Cleaning A Burnt Pan: Tips For The Bottom

Burnt pans are a common problem, but there are many ways to clean them. Here are some methods to clean the outside bottom of a burnt pan:

- Using baking soda and vinegar: fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar, bring the mixture to a boil, add baking soda, and let it soak.

- Boiling lemons: slice lemons and place them in the pan with water, boil for 5-10 minutes, discard the lemons, and scrub.

- Bar Keepers Friend: make a paste with a few tablespoons of Bar Keepers and water, spread it on the burnt areas, let it sit, then scrub.

- Aluminium foil and baking soda: sprinkle baking soda on the pan, add water to make a paste, scrub with a piece of crumpled aluminium foil, and rinse.

- Dishwasher tablet: cover the bottom of the pan with water, scrape a dishwasher tablet over the burnt areas, and rinse.

- Steel wool, salt, baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar: rub steel wool on the burnt bottom, sprinkle salt and baking soda, squirt dish soap, rub with steel wool, cover with paper towels, drench with vinegar, and let it sit.

Use baking soda and vinegar

If you're looking to clean the outside bottom of a burnt pan, a combination of baking soda and vinegar can do the trick. Here's a detailed guide on how to use this method effectively:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. It's important to get rid of as much of the burnt residue as you can before proceeding to the next steps. Use a spatula or scraper to loosen and remove the burnt bits.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar and Water

Add enough white vinegar to the pan to cover the bottom with at least half an inch of liquid. Then, pour in an equal amount of water. Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes. The heat and the vinegar will help loosen the burnt-on food, making it easier to remove.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Remove the pan from the heat and slowly add about 1 cup of baking soda to the hot vinegar and water mixture. Baking soda is alkaline, which helps neutralize acidic burnt foods. It also has mild abrasive properties, making it an effective cleaning agent. As you add the baking soda, you'll notice a fizzing reaction. This reaction occurs when baking soda combines with an acid like vinegar.

Step 4: Let it Fizz

Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop. The chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda will help break down the burnt food, making it easier to remove. This step is crucial, as it allows the mixture to do some of the work for you.

Step 5: Discard the Liquid

Once the fizzing has stopped, carefully pour out the liquid down the drain. Be cautious, as the liquid will still be hot. You may want to use oven mitts or tongs to handle the pan.

Step 6: Scrub the Pan

After discarding the liquid, it's time to scrub the pan. Use a nylon scrub brush or a non-scratch scouring pad to remove any remaining burnt-on food. Add more baking soda to the pan if needed to create a scrubbing paste. Scrub until all the burnt residue is gone.

Step 7: Rinse and Dry

Once the pan is free of burnt food and stains, rinse it thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining vinegar, baking soda, and food particles. Dry the pan with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Tips:

• This method works best for stainless steel or aluminum pans.
• Always use caution when handling hot liquids and pans to avoid burns.
• For extremely burnt pans, you may need to repeat the process or try a different method.

Try boiling lemons

Boiling lemons is an effective way to clean the outside bottom of a burnt pan. Lemons are excellent for cleaning because they have antibacterial and acidic properties. They also leave behind a refreshing citrus scent without any harsh chemicals.

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

Step 2: Place the lemon pieces into the pan. If your pan has a copper bottom, place the lemon pieces on the inside of the pan.

Step 3: Fill the pan with water, ensuring that the water level is high enough to cover the burnt area of the pan. It is unnecessary to cover the lemons as they will float.

Step 4: Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the water to a boil. Continue boiling for about five to ten minutes. You will notice that the acid in the lemon and the boiling water will help remove the burnt food particles and tough gunk from the pan.

Step 5: Turn off the heat and let the water cool down.

Step 6: Once the water has cooled, pour it out, discarding the lemons.

Step 7: Use a scouring pad or brush to scrub away any remaining burnt-on bits. You can also use dish soap to help with this step.

Step 8: Rinse the pan with hot, clean water.

