Erase Scorch Marks: Restore Your Pan's Bottom

Burnt pans are a common problem for cooks of all skill levels, but there are several ways to clean scorch marks from the bottom of your pans. Some methods use household products like baking soda, vinegar, and lemons, while others use commercial cleaning products like Bar Keepers Friend and dishwasher tablets.

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean scorch marks off the bottom of a pan using baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

The Deglazing Technique

• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Put the pan back on the stove and heat until a droplet of water sizzles.
• Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar to the hot pan and allow to boil. Use more liquid if you have a large pot or pan.
• As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening bits of burnt food.
• Pour the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.
• Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and let the pan cool.
• Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously.
• Wash and dry as normal once all stains and scorched bits have been removed.

The Baking Soda & Vinegar Method

• 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 1/2 inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove from heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. You will get a fizzing reaction, so it might be best to do this in the sink.
• Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling dies down.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary.
• Rinse clean and dry.

Alternative Methods Using Baking Soda

If you don't have vinegar, there are several alternative methods that use baking soda:

The Baking Soda & Water Method

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Make enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.
• Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat.
• Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, then add enough baking soda to create a paste.
• Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight, then add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.
• If you don't want to wait, add another 1/4 to 1/2 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—you don't want it to burn again! Let the pan cool and wipe or scrub to remove the scorched bits.

The Baking Soda & Lemon Method

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan, then sprinkle the bottom liberally with baking soda.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly, which is a good thing!
• Remove burnt food and stains on a non-stick or ceramic pan by covering the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, then sprinkling the pot with baking soda to create a paste. Let the mixture rest for several hours or overnight, then scrub with warm water and a non-stick surface-safe sponge or nylon brush.
• Alternatively, bring a solution of 1/2 cup of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda just to a boil. Remove from heat and let the pan rest until it is cool. Add more baking soda and scrub with a non-stick surface-safe sponge or nylon brush.

General Tips

• Baking soda is your go-to for cleaning a burnt pot or pan because it has mild abrasive properties, and its alkaline pH can help neutralize acidic burnt foods.
• It's always a good idea to have a stockpile of sponges on hand for everyday household cleaning. When cleaning kitchen appliances or cookware, opt for non-scratch sponges. They're durable enough to remove burnt food residue yet gentle enough not to scratch or tarnish your best gear.
• If you have a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, keep water, soap, and acidic items such as vinegar or lemon juice away from your pan as they can create rust and destroy the pan's seasoning.
• For non-stick pans, you can't use metal tools or scrubbing pads without risking harm to their non-stick surface.

Lemon and water

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly. This is normal!
• If your pan has a copper bottom that has gotten blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to help remove the stains and restore the shine.
• If there are any stubborn scorch marks that won't scrub free, mix some baking soda with a few drops of water to form a paste. Apply it to the problem spots and allow it to sit for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before cleaning the pan as usual.
• For extremely stubborn cases, you may need to repeat the entire process one or more times.

This method is not as effective as some of the other methods, such as using dishwasher tablets or baking soda and vinegar. It requires quite a bit of heavy-duty scrubbing in hot water to make a real impact on the debris. However, it is a good natural alternative to using harsh chemicals.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean scorch marks off the bottom of a pan, follow these steps:

• Wet the area to be cleaned.
• Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend powder cleanser onto the area.
• Add a small amount of water to make a paste.
• Use a soft, wet cloth to rub the paste into the scorch marks.
• For tougher stains, let the paste sit for about a minute before washing, rinsing, and drying the pan.
• Rinse the pan with clean water.

For regular maintenance of stainless steel pans, Bar Keepers Friend can also be used to clean the bottom of pots and pans. Here are the steps:

• Set the pot or pan bottom-up in the sink.
• Sprinkle the bottom with water.
• Shake Bar Keepers Friend all around the bottom.
• Scrub in a circular motion.
• Rinse and repeat as needed.

Dishwasher tablets

Step 1: Rinse the Pan

Rinse the dirty pan with hot water to remove any loose food particles or grease. This will help the dishwasher tablet work more effectively.

Step 2: Warm the Pan

Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to low. You want to warm the pan slightly, but not enough to burn yourself. This will help loosen the scorch marks and make them easier to remove.

Step 3: Scrub with the Dishwasher Tablet

Gently scrub the bottom of the pan with the dishwasher tablet under warm water. The warmth will help dissolve the tablet, releasing its cleaning agents. Scrub until all the food debris lifts off. You may need to use two tablets for heavily soiled pans.

Step 4: Rinse the Pan

Once you have removed all the scorch marks, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any residue from the dishwasher tablet. Ensure that you rinse thoroughly, especially if you are concerned about any potential dishwasher tablet residue.

Tips for Using Dishwasher Tablets:

• It is recommended to wear gloves when handling dishwasher tablets, as they can be harsh on the skin.
• While dishwasher tablets are effective, they may not be suitable for all types of pans. Always check the care instructions for your cookware before using any cleaning agents.
• For non-stick pans, it is generally recommended to avoid using abrasive cleaning products, as they can damage the coating.
• If you are unsure whether dishwasher tablets are safe for your pan, perform a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area first.
• To enhance the cleaning power of dishwasher tablets, you can combine them with other cleaning agents, such as baking soda or vinegar.
• For heavily soiled pans, you may need to repeat the process or use additional cleaning methods for best results.

Oven cleaner

• Spray the bottom of the pan generously with oven cleaner.
• Place the pan in an airtight garbage bag to prevent the cleaner from drying out.
• Leave the pan in a well-ventilated area or garage for a couple of days.
• After a few days, remove the pan from the bag and wipe off the grease.
• If there is any residual grease, use a mild abrasive cleaner like Bar Keeper's Friend or repeat the oven cleaner process.

It is important to note that oven cleaner may not be suitable for all types of pans, especially non-stick or cast iron pans. Always read the instructions on the oven cleaner and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific type of pan. Additionally, make sure to wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area when using oven cleaner, as the fumes can be strong.

Frequently asked questions