give your pot or pan a final scrub. Use a non-abrasive scrubbing pad or sponge to gently work away any remaining burnt pieces. Be careful not to use anything too harsh, as this may scratch the surface of your cookware. With a few gentle scrubs, your pot or pan should be looking good as new!

Deglazing

Step 1: Remove Burnt Food and Debris

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

Step 2: Heat the Pan

Place the pan back on the stove and turn on the heat. Heat the pan until a droplet of water sizzles when dropped onto the surface. This indicates that the pan is hot enough for the next step.

Step 3: Add Water or a Water-Vinegar Mixture

Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of ½ cup water and ½ cup white vinegar to the hot pan. The liquid will help to loosen the burnt-on food and make it easier to remove. You can adjust the amount of liquid depending on the size of your pot or pan.

Step 4: Deglaze the Pan

As the liquid simmers, use your spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom and sides of the pan. Scrape and loosen as many bits of burnt food as possible. The hot liquid will help to soften and lift the burnt residue.

Step 5: Pour Out the Liquid

Once you have deglazed the pan, carefully pour the hot liquid down the sink. Do not dry or wipe the pan at this stage.

Step 6: Sprinkle Baking Soda

Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and will help to lift any remaining stains and scorch marks. Let the pan cool down before proceeding to the next step.

Step 7: Scrub the Pan

Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the bottom and sides of the pan vigorously. The combination of heat, liquid, and baking soda will have loosened most of the burnt residue, making it easier to scrub away.

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 pot or pan should now be clean and ready to use again!

The deglazing technique is an effective way to clean burnt pots and pans without the need for harsh chemicals or excessive scrubbing. It utilizes common household ingredients like water, vinegar, and baking soda to remove even the toughest burns. Remember to always exercise caution when handling hot liquids and surfaces.

Frequently asked questions