The Pioneer Woman's Pan Cleaning Guide

The Pioneer Woman is a brand of cookware designed by Ree Drummond, the author of the cooking blog and TV show of the same name. The range includes porcelain-enameled aluminium pots and pans, cast iron frying pans, and stainless steel fused with aluminium for the sides and copper for the bottoms. The non-stick coating on the aluminium cookware is prone to scratching and should be washed by hand with hot water, a soft sponge, and dishwashing liquid. The cast iron pans should be cleaned with oil and a paper towel or dish rag, and dried as soon as possible to prevent rusting.

Cleaning cast iron pans

Cast iron pans are a great addition to your kitchen. They are naturally non-stick, retain heat well, and don't leach chemicals into your food. However, they do require special care when cleaning. Here are some tips for cleaning your cast iron pans to keep them in top shape:

For Lightly Soiled Cast Iron Pans:

• Pour a bit of oil into the pan.
• Use a paper towel or dish rag to rub the pan until it is clean, wiping out any food pieces.
• Since you used oil to clean the pan, it's ready for your next cooking session!

For Cast Iron Pans with More Stubborn Residue:

• Sprinkle an abrasive agent like coarse sea salt or cornmeal into the pan.
• Scrub the pan with a paper towel or dish rag to remove any stuck-on food.
• Finish by rubbing the pan down with oil.

For Cast Iron Pans with Heavily Stuck-on Food:

• For this situation, you can use steel wool or a non-scratching scrubbing pad.
• Place the pan in the sink and run some hot water into it.
• Scrub off the stuck-on food and rinse. If needed, let the pan soak for a bit, but don't leave it in water too long, or it will start to rust.
• Dry the pan as soon as possible. You can set it over a high flame for a few minutes or use a paper towel or dish towel (preferably a dedicated dish towel to avoid staining).
• Let the pan cool down, then apply a thin layer of oil and rub it in with a paper towel or dish rag.

Additional Tips for Caring for Your Cast Iron Pans:

• Avoid using metal spatulas, knives, or steel wool pads on the non-stick surface. Instead, opt for plastic or nylon scrubbers if you need to scrape off burnt-on food.
• Wash cast iron pans by hand with hot water, a soft sponge, and dishwashing liquid.
• Do not place empty cast iron pans over very high heat as it can damage the coating. Stick to low or medium heat for cooking.
• Properly dispose of the pan when the coating starts to flake to avoid food sticking.

How to hand wash Pioneer Woman pans

Firstly, it is important to note that the Pioneer Woman pans are made from a variety of materials, including non-stick, stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramics. The care instructions may vary depending on the material of your pan.

For non-stick pans, it is important to protect the surface by using wooden, silicone, plastic, or nylon utensils and tools. Avoid using metal utensils, knives, or steel wool as they can scratch the surface. If your pan does get scratched, it may affect the non-stick properties, and food may start to stick. Wash non-stick pans by hand with hot water, a soft sponge, and dishwashing liquid. Do not put non-stick pans in the dishwasher, even if the manufacturer claims they are dishwasher-safe.

For cast iron pans, there are a few methods for hand washing, depending on how soiled the pan is. For lightly soiled pans, pour a bit of oil into the pan and use a paper towel or dish rag to wipe it clean, removing any food pieces. For pans with food lightly stuck on, sprinkle an abrasive agent such as coarse sea salt or cornmeal into the pan, then scrub with a paper towel or dish rag. Rinse with hot water and dry immediately. For heavily soiled pans or pans with strong odours, use steel wool or a non-scratch scrubbing pad and hot water to scrub off the stuck-on food. Rinse and dry immediately.

For stainless steel pans, you can use metal utensils without damaging the surface. Wash by hand with hot water, a soft sponge, and dishwashing liquid.

For ceramic pans, hand washing is recommended. Use a soft sponge and dishwashing liquid and avoid abrasive cleaning pads, which can scratch the surface.

In general, it is important to avoid using very high heat with Pioneer Woman pans, especially with non-stick pans, as this can cause the coating to deteriorate. Always allow your pans to cool down before washing and dry them thoroughly after washing to prevent rusting, especially with cast iron pans.

How to clean burnt marks from Pioneer Woman pans

Burnt marks on your Pioneer Woman pans? Don't worry, there are several ways to clean them! Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to remove those stubborn burnt marks and get your pans looking like new again.

Method 1: Vinegar and Baking Soda

This method combines the power of vinegar and baking soda to tackle burnt marks. Here's what you need to do:

• Pour equal parts water and white vinegar into the pan, ensuring it covers the burnt areas.
• Place the pan on the stove and heat the diluted vinegar until it comes to a boil.
• Let it boil for about a minute, then remove it from the heat.
• Drain the vinegar down the sink.
• Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the pan. Baking soda is abrasive and will help lift the burnt marks.
• Use a scouring pad to scrub the pan and remove any remaining burn marks.
• Rinse the pan with water to remove any residue.

