Clean Pots And Pans: Removing Stubborn Stains And Burns

Burnt, greasy pots and pans are a common problem for home cooks. Luckily, there are several easy and effective ways to clean the bottoms of your cookware. One popular method is to boil water in the pan for 5-7 minutes, loosening burnt-on food which can then be easily wiped away. For tougher stains, you can add baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice to the boiling water. For burnt pans with charred bottoms, you can try flipping the pan upside down, sprinkling salt and baking soda, and scrubbing with steel wool and dish soap. Finally, for cast iron pans, it is recommended to avoid abrasive sponges and instead use hot water, kosher salt, and a soft sponge to clean.

Use boiling water and a dishwasher tablet

Boiling water and a dishwasher tablet can be used together to clean the bottom of pots and pans. This method is especially useful for stainless steel pans with burnt-on marks and stains.

To use this method, start by adding water to the pan and bringing it to a boil for 5-7 minutes. The steam will help loosen any food residue on the sides of the pan. After boiling, pour out the hot water and use a sponge to wipe away any remaining food.

Next, take a dishwasher tablet and wet it slightly with warm water. Begin scrubbing the bottom of the pan with the tablet, focusing on the burnt areas. Be sure to wear gloves during this process. The dishwasher tablet will act as both a detergent and a scouring pad, breaking down the burnt-on food.

Scrub the pan in circular motions, applying more pressure to the heavily burnt areas. The water in the pan will gradually dissolve the tablet, so it is recommended to keep the plastic coating on the tablet intact to help it retain its shape. Continue scrubbing until all the food debris has lifted, then rinse the pan with warm water.

Finally, wash the pan with hot, soapy water as you normally would. This process will leave your pots and pans clean and shiny, removing even the most stubborn burnt-on marks.

Try vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar and baking soda are a great combination to clean the bottom of your pots and pans. This is especially true if you are dealing with burnt pots and pans. The alkaline pH of baking soda helps neutralise acidic burnt foods, and when combined with an acid like vinegar, the two create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food.

• Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Next, add enough 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 the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. You will see a fizzing reaction. It is recommended to do this over the sink as the reaction can be quite vigorous.
• Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling have stopped.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary.
• Rinse the pan clean and dry it thoroughly.

You can also try a variation of this method by first sprinkling a layer of baking soda at the bottom of the pan, followed by the vinegar. This will create a similar fizzing reaction, which will help loosen the burnt food. Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight, and then scrub and rinse the pan as usual.

In addition to vinegar and baking soda, you can also add a few pinches of salt to boost the cleaning power of this mixture.

Use ketchup on copper-bottom pans

Ketchup is an effective way to clean copper-bottom pans. The acetic acid in vinegar and the natural acidity in tomatoes, which are both found in ketchup, help to remove tarnish and debris from copper.

To clean copper-bottom pans with ketchup, squeeze ketchup onto a small area of the pan and let it sit for 10-30 minutes. Using a toothbrush, scrub in small circles, applying gentle pressure. Rinse off the ketchup with water and buff the pan with a dry cotton cloth.

For copper items with a lot of patina, or for a more intense scrub, you can add salt to the ketchup. A mixture of half ketchup and half table salt will create a scrub with a lot of grit to remove the tarnish.

Ketchup is a great, natural alternative to store-bought copper cleaning chemicals, which often contain harsh and toxic chemicals such as acetone, hydrochloric acid, and muriatic acid.

Apply a paste of baking soda and water

To clean the bottom of your pots and pans, you can apply a paste of baking soda and water. This method works on both stainless steel and cast iron pans.

First, create a paste with three parts baking soda to one part water. Apply this paste to the bottom of the pan and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, scrub the paste with a non-scratch sponge. You may need to put in some elbow grease, but the marks should come off. Finally, wipe the pan with a microfiber cloth to make it shine.

For extra cleaning power, add a dash of baking soda to boiling water to help clean scorched saucepans. You can also soak pots, baking dishes, or cookie sheets in hot to boiling water with baking soda and fresh lemon juice for an accelerated clean.

Try Bar Keeper's Friend

If you're looking for a way to clean the bottom of your pots and pans, Bar Keepers Friend could be your new best friend. This bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product is ideal for stainless steel items and can be used on many other things, including enamel-coated cast iron. It can remove even the toughest rust stains and mineral deposits from most surfaces and also protects your pans' surfaces, helping to prevent tarnishing and rusting in the future.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of your pan. Then, make a paste using Bar Keepers Friend and water. Apply the paste to the pan using a soft cloth or sponge, and let it sit for about a minute. Don't let the paste sit for longer! Next, rub the paste in a circular motion from the centre outward and then wash the pan in hot soapy water. Finally, rinse and repeat as needed.

For a very tarnished or greasy pan, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool. Once you've mostly cleared the surface of the pan, switch to a soft sponge or rag. Always wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin while using this product, as it is abrasive!

Bar Keepers Friend is a great way to clean the bottom of your pots and pans and bring them back to life! So, the next time your favourite stainless steel pan is looking a little worse for wear, give Bar Keepers Friend a go. It's a small price to pay to save your favourite pan!

Frequently asked questions