Salvaging Burnt Evoo: Tips To Clean Your Pan

Burnt pans are a common problem, but there are several ways to tackle this issue. Here are some methods to get burnt extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) out of a pan:

- Using baking soda and vinegar: This involves creating a fizzing reaction by combining baking soda and vinegar in the pan. The reaction helps to loosen burnt residue, making it easier to scrub away.

- Boiling lemons: Cut up lemons and boil them in the pan with water for about 10 minutes. The acidic lemon juice helps to break down the burnt EVOO, and the boiling process loosens the residue for easier removal.

- Dishwasher tablet: Cover the burnt area with a small amount of water and a dishwasher tablet. The enzymes in the tablet break down the burnt residue, making it easier to wipe away.

- Aluminium foil and baking soda: Make a paste with baking soda and water, then scrub the pan with a ball of aluminium foil. The abrasive nature of the foil and the mild abrasiveness of the baking soda help to remove the burnt residue.

Deglazing technique

The deglazing technique is a simple and versatile cooking method that can be used to create a delicious sauce and clean your pan simultaneously. It involves adding a liquid to a hot pan to remove stuck-on food bits, which are packed with flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide to the deglazing technique:

Step 1: Prepare Your Stovetop Dish

First, you need to cook your ingredients. This could be meat, poultry, fish, or vegetables. Sear or sauté your chosen ingredients, being careful to avoid burning the food particles at the bottom of the pan. A good fond (the brown, sticky residue left in the pan) will enhance the flavour of your sauce.

Step 2: Remove Food and Add Liquid

Once your ingredients are cooked, remove them from the pan, leaving the fond behind. If there is excess fat in the pan, spoon it off or pour it through a strainer. Then, while the pan is still hot, carefully add your chosen deglazing liquid. You can use wine, stock, juice, beer, cider, or even water. Just avoid dairy products as they may curdle.

Step 3: Scrape Stuck-on Food Bits

As soon as you add the liquid to the hot pan, use a wooden spoon or spatula to vigorously scrape and loosen the bits of food from the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Boil Mixture and Reduce to Simmer

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer. This step helps to concentrate the flavours and create a more potent sauce. If you used alcohol as your deglazing liquid, make sure it is fully evaporated before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Use Mixture in Sauce or as a Glaze

At this point, you can choose to use the deglazed mixture as it is, drizzling it over your dish to add extra flavour. Alternatively, you can continue to build upon it by adding spices, thickening agents, or other ingredients to create a sauce.

Tips for Successful Deglazing:

• Use a stainless steel, aluminum, or cast-iron pan for best results. Non-stick pans are not recommended as the food needs to stick to the pan to create a good fond.
• Avoid using a non-stick pan as it goes against the principle of deglazing, which relies on food sticking and caramelizing.
• Make sure your pan is not burnt before deglazing. Burnt food particles will make your sauce taste bitter. If your food burns, deglaze the pan with water to clean it, but do not use this liquid for your sauce.
• Pay attention to the amount of liquid you add to the pan. You want to add enough to cover the bottom of the pan by about 1/4 inch.

Baking soda and water method

To remove burnt extra virgin olive oil from a pan using the baking soda and water method, follow these steps:

Step 1: Remove Food and Debris

Use a spatula or scraper to remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Make a Baking Soda and Water Paste

Make a paste by mixing baking soda with water. The paste should be thick enough to fully coat the burnt portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, you can use 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water as a guide. Alternatively, you can cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then add enough baking soda to create a paste.

Step 3: Apply the Paste

Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan, ensuring that it is thick enough to fully coat the affected area.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Let the mixture sit for a few hours or even overnight. The longer you leave it, the more effective it will be at loosening the burnt residue.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

After letting the paste sit, add more baking soda and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. If you don't want to wait, you can add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then place the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil. However, be careful not to burn the pan again. Let the pan cool, and then wipe or scrub to remove the burnt residue.

Step 6: Wash and Dry

Once all the stains and burnt bits have been removed, wash and dry the pan as you normally would.

