Removing Burnt-On Pam: Saving Your Teflon Pan

Burnt pans can be a frustrating sight, especially if you've invested a lot of money in your kitchenware. Burnt Teflon pans can be salvaged with a bit of elbow grease and a clever cleaning concoction. The good news is that there are several ways to rescue your pans without damaging the non-stick coating.

Use vinegar and baking soda

If your non-stick pan is visibly charred, a mixture of white vinegar, water, and baking soda should help loosen and remove any black residue.

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 above mixture to a boil and stir to dissolve using a silicone or wooden spoon. Continue stirring for 5 minutes to encourage any burnt residue to loosen.

Step 3: Let the Mixture Cool

Allow the mixture to cool completely after boiling.

Step 4: Rinse the Pan

Discard the vinegar solution and rinse the pan with warm water.

Step 5: Wash the Pan

Continue with the soap and water method. Wash the surface of your non-stick pan with dish soap, hot water, and a dish sponge. If food has been burnt on the surface of your pan, let the pan soak in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Once the pan has soaked, dump the water and add dish soap to both your dish sponge and the pan. The dish soap will help break down oil, grease, and pieces of burnt food.

Let the pan cool before cleaning

It is important to let your pan cool down before cleaning it. Introducing a sudden change in temperature by placing a hot pan under cold water can cause thermal shock, which can ruin your pan. Thermal shock can cause warping, cracking, shattering, or chipping.

Warped pans are a major problem as they won't cook food evenly. They allow oil to pool on one side, and they won't sit flat against an induction or electric cooktop. Even if your pan doesn't warp, the finish can come off, and that chipped enamel or non-stick coating may find its way into your food.

To avoid thermal shock, let your pans cool down gradually on the stovetop. If you need to make space, place the pan on a trivet or another heat-proof surface. If you're using granite countertops, be sure to wipe them clean first so that the pan doesn't sit in a puddle of water.

Once the pan has cooled down, you can clean it with soap and water, or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda if the pan is visibly charred.

Avoid steel wool and rough sponges

Teflon pans are a popular option for those looking for easy cleanup. However, even these pans have their limits and are not immune to burnt-on messes. While cleaning a burnt Teflon pan, it is important to avoid using steel wool or rough sponges as they can scratch and damage the delicate coating on your pan.

Steel wool is one of the most abrasive cleaning tools available and is only suitable for use on durable surfaces such as stainless steel. The same goes for heavy-duty sponges, which are designed to remove tough, stuck-on debris from stainless-steel pots and baking pans. Using these abrasive materials on a Teflon pan will irreparably damage the non-stick coating, rendering the pan useless.

Instead, it is recommended to clean a burnt Teflon pan using warm water, dish soap, and a soft nylon or cellulose sponge. If the burnt-on residue is particularly stubborn, a mixture of white vinegar, water, and baking soda can be boiled in the pan to help loosen and remove any black residue.

It is also important to avoid nesting Teflon pans when storing them, as the bottom of one pan can scratch the surface of another. Placing a napkin or paper towel between them is a good solution if nesting is unavoidable.

By avoiding steel wool and rough sponges, and following the recommended cleaning methods, you can effectively remove burnt-on residue from your Teflon pan while preserving the integrity of its non-stick coating.

Wash by hand, not in the dishwasher

It's best to wash your non-stick pans by hand. Putting them in the dishwasher can warp your pans and strip away their non-stick coating, causing permanent damage.

General cleaning tips for burnt pans

You don’t need any fancy sprays to salvage a burnt pan. Some of the best ingredients for tackling tough burns can be found around the house—lemon, vinegar, and baking soda are top choices.

It might be tempting to jump straight to the most abrasive solution. But, to avoid scratching the pan’s surface, it’s best to start with the gentlest cleaning method first and work your way up to the stronger fixes if needed.

It’s important to always let the pan cool before you attempt to clean it. And when looking at how to clean a burnt pan, consider the type of burn you’re facing. A pan that has been left on the hob and scorched dry will need a different technique to a pan with a substantial amount of ingredients stuck to it.

When you’re battling a crust of food, like scrambled egg or welded-on melted cheese, try to scrape off as much of the debris as possible first. Then you can get to work on your magic on the stained metal beneath.

How to clean a burnt non-stick pan

You may be wary of scrubbing away at a non-stick pan—won’t it damage the surface? When tackling a burnt non-stick pan, stay away from steel wool and other rough sponges that may scratch through the stick-proof layer.

Some non-stick pans are dishwasher-safe. However, when cleaning burnt pans, it may be best to wash them by hand so you can target the affected areas.

A step-by-step guide to cleaning burnt non-stick pans by hand

White vinegar is an excellent solution for salvaging burnt non-stick pans. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Once the pan has cooled, pour in a generous glug of white vinegar, along with enough warm water to cover the burnt areas.
• Stir in two tablespoons of baking soda.
• Heat the mixture and bring it to a boil for a couple of minutes.
• Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula (avoid metal utensils) to remove as much of the burnt substance as possible.
• Leave the pan to cool, then pour away the dirty mixture. Any burnt-on food should come off with it, and you can wipe the remaining grease stains with a cloth.

For more stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the process and leave the mixture to simmer for longer before taking the pan off the heat.

Use a soft nylon scrubber or sponge

Once the pan has cooled from cooking, it's time to start cleaning. First, sprinkle a few drops of dishwashing soap onto a soft nylon scrubber or sponge. If your pan is particularly greasy, you can also add a few drops of dish soap directly to the pan.

Next, gently scrub the burnt areas of the pan. Be sure to wipe all areas of the inside of the pan, including the handle and hinges, as well as the outside bottom of the pan. Take care to avoid anything more abrasive, like steel wool or heavy-duty scrubbing brushes, as these can scratch and damage the delicate coating on your pan. Instead, stick to soft, nylon scrubbers or sponges.

Once you've scrubbed away the burnt-on residue, rinse the pan with clean water to remove any remaining soap. Finally, dry the pan with a paper towel, dishcloth, or drying rack. Your pan is now ready to be used again or stored away for later use.

Frequently asked questions