Cleaning Hacks: Removing Brown Stains From Pans

Brown marks on pans can be a real eyesore, but fear not – there are several ways to tackle this issue and restore your cookware to its former glory. One popular method is to create a paste from baking soda and water, applying it to the affected area for around 10 minutes before scrubbing with a non-scratch sponge. For more stubborn stains, a mixture of baking soda, water, and vinegar can be used, bringing the solution to a boil in the pan before removing from the heat and scouring. Alternatively, a small amount of fabric softener and hot water can be added to the pan and left to sit for 15 minutes, or a dishwasher tablet and water can be left overnight before wiping clean.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Create the Mixture

Create a slurry of white vinegar, water, and baking soda directly in your non-stick pan. Pour enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, along with 2 tablespoons of both white vinegar and baking soda.

Step 2: Boil the Mixture

Bring the mixture to a boil and stir it continuously for 5 minutes to encourage any burnt residue to loosen. You can use a silicone or wooden spoon for this.

Step 3: Cool the Mixture

Allow the mixture to cool completely after boiling. This is an important step, as you don't want to burn yourself when handling the pan in the next steps.

Step 4: Discard the Mixture and Rinse the Pan

Once the mixture is cool, carefully discard the vinegar solution and rinse the pan with warm water.

Step 5: Wash the Pan

Continue with regular washing by adding dish soap to both your dish sponge and the pan. Scrub the pan clean using the rough side of the sponge.

Step 6: Remove Stubborn Stains (if necessary)

If there are still stubborn stains or burnt food residue on the pan, you can try a more heavy-duty cleaning method. Add enough white 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.

Step 7: Add Baking Soda and Rinse

Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction. Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling have stopped. Then, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Finally, rinse and dry the pan.

Tips:

• It is important to note that this method should not be used on cast iron pans as it can create rust and destroy the pan's seasoning.
• For non-stick pans, avoid using anything too abrasive when scrubbing, such as chain mail, steel wool, or heavy-duty scrubbing brushes, as these can scratch and damage the delicate coating.
• If you want to avoid the strong smell of vinegar, you can substitute it with lemon juice, which also has acidic properties and will create a similar reaction with the baking soda.

Bar Keeper's Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used to remove brown marks from pans. It is ideal for stainless steel items but can be used on other materials, such as cast iron and copper.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, first wet the surface of the pan. Then, sprinkle the powder onto the pan and scrub with a sponge or cloth. It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend does not work up a lather, so you will need to scrub without turning on the faucet, using just the moisture on the surface of the pan to turn the powder into a paste. If needed, you can add a small splash of water to hydrate the powder.

For very dirty or greasy pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge or rag. Once you have finished scrubbing, be sure to rinse the pan well. Bar Keepers Friend is abrasive, so it is recommended to wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.

It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend should not be left on the surface of the pan for longer than one minute, as it can cause discolouration and scratches. Additionally, it should not be used on non-stick surfaces, as it can scratch off the coating.

Bar Keepers Friend is a powerful cleanser that can be used to effectively remove brown marks from pans. However, it should be used with caution and according to the instructions to avoid any damage to the pans or your skin.

Boiling water

Step 1: Scrub the Pan

Using a non-abrasive scrubber, scrub away as much of the burnt food and stains as possible. This will help to loosen the residue before boiling.

Step 2: Add Water and Soap

Fill the pan with water and add a bit of dish soap. The soap will help break down the grease and oil. Ensure that the burnt areas are completely submerged.

Step 3: Boil the Water

Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes. The heat from the boiling water will help to further loosen the residue.

Step 4: Cool and Scrape

Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down. The stuck-on food should now be loosened enough to be easily scraped off with a spatula or a non-abrasive scrubber.

Step 5: Repeat if Necessary

If any burnt residue remains, repeat the above steps. You can also try adding a small amount of vinegar or baking soda to the water before boiling for extra cleaning power.

Tips:

• Always clean your pans while they are still hot, as it makes removing residue easier. Just be sure to protect your hands with oven mitts or a towel.
• To prevent thermal shock, which can cause warping, avoid submerging a hot pan in cool water.
• Avoid using harsh scrubbers like steel wool, as they can scratch and damage the pan's surface.

Ketchup

Removing Brown Marks from Pans with Ketchup

Steps:

• Apply Ketchup: Squeeze out some ketchup and apply it to the burned area of the pan.
• Rub Gently: Using the sponge, gently rub the ketchup onto the burned area. Avoid using too much force as this may scratch the pan's surface.
• Rinse: Once you see the original shine of the pan reappearing beneath the darkened ketchup, rinse the pan.

Recommendations:

• It is wise to wash off any food residue from the pan before applying the ketchup.
• For heavily burned pans, it may be necessary to repeat the process a few times instead of trying to remove all the stains at once.

Other Methods:

If ketchup doesn't do the trick, there are several other methods you can try to remove burn marks from your pans. These include using baking soda, Bar Keeper's Friend, or even cola.

Hydrogen peroxide

To remove brown marks from pans with hydrogen peroxide, you will also need baking soda. First, sprinkle your pan with baking soda. Then, put undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and generously spritz the baking soda. Let the mixture sit for 2-3 hours. Finally, gently scrub with the soft side of a sponge, a rag, or a paper towel to remove the residue. Rinse the pan off with water.

This method is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. It is also gentle on your pans, so you won't need steel wool or a rough sponge to get the job done.

Frequently asked questions