With these steps, your burnt pan should be looking much cleaner and fresher-smelling!

Apply Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a highly effective cleaning agent that can be used to clean the outside bottom of a burnt pan. The product was originally manufactured in 1882 as a cleaning agent in powdered form and has since expanded into a line of cleaning products, including liquid, cream, and spray cleaners. The primary active ingredient in Bar Keepers Friend is oxalic acid, a natural substance that attacks rust, lime, tarnish, and other stains on a molecular level.

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean the outside bottom of a burnt pan, follow these steps:

• Wear gloves to protect your hands from the oxalic acid in the product. It is important to avoid prolonged skin contact with the product, as it may cause irritation or contact dermatitis.
• Create a paste by mixing Bar Keepers Friend powder with a small amount of water. The recommended ratio is 1 part water to 3 parts Bar Keepers Friend. You can adjust the ratio as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
• Apply the paste generously to the outside bottom of the burnt pan, ensuring complete coverage of the affected area.
• Allow the paste to sit on the pan for about 10 minutes. During this time, the acids in the product will work to break down the burnt residue and stains.
• After the recommended time has passed, use a non-scratch sponge or scrubber to gently scrub the affected area. Avoid using metal scouring pads or steel wool, as they may scratch the surface of the pan.
• Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove the paste and any remaining residue. Ensure that you rinse the pan completely, as the abrasive particles in Bar Keepers Friend may leave a white film if not rinsed properly.
• If necessary, repeat the process for any stubborn spots or heavily burnt areas.

It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend is not suitable for use on all surfaces. Do not use it on non-stick cookware, as it can scratch off the coating. Additionally, avoid using Bar Keepers Friend on porous surfaces such as cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces. Always test the product on a small, inconspicuous area first if you are unsure about its suitability for a particular surface.

Scrub with foil and baking soda

If you're looking to clean the outside bottom of a burnt pan, you can try the following method using foil and baking soda.

First, rinse your dirty pot in hot water and then drain it. Next, generously sprinkle 2 tablespoons of baking soda onto the pan's surface. Add a few teaspoons of hot water to create a paste-like consistency with the baking soda. Begin scrubbing the pan with a golf ball-sized piece of crumpled foil. Continue scrubbing until all the burnt residue is removed. Finally, rinse the pan with warm, soapy water to finish cleaning.

This method is an effective way to clean a burnt pan without using harsh chemicals. The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive, helping to loosen and remove burnt-on food. Additionally, its alkaline pH can neutralise acidic burnt foods. The foil provides enhanced scrubbing power, ensuring that even the most stubborn stains are removed.

Soak with dishwasher tablets

So, you've burnt the bottom of your pan and now you're wondering how to clean it? Well, you're in luck! There are a few different methods you can try, one of which is to soak it with dishwasher tablets. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First of all, make sure you're using powdered dishwasher tablets and not the liquid ones. Fill the burnt pan with enough water to cover the bottom and warm it up on low heat. You don't want the water to be boiling, just nice and warm. Once the water is warm, remove the pan from the heat.

Now, it's time to grab your dishwasher tablet. With a gloved hand, carefully rub the tablet over the burnt areas of the pan. You may need to use a bit of elbow grease to really work the tablet into the burnt-on grime. Keep scrubbing until you see the burnt bits starting to lift and come off.

If there are any stubborn spots that won't come off, try making a paste with the dishwasher tablet. Crush the tablet and mix it with a little water until it forms a thick paste. Spread the paste over the burnt areas and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, take a damp cloth or sponge and start scrubbing. The burnt-on food should start to lift off easily.

Finally, once you've removed all the burnt bits, give the pan a good rinse with warm soapy water. Wash it as you normally would and dry it with a clean cloth. And that's it! Your burnt pan should now be looking as good as new.

This method is not only effective but also quick and easy. It's a great way to get rid of those pesky burnt-on bits without having to scrub for hours. So, if you're looking for a hassle-free way to clean your burnt pan, give this method a try!

Frequently asked questions