Cleaning Scorched Pans: Baking Soda To The Rescue!

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in any kitchen, but the thought of scrubbing off those stubborn, blackened bits can be daunting. Luckily, there is a simple, inexpensive, and chemical-free solution: baking soda. When combined with other household staples like vinegar, lemon, or water, baking soda can effectively remove burned-on food and tough stains from all types of pans, including non-stick, stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron. So, the next time you're facing a scorched pan, don't despair – reach for the baking soda and let it work its magic!

Baking soda and vinegar

Cleaning a Scorched Pan with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar in the Pan

Pour a small layer of equal parts water and white vinegar into the pan. Heat the diluted vinegar on the stove and let it boil for a minute.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Remove the pan from the heat and pour out the vinegar. Then, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the empty pan. The point here is not to create a fizzy volcano but to let the two cleaning agents work independently to lift the staining.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Use a scouring pad to scrub the baking soda onto any remaining burn marks. Rinse the pan clean. If there are stubborn marks, make a paste of baking soda and a couple of drops of water, leave it on the marks for a while, and then clean as normal.

Tips:

• To avoid "dramatic fizz" that may require a lot of clean-up, pour out the vinegar before adding the baking soda.
• If you want to create a fizzing reaction, add the baking soda to the pan while the vinegar is still in it.
• Never mix vinegar with bleach as it produces harmful, potentially deadly fumes.

Boiled lemons

Step 1: Cut two or three lemons into quarters, eighths, or slices. You want to have enough lemon pieces to cover the bottom of the pan.

Step 2: Place the lemon pieces into the pan and add enough water to cover the burnt area.

Step 3: Bring the water to a boil and let it continue to boil for about 5-10 minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface. The acid in the lemons will help to break down the burnt food, and the boiling water will loosen it from the pan.

Step 4: Turn off the heat and remove the lemons and dirty water. You may need to use a spoon or spatula to nudge off any large pieces of burnt food that are still stuck to the pan.

Step 5: Rinse the pan with water and, if needed, use a scouring pad or brush to remove any remaining bits of food. If there are stubborn bits of food remaining, you can add a little dish soap to your scouring pad and give it a light scrub.

Step 6: Rinse the pan again to ensure all the lemon, soap, and food residue is removed.

Your pan should now be clean and free of any burnt food or smells! This method is not only effective but also simple and inexpensive, making use of basic kitchen staples.

Baking soda and water

To clean a scorched pan with baking soda and water, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water. Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste. You can also make a paste by mixing 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and applying it to the burnt pan. Ensure the paste is thick enough to fully coat the pan.

Let the mixture sit for several hours or overnight. If you don't want to wait, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then place the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool before wiping or scrubbing to remove the scorched bits.

If there are any stubborn marks that don't come off, make a paste of baking soda and a small amount of water. Leave the paste on the marks for a while, then scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. Rinse and dry the pan as normal.

Deglazing technique

Deglazing is a simple and effective technique for cleaning a burnt pan. It is also a great way to create a delicious sauce from the leftover food particles in the pan. Here is a step-by-step guide to the deglazing technique:

Step 1: Remove Food and Debris

First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. If you are deglazing a pan with just vegetables, you can leave the vegetables in the pan. However, if you are working with meat or poultry, it is important to remove it from the pan and pour off any excess fat or oil.

Step 2: Heat the Pan

Place the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles. This step is crucial as it helps to loosen the burnt-on food and prepares the pan for the next steps.

Step 3: Add Liquid

Pour in a liquid of your choice. You can use water, vinegar, wine, stock, or any other liquid that you prefer. The amount of liquid you use may vary depending on the size of your pan, but typically, you would use around a cup of liquid or a mixture of half water and half vinegar.

Step 4: Boil and Scrape

As the liquid simmers, use a spatula, wooden spoon, or deglazing spatula to scrape and loosen the bits of burnt food from the bottom of the pan. Continue scraping and stirring until you have released all the tasty browned bits. If you are deglazing with wine or alcohol, ensure that you cook until the alcohol has evaporated, leaving a syrupy consistency.

Step 5: Pour Out the Liquid

Once you have finished scraping and loosening the burnt food, pour the liquid into the sink. Do not dry or wipe the pan at this stage.

Step 6: Sprinkle Baking Soda

Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and let the pan cool. Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent due to its mild abrasive properties and alkaline pH, which helps neutralize acidic burnt foods.

Step 7: Scrub the Pan

Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pan vigorously to remove any remaining stains and scorch marks. If necessary, add more baking soda to create a paste and scrub until the pan is clean.

Step 8: Wash and Dry

Once your pan is free of stains and scorched bits, wash and dry it as you normally would. Enjoy your clean pan and put it back into commission in your kitchen!

Baking soda and lemon

Step 1: Remove Food Debris

First, use a spatula or scraper to remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Water and Baking Soda

Next, keep a thin layer of water in the pan and sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda. The water should just cover the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Cut and Squeeze Lemon

Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the pan. The lemon juice will react with the alkaline baking soda and may fizz slightly. This is a good sign! Use the flesh side of the lemon to scour the pan with the baking soda and water mixture.

Step 4: Scour and Shine

Continue scouring the pan with the lemon and the baking soda slurry until the burnt food comes off. If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use the same method to remove stains and restore shine.

Tips:

This method is particularly effective for cleaning and shining stainless steel or copper cookware. It can remove black, yellow, or rainbow oxidization stains and help restore a burnt pan.

For cast iron pans, refrain from using lemon juice or other acidic items as they can create rust and destroy the pan's seasoning.

Frequently asked questions