Removing Broiled Food From Enamel Pans: Quick And Easy!

Burnt food on enamel pans can be a pain to clean, but there are several methods to tackle the issue. One method is to use a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Boil a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar in the pan to loosen the burnt food, then add baking soda and scrub the pan with a sponge or brush. For more stubborn stains, you can try using a dryer sheet by adding it to the pan with hot water and letting it soak for an hour or overnight. Another option is to use a dishwasher tablet with hot water and let the solution boil for a few minutes before scrubbing. For mild stains, you can simply scrub the pan with hot water, dish soap, and a sponge.

Soak in hot water

Soaking your burnt enamel pan in hot water and baking soda is an effective way to remove stubborn food residue without damaging the enamel coating. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you clean your enamel pan using this method:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and the Soaking Solution

• Start by filling your burnt enamel pan with 2-3 inches of hot water or enough water to cover the burnt areas.
• Add about 1/4 cup of baking soda to the water. You can also sprinkle the baking soda directly onto the burnt areas first and then pour in the hot water.

Step 2: Boil and Simmer the Solution

• Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium.
• Let the water come to a boil. Stir the solution gently with a wooden or plastic utensil to ensure the baking soda is fully dissolved.
• Once the solution is boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 3: Soaking and Cooling

• Allow the solution to simmer for about 15 minutes. The baking soda will help loosen the burnt-on food residue.
• Turn off the heat and let the pan cool down for about 30 minutes. This cooling period is crucial, as it gives the baking soda more time to work on the burnt residue.

Step 4: Washing and Scrubbing

• After the pan has cooled, use a gentle dish soap and a soft sponge or cloth to wash the pan as usual.
• For stubborn spots, you may need to use a plastic pan scraper or a nylon scrub brush to gently scrub the area without scratching the enamel.
• If necessary, repeat the entire process for heavily burnt-on food.

Tips for Better Results:

• For extra tough jobs, you can add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the baking soda and hot water solution before boiling. The combination of vinegar and baking soda creates a powerful fizzing reaction that can help break down stubborn residue.
• Always use wooden or plastic utensils when stirring or scraping the pan to avoid scratching the enamel coating.
• Avoid using metal scouring pads or abrasive cleaning tools, as they can damage the enamel surface.
• Remember to wash the pan gently and dry it thoroughly after the soaking process to restore its shine.

Use baking soda and vinegar

To clean broiled food off an enamel pan using baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. You will get a fizzing reaction. It might be best to do this in the sink.
• Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling dies down.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

If the burnt-on food is stubborn, you can also try the following method:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Make enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.
• Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the pan.
• Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water. Then, add enough baking soda to create a paste.
• Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.
• 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 it from the heat quickly—you don't want it to burn again! Let the pan cool, then wipe or scrub to remove the scorched bits.

Try a non-scratch scrubber

If you've burnt your enamel pan, don't panic! It can be saved with a few simple steps. First, assess the situation. If the residue just needs a little more scrubbing power, you can use a mildly abrasive, non-scratch scrubber like a Scrub Daddy or a dish brush, along with some baking soda and exerted pressure.

If you're dealing with a full-blown mess, you'll need to lift the residue with a fizzy substance like hydrogen peroxide or a combination of baking soda and vinegar. These chemical reactions will help to lift most of the mess, so you can save your energy for the tougher spots.

For stubborn stains, start by creating your fizzy solution of choice. For hydrogen peroxide, simply pour it into the pan. For baking soda and vinegar, add two tablespoons of baking soda and then pour in vinegar. The mixture will start to bubble and fizz.

Next, use your non-scratch scrubber to press down hard on the remaining burnt bits and use circular motions to scrub them away. If you like, you can make a paste by combining the baking soda with water or dish soap, which will give you more scrubbing power.

If there are any remaining burnt-on bits, repeat the process. With a little elbow grease and the right tools, your enamel pan will be looking like new in no time!

Use a dryer sheet

If you have broiled food stuck on your enamel pan, a dryer sheet can be used to clean it off. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, fill your pan with hot water. You can add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap to the water. Then, place a dryer sheet in the pan and ensure it is completely submerged. Leave the pan to soak for at least 15 minutes, but for tougher jobs, you can leave it overnight.

After soaking, remove and discard the dryer sheet and pour off the water. You should see that some of the burnt food has already dislodged from the pan. If there is still a lot of burnt food remaining, don't worry! Simply grab a kitchen sponge and some more dish soap and get scrubbing.

If you are dealing with an especially burnt pan, you can use an extra dryer sheet and repeat the process. You can also use hot water if you prefer. Once you have removed the burnt food, be sure to wash your pan with soap and water as you normally would.

This method is a great alternative to scrubbing your pans for hours on end. It is cheap, easy, and most likely, you already have dryer sheets in your laundry room!

Try a dishwasher detergent tablet

If you've tried the usual methods of cleaning your enamel pan, such as scrubbing with a mildly abrasive sponge and hot water, and the burnt-on food still won't budge, it might be time to try a dishwasher detergent tablet.

Dishwasher tablets are designed to power through and dissolve all types of baked-on, dried-on foods from dinnerware, glassware, flatware, and cookware. They are also safe for these items, helping them to dry better and not damage the inside of your dishwasher.

When using a dishwasher tablet to clean your enamel pan, fill the pan with enough water to cover the burnt-on food. Then, place one tablet in the pan and wait for it to stop fizzing and bubbling. Use a brush or non-abrasive sponge to gently scrub away the burnt-on food. Rinse the pan with hot water and dry it off before storing it in a dry place.

It is important to note that while dishwasher tablets can be effective in removing burnt-on food, they may not be suitable for all types of cookware. Always check the care instructions for your enamel pan before using a dishwasher tablet, as some manufacturers may not recommend this method. Additionally, avoid using metal sponges or scrubbers as they can damage the enamel coating.

Frequently asked questions