Ella Walter
Burnt pans are a common occurrence in any kitchen, but they're often easier to fix than you might think. There are several methods you can try, depending on the severity of the scorching. For mild scorching, you can try soaking the pan in hot, soapy water overnight, then scrubbing it clean. For more serious scorching, you may need to use a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda, or even just coarse salt and water. If you have a cast-iron pan, you can try using oil instead of water, or you may need to strip and re-season the pan if the scorching is severe.
How to fix a scorched pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking | Soak the pan in hot water and soap for at least 30 minutes or overnight |
| Vinegar | Pour a small layer of equal parts water and vinegar into the pan and bring to a boil |
| Dishwasher soap | Add dishwasher soap to the pan and heat it up |
| Lemon | Cut and massage a lemon into the burnt pan with coarse salt |
| Ketchup | Coat the affected area with a thin layer of ketchup and wipe clean after 15 minutes |
| Salt | Use coarse Kosher salt with hot water to scrub the pan |
| Baking soda | Make a paste with water and baking soda and let it sit on the pan for 1 to 12 hours |
| Cream of tartar | Mix a tablespoon of cream of tartar in a cup of water and bring it to a boil in the pan |
| Sugar cubes | Use the gentle abrasion of sugar cubes to scrub the pan |
| Dryer sheets | Soak the pan with soap and water, and add a dryer sheet into the mix |
| Dishwasher tablets | Scrape a dishwasher tablet over the scorched area |
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What You'll Learn
Soak in hot, soapy water
Soaking is a great first step to clean a scorched pan. It is an easy, effective, and inexpensive way to get your pan looking new again. Start by filling the pan with hot water. If the pan has just been used, fill it with water before the food and grease cool and harden. If not, let the pan cool down slightly before adding the water.
Next, add a squirt of dish soap. You can also add a dryer sheet to the mix. Let the pan soak for at least 30 minutes or, for best results, leave it overnight. The longer you leave it, the more effective the soak will be.
After soaking, use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape off as much of the burnt-on food as you can. If there is still food stuck to the pan, try an abrasive cleaner like Bon Ami, Barkeeper's Friend, or baking soda. Make a paste with water and scrub the pan with a scouring pad, sponge, or nylon brush. If the pan is still not clean, try repeating the process.
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Use a dishwasher tablet
A dishwasher tablet is an effective way to clean a scorched pan. Firstly, it is important to note that non-stick pans, as well as those made from cast iron or aluminum, are not dishwasher-safe. If your pan is made from one of these materials, you should clean it by hand with a dishwasher tablet.
To do this, fill the pan with a small amount of water and heat it on the stove on low until the water is hot but not boiling. Then, remove the pan from the heat and use half a dishwasher tablet to scrub away any blackened bits. You can use the tablet like a sponge or scouring pad, and the burnt-on food should come up easily. Once the burnt food has been removed, wash the pan with soapy water and rinse.
If you are not in a hurry, there is another method you can try. Place the scorched pan on the stove and add half a dishwasher tablet and some water, then bring it to a boil. Once the solution begins to simmer, turn off the heat and let the pan sit overnight. In the morning, the burnt-on food should have lifted away, leaving your pan as good as new. Repeat the process if necessary, then wash the pan thoroughly as normal.
When using a dishwasher tablet, there is no need to remove the plastic coating surrounding the tablet before you start. The biodegradable film will dissolve on its own as it is exposed to water. The coating also prevents the tablet from crumbling as you rotate it while cleaning.
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Boil water and vinegar
To fix a scorched pan with vinegar and water, you'll need equal parts water and vinegar, a tablespoon of baking soda, a scouring pad, and a sponge.
First, fill your pan with equal parts water and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then, remove the pan from the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda. The baking soda will react with the vinegar and start to fizz. Leave the mixture to sit for up to 15 minutes.
Next, pour the liquid down the drain and use a scouring pad or sponge to scrub away any remaining burnt-on bits. If there are still spots on the pan, make a paste with baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the affected areas and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing the pan again.
This method can be adapted to use cream of tartar instead of baking soda. Cream of tartar is a gentle alternative to baking soda that is suitable for cleaning aluminium and stainless steel cookware.
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Use salt and water
Salt and water are both common household items that can be used to clean a scorched pan. This method is particularly effective on cast iron pans.
First, cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and heat it on low heat. You can also use hot water to deglaze the burnt food off the base of the pan. Once the water is hot, pour in a good splash of water and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape away the burnt bits. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool.
Once the pan is cool, sprinkle a generous layer of salt into the bottom of the pan. Kosher salt is recommended because of its coarse grit, but regular table salt can also be used. Use a damp sponge or wet paper towel to scrub the salt into the affected areas of the pan. The salt will help scrub away stuck-on grime. Repeat this process until the burn has vanished.
Finally, rinse the pan with water and repeat the process as needed.
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Re-season cast iron
If you've scorched your cast-iron pan and ruined the seasoning, you're probably better off re-seasoning it. Here's a step-by-step guide to re-seasoning your cast iron:
Step 1: Strip the Old Seasoning
Before re-seasoning your cast iron, you'll need to strip off the old, damaged seasoning. To do this, you can use a variety of methods. One option is to fill the pan with water and bring it to a boil, then let it cool and scrub the pan clean. You can also add dish soap or vinegar to the water for extra cleaning power. Another method is to use coarse salt, such as kosher salt, and scrub it into the pan with a wet paper towel or your hands, then rinse and re-oil the pan.
Step 2: Dry the Pan Thoroughly
After stripping the old seasoning, ensure that you dry your cast iron thoroughly. Any remaining moisture can cause rust, which will further damage your pan.
Step 3: Re-season the Pan
To re-season your cast iron, you'll need to add a thin layer of oil to the surface. You can use any type of cooking oil, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil is particularly good for achieving a smooth, hard finish. Heat the pan in the oven at a low temperature, around 200-250°F (90-120°C), and let it bake for about an hour. This will open the pan's pores and allow the oil to penetrate. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool slightly, then wipe off any excess oil with a clean cloth or paper towel. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another hour. Repeat this process 3-4 times to build up a strong seasoning layer.
Step 4: Maintenance
To maintain your newly re-seasoned cast iron, be sure to clean it promptly after each use. Use hot water and a mild soap or a small amount of coarse salt to scrub the pan. Dry it thoroughly and apply a thin layer of oil to prevent rust and maintain the seasoning.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several methods for cleaning a scorched pan. One method is to fill the pan with water and bring it to a boil. Turn off the heat, let the pan cool, and then scrub it down. If there is still food stuck to the pan, try using an abrasive like baking soda, dishwasher soap, or a store-bought cleanser like Barkeeper's Friend.
If you've scorched a cast-iron pan, you can use oil instead of water. Submerge the scorched parts in a shallow layer of food-grade oil, heat the oil until you see small bubbles, and then cover the pan. Let the pan sit over a gentle heat source for as long as possible, and then gently scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon. Wipe out the excess oil with a paper towel, and then use a gentle abrasive to clean the rest.
Other methods for cleaning a scorched pan include using a dishwasher tablet, a mixture of vinegar and water, or a combination of hot water, lemon, and salt.
If your pan is non-stick, be cautious about using anything abrasive. Check the manufacturer's instructions and use your common sense.