Method 2: Dishwasher Tablet

This method is a quick and easy way to clean burnt marks using a dishwasher tablet:

• Cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it over low heat.
• Remove the pan from the heat source.
• Take a dishwasher tablet and gently scrub it over the burnt areas. You can keep the plastic coating on the tablet for this step.
• Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining food debris.

Method 3: Boiled Lemons

This natural method uses the power of lemons to clean burnt marks:

• Cut two to three lemons into quarters.
• Place the lemon quarters into the pan and add enough water to just barely cover the lemons.
• Place the pan on the stove and bring the lemon water to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Continue boiling for 5 to 10 minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface.
• Remove the pan from the heat and discard the lemons.
• Rinse the pan with hot water.
• Use a scouring pad or brush to remove any remaining burnt bits.

Method 4: Aluminum Foil and Baking Soda

This method combines aluminum foil and baking soda for an effective scrub:

• Rinse the dirty pan with hot water and then drain it.
• Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of baking soda generously over the burnt areas.
• Add a few teaspoons of hot water to the pan to create a paste with the baking soda.
• Take a piece of aluminum foil and crumple it into a ball.
• Use the foil ball to scrub the pan in circular motions or back and forth until all the burnt marks are gone.
• Rinse the pan with warm, soapy water to finish cleaning.

Additional Tips:

• Always use plastic, nylon, or wooden utensils when cleaning burnt marks to protect the non-stick surface. Avoid metal utensils, knives, or steel wool.
• Wash Pioneer Woman pans by hand with hot water, a soft sponge, and dishwashing liquid. This is gentler on the non-stick surface than a dishwasher.
• Avoid placing empty non-stick pans over very high heat, as it can damage the coating. Stick to low or medium heat for cooking.
• Properly dispose of pans when the coating starts to flake to prevent food from sticking.

How to clean stuck-on food from Pioneer Woman pans

Pioneer Woman pans are made of porcelain-enameled aluminum and have a nonstick interior. While the nonstick coating is designed to prevent food from sticking to the pan, it is not uncommon for food to get stuck on the pan. Here are some methods to clean stuck-on food from Pioneer Woman pans:

Method 1: Deglazing Technique

• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Put the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles.
• Add a cup of water or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to the hot pan and let it boil. Use more liquid for a larger pan.
• As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the pan, loosening the burnt-on food.
• Pour the liquid down the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.
• Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda and let the pan cool.
• Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pan vigorously.
• Wash and dry the pan as usual once all stains and scorched bits have been removed.

Method 2: Baking Soda and Water

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Make enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try one cup of baking soda and one-third cup of water.
• Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the burnt area.
• 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, and then add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.
• If you don't want to wait, add another one-quarter to one-half 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 to prevent it from burning again. Let the pan cool, and then wipe or scrub to remove the scorched bits.

Method 3: Baking Soda and Vinegar

• 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 half an inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add a cup of baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction, so it's best to do this in the sink.
• Set the pan aside and wait until the fizzing and bubbling stop.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

Method 4: Steel Wool or Non-Scratching Scrubbing Pad

• Put the pan in the sink and run some hot water into it.
• Scrub off all the stuck-on food with steel wool or a non-scratching scrubbing pad.
• Rinse the pan.
• If the food is very stuck on, let the pan soak for a bit. However, do not let cast iron sit in water for too long, or it will start to rust.
• Dry the pan as soon as possible. The best way to dry a cast iron pan is to set it over a high flame for a few minutes. Alternatively, dry the pan with a paper towel or dish towel, but make sure to use a dedicated dish towel to avoid staining.
• Let the pan cool down, then rub some oil into the pan with a paper towel or dedicated dish rag.

Additional Tips:

• To protect the nonstick surface, use plastic utensils and scrubbers on burnt-on food. Avoid using metal utensils, knives, or steel wool pads.
• Wash the pans by hand with hot water, a soft sponge, and dishwashing liquid. This is gentler on the nonstick surface, even if the manufacturer claims that the cookware is dishwasher-safe.
• Do not place empty nonstick pans over very high heat, as it can cause the coating to deteriorate. Instead, use low or medium heat for cooking.

How to clean the outside of Pioneer Woman pans

To clean the outside of your Pioneer Woman pans, you should hand wash them with hot water, a soft sponge, and dishwashing liquid. This is the gentlest way to clean your pans and maintain their non-stick surface.

Although the manufacturer claims that the cookware can be cleaned in the dishwasher, hand washing is always the best option to make non-stick pans last longer. A quick rinse and wipe will clean the enameled porcelain surface.

To avoid damaging the pans, do not use metal utensils, knives, or steel wool on the non-stick surface. Protect the surface by using plastic or nylon utensils and scrubbers.

It is also important to note that non-stick pans should not be placed empty over very high heat as it can cause the coating to deteriorate. Always use low to medium heat for cooking.

If you notice that the coating has started to flake, properly dispose of the pan as food will begin to stick.

Frequently asked questions