Baking soda and vinegar method

The baking soda and vinegar method is a great way to clean a burnt pan without using any harsh chemicals. Here is a step-by-step guide to the process:

Step 1: Remove Burnt Food Debris

Start by scraping out as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. You can use a spatula or scraper for this step.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar and Water

Fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar. Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. This will help to loosen the burned-on food.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Once the mixture is boiling, remove the pan from the heat and carefully pour out the liquid. Then, add a generous amount of baking soda to the pan. The baking soda will react with the vinegar, creating a fizzing reaction that helps to break down the burnt food.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Let the pan cool down until it is safe to handle. Use a nylon brush, scouring sponge, or polycarbonate plastic scraper to scrub away the burnt food. The fizzing reaction between the vinegar and baking soda should have loosened the burnt residue, making it easier to remove.

Step 5: Repeat if Necessary

If there is still burnt food or staining on the pan, repeat the process. Add more vinegar and bring it to a boil, then add baking soda and scrub as before. You can also try making a paste of baking soda and water, applying it to the burnt areas, and letting it sit for a few hours or overnight before scrubbing again.

Tips and Precautions:

• Always use caution when handling hot liquids and pans to avoid burns.
• Be sure to use white vinegar for this process, as other types of vinegar may not be as effective.
• While this method is suitable for most types of pans, avoid using it on non-stick or cast iron cookware, as the vinegar can damage these surfaces.

Boiled lemons

First, quarter two or three lemons and place them in the burnt pan. Then, fill the pan with water, ensuring that the water covers the lemons by a few inches. Next, place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Continue boiling for 5-10 minutes, or until you notice food particles floating to the surface of the water.

Once the water has boiled for a sufficient amount of time, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove. Discard the water and lemons, then rinse the pan. Finally, use a scouring pad or brush to remove any remaining burnt-on bits.

This method is simple and effective, requiring minimal scrubbing effort. It is also a natural approach, as it only uses lemons and water. However, it may not be as effective for removing extremely stubborn burnt-on food.

In addition to cleaning pans, boiling lemons can also provide health benefits when consumed. Boiling lemons is a popular way to make lemon water, which is known for its health benefits. Here is a general guide on how to make and use boiled lemon water:

To make boiled lemon water, start by slicing up lemons, preferably organic, into halves or small pieces. The amount of lemon used can vary, but a common recipe calls for four organic lemons. Next, place the lemons in a pot or saucepan and add water. Some recipes suggest adding other ingredients such as ginger, garlic, or honey to enhance the flavour or health benefits.

After adding the desired ingredients, bring the water to a boil. The boiling time can vary, but generally, it should be around 3 minutes. Once the water has boiled, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool down for about 10-15 minutes.

After cooling, remove the lemons and any pulp from the water. Pour the lemon water into a cup or glass and drink it. You can add honey or other ingredients to enhance the flavour. The boiled lemon water can be consumed hot or cold, and it is recommended to drink it in the morning to boost your metabolism and start your day in a healthy way.

Boiled lemon water is known for its health benefits, including improving digestion, boosting the immune system, aiding in weight loss, and improving mood and energy levels. However, it is important to note that consuming lemon water daily can damage tooth enamel over time. To minimise this risk, it is recommended to dilute lemon juice with at least 8 ounces of water, drink through a straw, and rinse the mouth after consuming.

In summary, boiled lemons have multiple uses, from effectively cleaning burnt pans to creating a nutritious drink with various health benefits.

Dishwasher tablet

• Step 1: Cover the bottom of the pan with water and warm it up on low heat.
• Step 2: Remove the pan from the heat.
• Step 3: Carefully rub the dishwasher tablet across the burnt-on bits. Be sure to wear gloves while doing this.
• Step 4: Rinse and wash the pan with warm soapy water.

This method is not only effective but also quick and easy. It will leave your pans looking brand new with relatively little elbow grease required.

It is important to note that using a whole dishwasher tablet for a single dirty pan is not very cost-effective or environmentally friendly. So, it is recommended to use this method only as a last resort when dealing with extremely stubborn burnt-on food.

Frequently asked questions