The Best Way To Clean The Bottom Of Your Pans

Burnt pots and pans are a common problem for home cooks and professional chefs alike. Luckily, there are several methods for cleaning the bottom of a burnt pan. One popular method involves using a paste made from baking soda and water, which is applied to the burnt area and left to sit for several hours or overnight before being scrubbed off. Another approach is to boil water or a mixture of water and vinegar in the pan, using the resulting liquid to deglaze the burnt food, and then applying baking soda to scrub the pan clean. For particularly tough stains, some people recommend using Bar Keepers Friend, a specialised cleaning product, or a combination of vinegar, salt, and baking soda.

Use baking soda and water

To clean the bottom of a pan with baking soda and water, start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste with three parts baking soda to one part water. You can also cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then add enough baking soda to create a paste.

Let the paste sit for 10 to 20 minutes, or a few hours, and then scrub it with a non-scratch sponge or brush. If you don't want to wait, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then put the pan on the stove and let it come to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat quickly so it doesn't burn again, and let it cool before wiping or scrubbing to remove the scorched bits. Finish with a final clean and wipe using a microfiber cloth.

For burnt-on food, you can also try boiling a solution of 1/2 cup of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda in the pan. Let the pan cool, and then scrub with a non-stick surface-safe sponge or nylon brush.

Try vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar and baking soda are a great way to clean the bottom of a pan. This method works on stainless steel, non-stick, cast iron, and ceramic pans.

First, cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of water. Then, sprinkle baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste. Let the pan sit for several hours, then rinse and wash the pan.

For stubborn stains, try boiling a solution of 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/2 cup of water in the pan. Let the pan cool, then rinse the stain with straight baking soda and scrub with a non-stick-safe nylon brush or a non-scratch sponge.

If you're dealing with really tough stains, you can also try submerging the pan in a boiling baking soda solution. Fill a large pot with water and add the pan. Bring the water to a boil, then add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda and reduce the heat to a gentle boil for 15 to 30 minutes. The brown residue should start to flake off. Remove the pan from the boiling solution while it's still hot, and scrub away any lingering stains.

For an extra boost of cleaning power, you can add vinegar to the paste or soaking solution. Just be sure to avoid using vinegar when cleaning cast iron pans, as it can create rust and destroy the pan's seasoning.

With these steps, you can effectively clean the bottom of your pan using vinegar and baking soda.

Apply Bar Keeper's Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a powerful cleanser that can be used to clean the bottom of your pans. It is a mass-produced American brand of cleaning agents that has been manufactured and sold since 1882. The product was originally sold as a cleaning agent in powdered form and continues to be available in this formulation.

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

• Mix the powder with water to create a paste. The ideal ratio is 1 part water to 3 parts Bar Keepers Friend.
• Apply the paste to the bottom of the pan.
• Let the paste sit for about 10 minutes.
• Using a non-scratch sponge or cloth, scrub the paste in circular motions.
• Rinse the pan thoroughly with water to remove any residue.

It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend should not be left on the surface for too long as it may cause discolouration and scratches. Always wear gloves when handling this product, and avoid mixing it with other cleaning agents, especially bleach or ammonia, as it may create toxic fumes. Additionally, Bar Keepers Friend should not be used on non-stick cookware, cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces.

Ketchup can help

Ketchup is a great way to clean the burnt-on black and brown layer on your brass and stainless steel pots and pans. It can also be used to clean metal surfaces of appliances or even just utensils. Ketchup is probably best known for its ability to get copper and sterling silver back to their original shine, thanks to its acidity.

How to Use Ketchup to Clean Your Pans

Apply a layer of ketchup to the surface of the pan you're trying to clean and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Then scrub with a little bit of elbow grease and the item will look like new!

Other Uses of Ketchup for Cleaning

• Copper-bottomed pots: Slather the ketchup onto your copper-bottomed pots and leave it on for as long as you can. Then wipe and rinse.
• Stainless steel: Slather ketchup on, let it sit, wipe, and rinse.
• Cast iron skillets: Cover the rust spots with ketchup, let sit, then wipe clean.
• Brass doorknobs and candlesticks: Slather ketchup on, let it sit for at least 40 minutes, then wipe and rinse.
• Silver: Slather, soak, wipe, then rinse. If your silver has a lot of detailing, use a toothbrush to scrub the ketchup into the grooves. Rinse immediately after scrubbing.
• Burnt dishes: Douse the surface with ketchup, let it sit overnight, then rinse.
• Pruning shears: Squirt on some ketchup and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wipe or rinse with a hose.
• Car: After washing your car, use ketchup on a soft cloth instead of wax to give your finish a beautiful luster.

Other Methods to Clean the Bottom of Your Pans

• Bar Keeper's Friend: Let a paste of three parts BKF and one part water sit for about 10 minutes, then scrub in circular motions with a non-abrasive sponge.
• Baking soda: Apply a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water, let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes, then scrub away with a non-scratch sponge.
• Hydrogen peroxide: Submerge the pan in a large stockpot or deep skillet and fill with as much hydrogen peroxide as needed to reach the stains. Place it on the stove over high heat to boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes, and the stains should come off with minimal effort.
• Dryer sheet: Fill your sink with enough warm water to cover the pan, add a dryer sheet, and let it soak.
• Soak in hot water: Heat up water in a kettle and pour the water into the pot or pan until it covers the problem area. You may need to use two kettles of water if you've burnt quite high up the sides of the pot or pan.

Soak in cola

Soaking your burnt pans in cola is an effective way to clean them without scrubbing. Cola contains carbonic acid, which makes it excellent at cleaning away stubborn dirt and grime.

Step 1: Pour cola into the burnt pan

Fill your burnt pan with enough cola to cover the bottom of the pan. You can use a few inches of cola or a few cups, depending on the size of your pan.

Step 2: Let it soak

Let the pan sit for a few hours or even overnight. The longer you let it soak, the easier it will be to remove the burnt-on food and residue.

Step 3: Remove the burnt food

After soaking, use a scraper or spatula to remove the burnt food, fat, or residue from the pan. It should come off easily without much scrubbing.

Step 4: Rinse and wash

Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining cola and residue. Then, wash the pan with dish soap as you usually would.

That's it! Your pan should now be clean and ready to use again. This method is a simple and inexpensive way to clean burnt pans without using harsh chemicals or a lot of elbow grease.

Frequently asked questions