Cleaning Brown Residue Off Your Pan: Easy Tips

Brown stains on pans are often caused by burnt oil and grease. While regular washing can help prevent these stains, they are not always avoidable. To remove these stains, you can try a variety of methods, including using baking soda and vinegar, a dryer sheet, a dishwasher tablet, boiled lemons, or aluminium foil. For stainless steel pans, Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish, Brillo Cameo cleaner, and Easy-Off oven cleaner are also popular options.

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean brown residue off your pan with baking soda and vinegar, you'll need to gather some supplies: vinegar, baking soda, a scouring pad, a wooden spatula, and a nylon brush or scouring sponge. You'll also need to remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible before you begin.

First, fill your pan with equal parts water and vinegar. Bring this mixture to a boil. Then, turn off the heat and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. You'll see a fizzing reaction. Once the reaction has stopped, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a scouring pad. If there are still burnt-on pieces, add more baking soda and water to make a paste, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

You can also try this slightly different method: add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar to your pan and bring to a boil. Then, turn off the heat, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and discard the liquid. Wash the pot with a scouring pad. If there are still stuck-on pieces, add more baking soda and water to make a paste, and let it sit for a few minutes before washing again with a scouring pad and dish soap.

Ketchup

To use ketchup to clean your pan, spread the condiment onto the affected area and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Then, scrub the area with a cloth or sponge. For more intricate items, such as silver with lots of detailing, use a toothbrush to scrub the ketchup into the grooves. Finally, rinse the item with water.

Boiling with lemons

First, quarter two or three lemons and place them in your pan. Then, fill the pan with a few inches of water and bring the water to a boil. Continue boiling for 5-10 minutes, or until you start to see food particles float to the surface.

Once you've done this, discard the water and lemons, and rinse the pan. You can then use a scouring pad to remove any leftover bits. This method will leave your pan sparkling clean and shiny!

This technique is especially useful if you've been cooking with lemons and have some leftovers to use up. It's also a lot easier than scrubbing, and it doesn't require any special cleaning products. So, if you're looking for a simple and natural way to clean your pans, give boiling with lemons a try!

Steel wool

If you do decide to use steel wool, it's important to scrub with the grain of the polish lines on your pan. This will help to prevent scratches. You should also avoid using steel wool on soft metals and delicate surfaces, such as porcelain enamel.

One way to use steel wool to clean your pan is to combine it with a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend. First, moisten your pan and sprinkle on the cleaner to form a paste. Then, scrub the paste into the scorched areas of your pan with the steel wool. Finally, rinse your pan with clean water and dry it.

Another option is to combine steel wool with baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your dry pan and use a dry cloth to rub it into any burn marks. You can also add a small amount of water to the baking soda to make a paste. Once you're finished, rinse away any excess baking soda and dry your pan.

While steel wool can be an effective cleaning tool, it's important to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks. There are alternative cleaning methods that are less likely to scratch your pan, such as using a non-abrasive scrubber or sponge.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean brown stains from a pan, follow these steps:

• Wet the surface of the pan that you want to clean.
• Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish onto the wet surface.
• Using a soft, wet cloth, rub the cleanser into the surface of the pan. For tougher stains, make a paste with water and let it sit for a minute before washing, rinsing, and drying the pan.
• Rinse the pan with clean water to remove any residue.

For very greasy or tarnished pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge or rag. Always wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin while using this product, as it is abrasive.

Frequently asked questions