Scrub Away Burned Pan Bottoms: Easy Cleaning Methods

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in the kitchen, and there are several methods to clean them effectively. The type of pan and the severity of the burn will determine the best approach. Here are some of the most popular and effective methods to clean a burnt pan, including natural and chemical solutions, as well as tools and techniques to remove stubborn burnt food residue.

Baking soda and vinegar

If you're looking to clean a burnt pan with baking soda and vinegar, here's what you need to do:

Firstly, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Next, fill the pan with water and vinegar in equal measure and bring the mixture to a boil. You'll want to add enough liquid to cover the bottom of the pan by at least half an inch. Once the mixture is boiling, add in 2 tablespoons of baking soda and watch it fizz up. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes until the fizzing stops. Then, discard 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.

This method works because baking soda has mild abrasive properties and an alkaline pH that can help neutralise acidic burnt foods. Combining it with an acid like vinegar creates a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food from the pan.

Boiled lemons

Lemons are a great way to clean and shine stainless steel or copper cookware. The citric acid in lemons helps to break down burned food stains, and it leaves a refreshing citrus scent in your kitchen.

If you don't have lemons, you can also use vinegar and baking soda, or just baking soda, to clean a burnt pan.

Dishwasher tablet

If you're looking to clean the burnt bottom of a pan with a dishwasher tablet, you've come to the right place. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it over low heat. This will help to loosen any burnt-on food and make it easier to remove.

Step 2: Scrape with the Dishwasher Tablet

Remove the pan from the heat and use the dishwasher tablet to scrape away at the burnt residue. The ingredients in the tablet will help to break down and lift away the burnt food. You may need to apply a little pressure and work the tablet over the affected areas in a circular motion.

Step 3: Rinse and Wash

Once you've removed as much of the burnt residue as possible, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining food particles and residue from the dishwasher tablet. Then, wash the pan with warm, soapy water as you normally would.

Tips for Success:

• It's important to wear gloves when handling dishwasher tablets as they can be harsh on the skin.
• If the burnt residue is particularly stubborn, you may need to repeat the process or try a different method.
• While this method is effective, it may not completely remove discolouration from the pan.
• For best results, use a dishwasher tablet from a reputable brand, such as Finish Powerball Tablets.

By following these simple steps, you can effectively clean the burnt bottom of a pan using a dishwasher tablet, leaving your cookware looking as good as new!

Deglazing technique

Deglazing is a simple cooking technique that can be used to clean a burnt pan and simultaneously create a delicious sauce. It involves adding a liquid, such as wine, stock, juice, or water, to a hot pan with stuck-on food bits. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively deglaze a pan:

Step 1: Prepare your stovetop dish

Begin by cooking your desired food in the pan. This could include searing meat, sautéing vegetables, or caramelizing onions. Try to prevent food bits from burning on the bottom of the pan by adjusting the heat or removing the pan from the burner if it starts to burn.

Step 2: Remove food and add liquid

Once your food is cooked, remove it from the pan. While the pan is still hot, carefully add your chosen deglazing liquid. Keep in mind that adding liquid to a hot pan can create a lot of steam, so proceed with caution.

Step 3: Scrape stuck-on food bits

As soon as the deglazing liquid hits the hot pan, start scraping vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula to loosen the stuck-on food bits.

Step 4: Boil the mixture and reduce to a simmer

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. This step helps to intensify the flavour by creating a more concentrated liquid. If you used alcohol as your deglazing liquid, ensure it is fully evaporated before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Use the mixture in a sauce or as a glaze

At this point, you can choose to serve the deglazed mixture as a sauce or drizzle to accompany your dish. Alternatively, you can continue building upon it by adding spices or thickening agents to create a richer sauce. For example, if you seared a steak, you could use the deglazed mixture to create a creamy mushroom sauce to complement your steak.

Tips for effective deglazing:

• Use a stainless steel, aluminum, or cast-iron pan for best results. Non-stick pans are not ideal for deglazing as they prevent food from sticking and caramelizing, resulting in less flavourful sauces.
• Choose your deglazing liquid based on the type of dish you are preparing. Wine pairs well with red meats, while stock complements soups and stews. Citrus juices or vinegar can add a tangy twist, and water is a neutral option if needed.
• If using alcohol for deglazing, continue cooking until the alcohol has cooked off. You will know it's ready when the liquid becomes syrupy and the alcohol smell has dissipated, leaving a sweet and mellow aroma.

Dryer sheet

If you're looking for a way to clean a burnt pan without the scrubbing, a dryer sheet might be your answer. This method has been floating around online for a while, and it seems too good to be true, but it does work!

Here's what you need to do:

Step 1:

Add a few drops of dish soap to the pan, along with some hot water. The water should be pretty hot but not scalding. Make sure you have enough water in the pan to cover the burnt areas.

Step 2:

Submerge a dryer sheet in the water. You can use any type of dryer sheet for this purpose. Push the dryer sheet down so that it is completely underneath the water.

Step 3:

Let the pan soak for an hour. You can set a timer for this. During this time, the conditioning properties of the dryer sheet will start to work on the burnt-on food, loosening it from the pan.

Step 4:

After an hour, remove and discard the dryer sheet. You should already see some of the burnt bits starting to flake off. Rinse the pan with water, and you'll see most of the burnt residue come right off! If needed, use the discarded dryer sheet to scrub off any remaining bits.

Step 5:

Finally, wash the pan as you normally would with soap and water to get rid of any remaining residue.

This method works best for really tough, burnt-on messes. For lighter messes, you might not need to soak the pan for a full hour. You can also try using boiling water instead of hot tap water, as this may speed up the process. Keep in mind that this method may not work perfectly for everyone, and you might need to do a little extra scrubbing, especially for more stubborn burnt-on food.

Frequently asked questions