Clean Your Pots And Pans Outdoors Easily

Cleaning pots and pans can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to removing stubborn stains and burnt-on grease from the bottom. While the inside of cookware is relatively easy to clean, the outside often requires more effort due to the absence of non-stick coating. To effectively clean pots and pans, it is essential to first cut through the grease using strong dish soap, white vinegar, or a cream degreaser. For heavily soiled surfaces, creating a paste with baking soda and water, and then scrubbing it with a gentle pad or brush, can help lift stains without damaging the cookware. Additionally, specific cleaning methods vary depending on the type of cookware material, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or copper.

Degrease with vinegar or strong dish soap

To degrease your pots and pans, you can use either vinegar or strong dish soap. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Degreasing with Vinegar

Firstly, fill a tub with water, adding about one part vinegar to two parts water. Soak your pots and pans in this solution. For extremely greasy surfaces, you can also add a cream degreaser to the mix. Use a scrubbing pad to wash the grease off.

Degreasing with Strong Dish Soap

For this method, you will need a strong dishwashing soap, such as Dawn. Create a solution by adding a few drops of the dish soap to a bowl of warm water. Dip a sponge into the mixture and squeeze until suds form.

Alternatively, you can add a squirt of the dish soap directly to a sponge or dishcloth under warm running water.

Before you start scrubbing your pots and pans, test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area first. Once you're sure it's safe, use the soft side of the sponge to scrub the greasy surface until the soil is removed.

For stubborn grease, apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the sponge or cloth and gently scrub the area. Finally, wipe down the pots and pans with a damp paper towel to remove any remaining grease and excess soap.

General Tips

• Always use a soft cloth, sponge, or scrubbing pad to clean your pots and pans. Avoid using abrasive materials like scouring pads, as these can scratch or dull the surface.
• For heavy stains on the bottom of your pots and pans, create a paste using baking soda and water. Spread this paste over the stained area and use a gentle scrubbing pad or brush to buff it into the surface until the stains are lifted.
• Regularly wipe down your pots and pans with a solution of mild dish soap and warm water to prevent stubborn grease build-up.

Remove baked-on grime with baking soda

Removing baked-on grime with baking soda is an effective way to lift stains gently without damaging the outer surfaces of your pots and pans.

Step 1: Create a baking soda paste

Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste. The paste should be thick but spreadable. You can also add hydrogen peroxide to your baking soda instead of water for a more pronounced grease-lifting effect.

Step 2: Apply the paste

Spread the paste over the outside of your pot or pan, covering all the areas with baked-on grime.

Step 3: Let it sit

Leave the paste on for at least 10 minutes. For more stubborn stains, you can let it sit for a few hours or even overnight.

Step 4: Scrub and rinse

Use a gentle scrubbing pad or brush to buff the paste into the surface of your cookware until the stains are lifted. Finally, rinse the pot or pan with warm water to remove any residue.

If there are still some stubborn stains, you can repeat the process or try soaking the item in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda before scrubbing again.

This method is a great way to remove baked-on grime from your pots and pans without using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning pads that could damage the surface.

Clean aluminium pots with lemon water

Aluminium is a popular metal for kitchenware due to its affordability, lightweight, and durability. However, like other metals, it can become grimy and discoloured over time. Here is a detailed guide on how to clean aluminium pots with lemon water:

Step 1: Wash Dirt or Grease

Start by washing any existing grease or grime from your aluminium pot with warm water, dish soap, and a sponge. Use the rough side of the sponge to scrub away any burnt food bits. You can also use a wooden spoon to dislodge stubborn food particles.

Step 2: Make a Lemon Water Cleaning Solution

Fill your aluminium pot with water, leaving about one to two inches of space from the top. For each quart of water, add two tablespoons of lemon juice. Stir the mixture together. Lemon acts as an acid to reduce discolouration and brighten your aluminium pot.

Step 3: Bring the Lemon Water Mixture to a Boil

Place the pot on the stove and bring the lemon water mixture to a boil. Allow it to boil for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The duration depends on the size of your pot; smaller pots will need only 10 minutes, while larger ones may need the full 15 minutes.

Step 4: Pour Out the Mixture and Cool the Pot

After boiling, turn off the heat and carefully pour out the lemon water mixture. Allow the pot to cool down for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.

Step 5: Final Clean and Dry

For the final step, give your aluminium pot a thorough cleaning with dish soap, warm water, and the rough side of a sponge to remove any remaining discolouration or residue. Avoid using steel wool or abrasive scrubbers, as these may scratch the surface. Rinse the pot with clean water and dry it thoroughly with a soft dish towel or microfiber cloth.

Your aluminium pot should now be bright, shiny, and stain-free! This method is an effective way to remove discolouration and restore the shine to your aluminium cookware.

Clean stainless steel with baking soda

To clean stainless steel with baking soda, you'll first want to remove any loose grime or food from the area with soap and water. Then, spray the remaining grime with warm vinegar until damp and allow the vinegar to soak for three to five minutes (longer for larger spots). Next, sprinkle the grimy area liberally with baking soda. You can also mix the baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste, which can be spread over the stainless steel.

Let the paste sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, scrub the area with a gentle scrubbing pad or brush, or a sponge dampened with vinegar. Rinse the sponge and add more baking soda as needed. Keep the area moist as you scrub, using a circular motion and moderate pressure. Finally, rinse the area with warm water and dry it with a soft cloth to prevent watermarks and rust.

If you're cleaning a stainless steel pot or pan, place about two cups of water and vinegar, along with one to two tablespoons of baking soda, in the pan. Set a lid on the pan and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, continue to boil for three to five minutes before removing from the heat and allowing it to cool for at least 15 minutes. Then, simply dump the contents of the pan, rinse with warm or cool water, and wipe with a dry microfiber cloth.

Clean copper with vinegar, lemon juice and salt

To clean copper with vinegar, lemon juice, and salt, start by washing the copper item with warm, soapy water to remove dust and grime. Next, create a paste by mixing equal parts vinegar and salt. You can also add a bit of lemon juice or even substitute it for the vinegar.

Once your paste is ready, use a sponge to spread it over the copper. Work in small circles and gently scrub the surface. If you're dealing with stubborn stains, let the paste sit for five to ten minutes before scrubbing. Finally, rinse the copper item with warm water and dry it with a lint-free towel.

Remember, always be gentle when cleaning copper to avoid scratching the metal and removing the finish.

Frequently asked questions