Clean Pots And Pans With Baking Soda: Easy And Effective!

Cleaning burnt pots and pans can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and techniques, it is possible to restore them to their former glory. One effective method is to use baking soda, a mild abrasive with alkaline properties, to remove stubborn stains and burnt-on food. When combined with an acid such as vinegar or lemon juice, baking soda creates a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt residue. This natural, non-toxic, and inexpensive household ingredient can be used on various pan types, including stainless steel, aluminium, and cast iron.

To clean the bottom of a burnt pan with baking soda, start by removing as much burnt food and debris as possible. Then, create a paste by mixing baking soda with water, and apply it liberally to the affected area. Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight, and then scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. For heavier-duty cleaning, add vinegar to the baking soda paste, which will create a stronger chemical reaction to break down burnt food. Alternatively, simply sprinkling baking soda on the bottom of the pan and then pouring vinegar over it can also help brighten the darkened bottoms of used pans.

Use baking soda and water to make a paste

To clean the bottom of a burnt pot or pan, a paste made of baking soda and water can be used. Firstly, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste with three parts baking soda to one part water. The paste should be thick enough to fully coat the burnt portion of the pan. For a pot bottom, one cup of baking soda and one-third cup of water should be enough.

Alternatively, you can 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. If you don't want to wait, add a quarter to half a 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 so it doesn't burn again. Let the pan cool, and then wipe or scrub to remove the burnt bits.

Try the deglazing technique

The deglazing technique is a great way to clean your pots and pans with baking soda. It is a simple process that can be done in just a few easy steps. First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, put the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles. Next, add a cup of water or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to the hot pan and let it boil. As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the burnt food.

Pour the liquid down the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan. Instead, sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda and let the pan cool. Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously. Finally, wash and dry the pan as you normally would once all the stains and scorched bits have been removed.

The deglazing technique is an effective way to clean your pots and pans, and it is also a fundamental part of cooking. When meats or vegetables are sautéed, seared, or roasted, they leave behind browned bits stuck to the pan that are packed with flavor. These browned bits can be used to enhance the flavor of the dish being cooked or turned into a gravy, glaze, or sauce to serve with the finished dish. So, the next time you're facing a tough cleaning job on your pots and pans, give the deglazing technique a try!

Use baking soda and vinegar

To clean the bottoms of pots and pans with baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Next, add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least half an inch of liquid. Place the pan on the stove and bring the vinegar to a boil, allowing it to simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add a liberal amount of baking soda – about 1 cup – which will cause a fizzing reaction. Perform this step over the sink, as the reaction can be quite vigorous.

Once the fizzing has stopped, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring pad, adding more baking soda as necessary. Finally, rinse and dry the pan as usual. This method is suitable for stainless steel, aluminium, and copper-bottomed pans.

For an even more intensive clean, especially effective for burnt-on food, try the following:

Again, begin by removing as much food and debris as possible. Then, put the pan back on the stove and heat until a droplet of water sizzles on the surface. Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of half water and half vinegar to the hot pan, and allow it to boil. As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening burnt-on food. Pour out the liquid and, without drying the pan, sprinkle the bottom liberally with baking soda. Let the pan cool, then use a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush to scrub the pot bottom vigorously. Wash and dry the pan as normal once all stains and scorch marks have been removed.

This method is suitable for stainless steel and aluminium pans.

Use baking soda and lemon

Lemon is a great way to clean and shine stainless steel or copper cookware. When combined with baking soda, you can remove black, yellow, or rainbow oxidization stains and help restore a burnt pan. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use baking soda and lemon to clean your pots and pans:

Step 1: Remove Food Debris

Start by scraping off as much food debris from the pan as possible. This will make the cleaning process easier and more effective.

Step 2: Prepare the Pan

Keep a thin layer of water in the pan. You can do this by adding a small amount of water to the pan and spreading it across the surface. This will help create a paste when you add the baking soda.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda

Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda. Make sure the entire surface is covered, creating a paste with the water already in the pan. You want the paste to be thick enough to fully coat the pan.

Step 4: Use Lemon to Scour

Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan. Rub the lemon half over the baking soda paste, covering the entire surface of the pan. The combination of acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda may cause a slight fizzing reaction, which is normal and even desirable as it helps loosen burnt-on food.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Once you have scoured the pan with the lemon, it's time to rinse and dry. Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining residue. Then, use a clean cloth or towel to dry the pan completely.

Additional Tips:

• For copper-bottomed pans, turn the pan upside down and use the lemon and baking soda method to remove stains and restore shine.
• If your pan has tough stains or burnt-on food, you can try a heavier-duty approach by first boiling vinegar in the pan and then adding baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction that can help break down the burnt-on food.
• Baking soda can also be used to clean cast iron pans, but avoid using lemon juice or other acidic substances as they can create rust and damage the pan's seasoning.

Remove burnt food and stains from non-stick or ceramic pans

Burnt food and stains on non-stick or ceramic pans can be a challenge to remove, but with the right techniques and some elbow grease, you can get your pans looking like new again. Here are some detailed instructions to help you remove those stubborn stains and burnt-on foods:

Method 1: Baking Soda and Water

• Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Use a gentle tool like a wooden spatula to scrape away any large pieces of burnt food.
• Cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water. You can also add just enough water to cover the stained or burnt areas.
• Sprinkle baking soda over the water to create a paste. Make sure the paste is thick enough to fully coat the affected areas.
• Let the mixture sit for several hours or even overnight. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at loosening the burnt-on food and stains.
• After the mixture has had time to work, use a nylon brush or a non-stick surface-safe sponge to scrub the pan gently. Avoid using metal tools or abrasive scrubbing pads, as these can damage the non-stick coating.
• If needed, add more baking soda and scrub again until the stains and burnt food are removed.
• Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly.

Method 2: Boiling Baking Soda and Water

• Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• In the pan, create a solution by mixing 1/2 cup of water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda.
• Place the pan on the stove and bring the solution to a boil. Be careful not to let it boil for too long, as you don't want the mixture to burn.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down completely.
• Once cool, add a little more baking soda and scrub the pan with a non-stick surface-safe sponge or nylon brush. Be gentle and avoid using metal tools or abrasive scrubbing pads.
• Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly.

Additional Tips:

• For very stubborn stains or burnt-on food, you can try adding a bit of white vinegar to the baking soda and water mixture. Vinegar is an acid that reacts with baking soda to create a fizzing reaction, which can help loosen burnt-on food.
• If you're dealing with discolouration or rainbow oxidization stains, you can use a fresh lemon along with the baking soda to help remove these stains and restore the shine to your pan. Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan, creating a slight fizzing reaction with the baking soda.
• Always make sure to rinse and dry your pans thoroughly after cleaning to remove any residue and prevent water spots or calcium buildup.
• To prevent burnt-on food and stains, avoid cooking at excessively high temperatures and try to stay with your pan while it's on the stove. Also, consider using non-stick cooking spray or lining your pan with parchment paper before adding your ingredients.

Frequently asked questions