Cleaning Pans After Brittle: Easy Steps To Shine

Cleaning a pan after making brittle can be a challenge, but with the right techniques and some elbow grease, it can be done! Here are some methods to try: the baking soda and vinegar method, where you boil a mixture of water and vinegar, add baking soda, and then scrub; the boiled lemon method, which involves boiling lemon slices in water and then scrubbing; using Bar Keepers Friend, a household cleaning product; or the aluminium foil and baking soda method, which involves scrubbing with a foil ball and baking soda paste. For non-stick pans, it's important to avoid abrasive tools and steel wool.

Use vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar and baking soda are a great combination for cleaning burnt pans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use them effectively:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Fill your burnt pan with equal parts water and vinegar. The amount of water and vinegar you use will depend on the size of your pan—you want to ensure that the bottom of the pan is covered with a thin layer of the liquid mixture.

Step 2: Boil the Mixture

Place the pan on the stovetop and bring the mixture to a boil. This step will help to loosen any burnt-on food and grease. You will notice that the mixture starts to work its magic even before it reaches a boil.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Once the mixture is boiling, remove the pan from the heat. This is an important step to prevent a dramatic fizzing reaction. Now, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pan. The baking soda will react with the vinegar, creating a powerful cleaning combination.

Step 4: Soaking (Optional)

At this point, you can choose to let the pan soak for up to 15 minutes. This is especially helpful if you have stubborn burnt-on residue. The longer you let it soak, the easier it will be to remove the burnt bits.

Step 5: Scouring

After soaking, discard the liquid down the drain. Use a scouring pad or sponge to scrub away any remaining burnt-on food. If you encounter super stubborn marks, create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply this paste to the marks and let it sit for a while before scouring again.

Tips and Tricks:

• Be cautious when mixing baking soda and vinegar, as it can cause an explosive reaction. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water to avoid a mess.
• For extra scrubbing power, you can add natural cleaning agents like lemon juice or salt to the baking soda paste.
• If you're cleaning a non-stick pan, use a non-stick-safe nylon scrubbing brush to avoid damaging the coating.
• Always rinse and dry your pan thoroughly after cleaning to remove any residual cleaning agents.

Try a dishwasher tablet

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to clean a burnt pan, look no further than your dishwasher tablet! Here's a step-by-step guide to getting your pan sparkling clean:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

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

Step 2: Scour with the Dishwasher Tablet

Once the pan is slightly warmed, turn off the heat. Take a dishwasher tablet (such as Finish Powerball Deep Clean Tabs) and, keeping the plastic coating on, gently scour the burnt areas of the pan with it. You may want to wear gloves for this step. The burnt-on food should start coming off immediately.

Step 3: Rinse and Wash

After a few minutes of scouring, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining food particles and detergent. Then, wash the pan with warm, soapy water as you normally would.

Tips for Best Results:

• While other brands of dishwasher tablets may work, Finish Powerball Deep Clean Tabs have been found to be particularly effective at lifting grease and burnt-on food.
• This method may require using two or more dishwasher tablets to thoroughly clean one pan, so it could be a bit pricey. However, the convenience and effectiveness of this method make it well worth the expense.
• If you're concerned about the cost, try cutting the dishwasher tablet in half and seeing if that's enough to get the job done.
• This method can also be used to clean your oven, so you can kill two birds with one stone!

So, the next time you're facing a tough, burnt-on mess, don't despair. Simply reach for a dishwasher tablet and watch your pan transform back to its former glory!

Boil lemons in the pan

Boiling lemons is an effective way to clean a burnt pan. The acid in the lemon and the boiling water can get rid of tough gunk, and the lemon can replace the smell of burnt food with a sweet citrus scent.

To clean your pan with lemons, start by cutting two lemons into quarters, eighths, or slices. You want to have enough pieces to cover the bottom of the pan. Next, add water to the pan until the burnt area is covered. Bring the water to a rolling boil and let it boil for about five minutes. You may even see the burnt specks coming off the bottom of the pan as the lemons move around. After boiling, let the water cool down and dump out the lemons and dirty water. You will likely be left with a thin brown layer at the bottom of the pan. Use a brush or scouring pad to scrub away the remaining grime. Rinse the pan with hot, clean water.

This method is fantastic, especially if you've been cooking with lemons and have some leftovers to use. It is an easy and efficient way to clean a burnt pan, requiring hardly any scrubbing effort.

Soak with a dryer sheet

This method has gained traction online as a means of removing stubborn, baked-on food from pans and glassware. To try it out, add a few drops of dish soap and some hot water to your dirty pan. Then, submerge a dryer sheet in the water and let the pan soak for an hour. After an hour, remove and discard the dryer sheet and rinse out the pan using a scouring pad and dish soap.

While this method may not produce perfect results, it will loosen the burnt-on food and save you some elbow grease when it comes to scrubbing. To improve the efficacy of this method, you could try increasing the soak time and adding in a second or third dryer sheet.

If you're uncomfortable with the idea of soaking a dryer sheet in your pan, there are other methods you can try, such as using a dishwasher tablet, boiling lemons, or scrubbing with aluminium foil and baking soda.

Use Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a popular product for cleaning burnt pans. It is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used on stainless steel items and other surfaces like ceramic and glass. It can remove tough grease and oil stains, rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces. It also helps protect the surfaces of your pans, preventing them from future tarnishing and rusting.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of your pan. Then, make a paste by sprinkling a generous amount of the powder and adding a few drops of water. You can also use the moisture on the pan's surface to create the paste. For very dirty or greasy pans, you can start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge or cloth.

Rub the paste in a circular motion and let it sit for about a minute. Do not let the paste sit for longer than 60 seconds. After that, rinse the pan thoroughly with hot water. If needed, repeat the process for any stubborn spots.

Always wear kitchen gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend, as the product is abrasive and can be harsh on sensitive skin. Also, be sure to rinse the pan well after cleaning, as the product is not meant to be left on the surface for an extended period.

Bar Keepers Friend is an effective and affordable solution for cleaning burnt pans, saving you time and money.

Frequently asked questions