Scalded Pan? Here's How To Clean It Up

Burnt pans are a common problem for cooks of all skill levels, but there are several methods for cleaning them. Some of the most popular methods include using baking soda and vinegar, boiling water, dish soap and a dryer sheet, dishwasher tablets, lemons, or aluminum foil. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks, but all are effective at removing burnt-on food and restoring pans to like-new condition.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Remove Debris

First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil Water and Vinegar

Next, add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Bring the water to a boil, then place the pan in the sink. Pour in 1 cup of white vinegar. You can also use apple cider vinegar.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pan. Keep the pan in the sink to avoid messy overflows. The baking soda and vinegar will react, creating a fizzing and bubbling effect that helps loosen burnt food.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Let the mixture sit for a few minutes while the pan cools down. This allows the fizzing action to work on lifting caked-on food residue.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

Using the scouring side of a sponge, scrub the inside of the pan vigorously, focusing on stained or scorched areas. You will be surprised at how much grime you can remove!

Step 6: Rinse and Wash

Empty the pan and rinse with hot water. Then, wash the pan with dish soap and a clean sponge. Finally, dry the pan with a clean dish towel.

Additional Tips:

For stubborn stains, you can create a baking soda and vinegar paste. Mix equal parts baking soda and hot water directly in the pan. Scrub the pan with this paste, and the baking soda will act as a light abrasive to scrape off burnt food residue. Rinse and wash the pan as usual.

Remember to avoid using baking soda and vinegar on cast iron pans, as it can create rust and damage the pan's seasoning.

Boiled lemons

First, quarter two or three lemons and place them in the pan. Then, fill the pan with a few inches of water and bring the water to a boil. Allow the lemons to boil for around five to ten minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface.

Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. This may take a while. Once the pan has cooled, pour out the water and discard the lemons. Finally, scrub away any remaining burnt debris with a brush or scouring pad.

The acid in the lemons will help to remove tough, burnt gunk from the pan, and the citrus scent will leave your pan smelling fresh. This method is also effective for removing stains and discolouration from pans.

Dishwasher tablets

Firstly, cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it up on low heat. Then, remove the pan from the heat source. The next step is to carefully rub the dishwasher tablet over the burnt areas of the pan. It is important to wear gloves during this step. The tablet will act as a scouring pad, breaking down the burnt-on food. The water may turn dark brown as the food particles come off the pan.

After scrubbing with the tablet, let the pan sit for a few minutes. Then, wash the pan with hot, soapy water as normal. This will remove any remaining residue from the pan and the tablet.

Using this method, it is possible to restore a burnt pan to a sparkling, spotless condition. It is a quick and easy process that can be repeated if needed.

Deglazing technique

The deglazing technique is a simple way to clean a burnt pan. It involves adding a liquid to the pan and using the heat to break down the burnt-on food. This method can also be used to create a sauce or gravy from the food particles in the pan. Here is a step-by-step guide to the deglazing technique:

First, remove any large pieces of food or debris from the pan. If you have cooked meat, poultry, or fish, it is best to take it out of the pan. You can leave vegetables in the pan. Next, pour off any excess fat or oil.

Now it's time to add the liquid. You can use water, wine, broth, stock, citrus juices, vinegar, or any other liquid you like. Pour in enough liquid to cover the bottom of the pan by about a quarter of an inch.

Turn the heat on to medium or medium-high. With the pan on the heat, use a wooden or silicone spoon or spatula to scrape the bottom vigorously as the liquid comes to a boil. Continue scraping and stirring until you have released all the browned bits from the pan. If you are using wine or another alcoholic liquid, keep cooking until the alcohol has cooked off—you will know this has happened when the liquid becomes syrupy and loses its alcoholic smell.

Finally, pour out the liquid, and your pan will be much easier to clean. You can now wash the pan as you normally would, but with much less scrubbing required!

It is important to note that you should not use a non-stick pan for deglazing. This technique works best with stainless steel, aluminum, or cast-iron cookware.

Soaking with dryer sheets

So, you've just cooked a delicious meal, but now you're faced with a burnt, scalded pan. Fear not! There's a simple solution that will save you from hours of scrubbing: soaking with dryer sheets. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting your pan sparkling clean again:

Firstly, add a few drops of dish soap to your scalded pan. You can also add a couple of inches of hot water—not quite scalding, but pretty hot. Then, place a single dryer sheet in the pan and push it down so it's completely submerged. If you have a particularly tough mess to deal with, you might want to add an extra sheet.

Now, the waiting game begins. For milder scorching, let the pan soak for around 15-20 minutes. However, for more stubborn, baked-in messes, you might need to leave it overnight. The magic happens as the dryer sheet's conditioning properties are released into the water, softening the hard scorch marks and making them easier to remove.

Once your time is up, remove the dryer sheet and discard it. Pour out the water, and you'll see that some of the burnt bits have already dislodged. Now, grab a sponge or scouring pad and get to work on the remaining residue. With just a little bit of elbow grease, those burnt marks will be history!

Finally, give your pan a thorough clean with soap and water as you usually would. And there you have it—a sparkling clean pan, good as new! No more dreading the post-dinner cleanup; this simple hack will make burnt pans a breeze to deal with.

Frequently asked questions