Erase Burn Marks From Aluminum Pans: Effective Cleaning Tips

Burnt pans are a common problem for home cooks, but there are several methods for cleaning them. This article will cover how to clean burnt marks from an aluminium pan.

Baking soda and vinegar

What you'll need:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Scouring pad
• Scraper, such as a wooden spatula
• Nylon brush or scour sponge

Step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar. For a full pot bottom, use 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar.

Step 3: Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 4: Turn off the heat and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Be cautious, as mixing baking soda and vinegar can cause a somewhat explosive reaction. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water.

Step 5: Discard the liquid and wash the pan with a scouring pad. If there are still stuck-on pieces, proceed to the next step.

Step 6: Make a paste by mixing baking soda with a little water. Apply this paste to the remaining burnt areas of the pan.

Step 7: Let the paste sit for a few minutes, then wash the pan again with a scouring pad and dish soap.

Tips:

• Baking soda has mild abrasive properties and an alkaline pH, which helps neutralize acidic burnt foods.
• Vinegar is highly acidic, so it reacts with baking soda to release carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is effective at dislodging small particles, such as burnt carbon, that mark up pans.
• For an even more intensive clean, try the "deglazing technique." First, heat the pan until a droplet of water sizzles. Then, add water or a mixture of water and vinegar to the pan and use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom, loosening bits of burnt food. Pour out the liquid, sprinkle the pan with baking soda, and let it cool before scrubbing.

Lemons

To clean your pan with lemons, first, slice up two to three lemons and place them in the pan. Then, fill the pan with water, making sure the lemons are just about covered. Bring the lemon water to a boil for five to ten minutes. You'll know the pan is ready for a final scrub when you see food particles floating to the surface.

Once boiled, discard the lemons and drain the water. Rinse the pan with hot, clean water. Use a scouring pad or brush to loosen and remove any remaining bits.

This method may require quite a bit of heavy-duty scrubbing, but it is a good natural alternative to using chemicals.

Bar Keepers Friend

How to Use:

Firstly, it is important to not put your aluminium pan in the dishwasher. This will discolour and dull the pan. Putting aluminium pans in the dishwasher or leaving them to soak in soapy water for too long can cause oxidation and rust.

Instead, wet the pan and shake on some Bar Keepers Friend powdered cleanser. Sprinkle on a little more water to make a paste that covers the stain. Using a soft rag, rub the paste until the stain is removed. You will need to rub it firmly, but it should wipe away quickly. Rinse the pan and rub away any remaining stains.

Tips:

• This process should take less than two minutes.
• Make sure to use a soft rag to clean the pan. Do not use abrasive scrubbers, green scouring pads, or steel wool as these will scratch the pan.
• Bar Keepers Friend can also be used to remove burned-on sugar and oils.

Dishwasher tablets

If you have burn marks on your aluminium pan, a dishwasher tablet is a great way to get it looking like new. This method is the most effective way to clean heavily burnt pots and pans with delicate coatings.

• Wet the burnt pan by filling it with a small amount of water.
• Place a dishwasher tablet in the pan. You don't need to remove the plastic coating from the tab.
• Use the tablet to gently scrub the bottom of the pan and any other burnt areas in a circular motion.
• Run warm water over the pan as you scrub. The warm water will help melt the coating, allowing the dishwashing solution to be distributed more evenly.
• Continue scrubbing until all the food debris has lifted. You may need to use two tablets to fully clean the pan.
• Rinse the pan with warm water.

This method is very effective at removing burnt-on food and grease without being abrasive. It is a great way to clean burnt aluminium pans without damaging their delicate coatings.

Salt

• Fill the pan with water. The amount of water will depend on the size of your pan.
• Add a few tablespoons of table salt to the water. The amount of salt needed will depend on the size of your pan. For a 10-inch pan, 4 teaspoons of salt should be sufficient.
• Bring the saltwater to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool down.
• Once the pan is cool, wipe it clean with a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth.
• Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining salt or residue.
• Dry the pan completely with a kitchen towel or allow it to air dry on a dish rack before storing it away.

Frequently asked questions