Removing Black Residue From Pots And Pans

Burnt pots and pans are a common problem, but there are several ways to tackle the issue. For stainless steel pans, a paste made from baking soda and water can be applied to the burnt area and scrubbed with a non-scratch sponge. For cast iron pans, a mixture of three parts baking soda and one part water can be applied and then scrubbed off. Other methods include using a dishwasher tablet, boiling lemons, or aluminium foil with baking soda.

Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda is an excellent option for cleaning burnt pots and pans. It has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralise acidic burnt foods. It can also combine with an acid such as vinegar to create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food.

Step 1: Remove Debris

Start by removing as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. You can use a spatula or scraper, such as a wooden spatula, to get rid of the burnt residue.

Step 2: Boil Water and Vinegar

Once the pan is relatively clean, put it back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles. Then, add one cup of water or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to the hot pan. Allow the liquid to boil and simmer for a few minutes. The vinegar will help break down the burnt food.

Step 3: Deglaze the Pan

As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the bits of burnt food. Continue this process until most of the burnt residue is removed.

Step 4: Add Baking Soda

Pour out the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan. Instead, sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda. The baking soda will react with any remaining vinegar, creating a fizzing reaction that helps loosen stubborn debris.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

Allow the pan to cool down. Then, using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously. The combination of vinegar and baking soda should make it easier to remove the burnt residue.

Step 6: Wash and Dry

Once all the stains and scorched bits have been removed, wash and dry the pan as you normally would. Your pan should now be clean and ready to use again!

This method may require some elbow grease, but it is an effective way to remove burnt food and stains from your pots and pans without causing damage to the surface.

Boiling lemons

Step 1: Prepare the lemons

Quarter two or three lemons. You can also use leftover lemon peels or squeezed lemons for this method.

Step 2: Fill the pot or pan

Place the lemon pieces in the pot or pan and fill it with water. The water level should be high enough to cover the burnt areas and the lemons.

Step 3: Bring the water to a boil

Place the pot or pan on the stove and heat it until the water comes to a rolling boil. Continue boiling for about 5-10 minutes or until you notice food particles floating to the surface. The acid in the lemon, combined with the boiling water, will help lift even the most stubborn gunk and burnt-on grime from your cookware.

Step 4: Remove the lemons and water

Once the water has boiled for a sufficient amount of time, carefully remove the pot or pan from the heat and let it cool down. Then, discard the lemons and dirty water. You may notice a thin layer of residue remaining in the pot.

Step 5: Scrub and rinse

Use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub away any remaining residue. Rinse the pot or pan with warm water to remove any lingering lemon or residue. If necessary, repeat the process for heavily soiled cookware.

In addition to removing burnt-on food and stains, boiling lemons will also eliminate any unpleasant burnt smells from your pots and pans, replacing them with a fresh, sweet citrus scent.

Dishwasher tablets

To use dishwasher tablets, simply grab one from the container and rinse your dirty pan with hot water. Then, gently scrub the pan under warm water with the dishwasher tablet. Scrub until all the food debris lifts, and then rinse with warm water.

This method is very effective and can be done in less than five minutes. However, it may take two tablets to clean one pan, so it could get a bit pricey.

If you want to try something else, you can also use a combination of baking soda and vinegar, lemons, or aluminium foil.

Aluminium foil and baking soda

Step 1: Rinse the pan

Rinse your dirty pan in hot water and drain it.

Step 2: Apply baking soda

Sprinkle the pan generously with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. You can also add a few teaspoons of hot water back to your pan to form a paste with the baking soda.

Step 3: Scrub with aluminium foil

Crumple up some aluminium foil and begin scrubbing the pan until all the burnt debris lifts. You can also use a golf ball-sized piece of crumpled foil.

Step 4: Rinse the pan

Rinse the pan with warm soapy water to finish cleaning.

Tips:

• You can use the same ball of foil to clean a few pans.
• If a touch-up is necessary, apply some additional baking soda after the initial scrub.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend, first wet the surface of whatever you're cleaning, then scrub. Unlike dish soap, Bar Keepers Friend doesn't work up a lather, so you'll want to scrub with the faucet off, using just the moisture on the surface of the pan to turn the powder into a paste. If you need to, add a splash more water to hydrate the powder.

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 your usual soft sponge or rag. Rinse well once you finish cleaning. If you've got particularly sensitive skin or are scrubbing a lot of pots, wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin. This stuff is abrasive!

Frequently asked questions