Restore Your Ceramic Pan: Removing Stubborn Burn Marks

Burnt ceramic pans can be a challenge to clean, but it's not impossible. Here are some tips and tricks to get your ceramic cookware looking like new again. Firstly, it's important to let the pan cool down before attempting to clean it. Then, remove as much of the burnt food from the pan as possible using a scrubber or scraper. Next, you can try filling the pan with warm water and leaving it to soak for a few hours. If this doesn't work, you can try using baking soda, vinegar, or a combination of the two. Sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and add a splash of hot water, or fill the pan with a mixture of vinegar and water and leave it to soak overnight. For more stubborn stains, you can try boiling a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Remember to avoid using metal pads, steel wool, abrasive nylon, or harsh detergents as these can damage the ceramic coating. Always dry your pan with a soft cloth or paper towel after cleaning. With these tips, you'll be able to get your ceramic pan looking good as new!

Let the pan cool before cleaning

It is important to let your ceramic pan cool down before cleaning it. This is because ceramic coatings do not respond well to quick, drastic changes in temperature. Introducing a sudden change in temperature, like putting a hot pan in cold water, can cause something called thermal shock. Thermal shock can ruin your pans, even the expensive ones. The metals cool too quickly and the pan starts to pull against itself. The bigger the temperature difference, the greater the shock, but even a small amount of cold water in the bottom of your sink can cause a pan to warp, shatter, crack or chip. Warped pans are a major problem because they won't cook evenly. They allow oil to pool on one side or the other, and they certainly 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 nonstick coating may find its way into your food.

The best way to avoid this type of damage is to 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 your granite countertops, be sure to wipe them clean first so the pan doesn't accidentally sit in a puddle of water. You should be especially careful when it comes to thin nonstick pans and cookware made with glass or stoneware, as these are the most susceptible to thermal shock. You'll have better luck with thicker, well-constructed pans, but that doesn't mean you should put your stainless steel or cast-iron skillets straight into the sink. After letting these types of pans cool briefly, you can speed up the cooling process by adding small amounts of tepid water.

Once your pan has cooled down, you can fill your sink with warm water and a few squirts of mild dish soap. Submerge the ceramic cookware and use a non-abrasive sponge or soft dishcloth to clean the surfaces. Never use steel wool, abrasive nylon, metal pads, or abrasive cleaners on ceramic coatings. They can cause minute scratches, which damage the surface and reduce the nonstick quality of the ceramic finish. Rinse the cookware with warm water. Dry with a soft dishtowel, or allow the cookware to air-dry in a dish rack.

Soak in warm soapy water

Soaking your ceramic pan in warm soapy water is an effective way to remove burnt-on food and oil. This method is a good first step to try before moving on to more intensive cleaning methods.

First, allow your pan to cool completely. Ceramic coatings do not respond well to quick, drastic changes in temperature, so letting the pan cool will help to prolong the life of your pan's non-stick ceramic coating.

Once the pan is cool, fill it with hot water and a small amount of liquid dish detergent. Let the pan sit for up to three hours. This will help to loosen burnt-on food and oil.

After soaking, you may find that the burnt-on food and oil have loosened and can be easily removed with a soft cloth. If not, you can try scrubbing the pan gently with a non-abrasive sponge or soft dishcloth. Be sure to use circular motions when scrubbing. Then, rinse the pan with warm water and dry it with a soft dishtowel, or let it air-dry in a dish rack.

It's important to note that not all ceramic pans can be left to soak in the sink. Some pans are made with materials like cast iron, which can rust if submerged in water for too long. In this case, it's best to simply fill the pan with soap and hot water instead of submerging it in the sink.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a great option for cleaning burnt ceramic pans. It is a gentle, yet effective, cleaner that can remove burnt-on food without damaging the pan's ceramic coating. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use baking soda to clean your ceramic pan:

Step 1: Allow the Pan to Cool

Before cleaning your ceramic pan, it is important to let it cool down completely. Ceramic coatings do not respond well to quick, drastic changes in temperature. Therefore, always allow your pan a few minutes to cool down before cleaning.

Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda

Once the pan is cool, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the burnt areas of the pan. Use a spoon to sprinkle, or simply pour the baking soda directly from the box. Make sure the entire affected area is covered.

Step 3: Add Water

Add a small amount of warm water to the pan. You don't need to fill the pan; just add enough water to make a paste with the baking soda. Use a spoon or your fingers to mix the baking soda and water together, creating a thick paste.

Step 4: Soak and Simmer

If the burnt-on food is particularly stubborn, you can try this alternative step: fill the pan halfway with warm water and place it on the stove over medium or high heat. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help loosen the burnt-on food, making it easier to remove.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

Using a soft sponge or dishcloth, scrub the paste into the burnt areas of the pan in a circular motion. Be gentle but firm, and persist until all the burnt-on food is removed. If needed, add a splash of hot water to help with the scrubbing. Avoid using abrasive cleaning pads, such as steel wool, as these can scratch the ceramic coating.

Step 6: Wipe and Rinse

Once all the burnt-on food has been removed, use a dry towel to wipe away the grime. Then, rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining baking soda and food residue.

Step 7: Dry the Pan

After rinsing, dry the pan with a soft dish towel or allow it to air-dry completely on a dish rack before storing it away.

Additional Tips:

• For extremely burnt-on food, you can add a few teaspoons of vinegar to the baking soda paste. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, creating a bubbling action that can help loosen the burnt residue.
• Always hand-wash ceramic cookware. Do not put it in the dishwasher, as the detergents used are too harsh and can damage the ceramic coating.
• Avoid using abrasive sponges or cleaning pads, such as metal pads and steel wool, as these can scratch the ceramic coating.
• Do not use metal utensils to scrape off burnt-on food, as this can also damage the coating. Opt for wooden or nylon utensils instead.

Use vinegar

Using vinegar is an excellent choice to clean a burnt ceramic pan as it can also remove oil stains and be used to clean other things at home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use vinegar to clean a burnt ceramic pan:

Step 1: Prepare the necessary materials

Prepare a cup of white vinegar, hot water, a sponge or scrubber, and a clean and dry dishcloth.

Step 2: Remove burnt food from the pan

Remove the burnt food or other food wastes left in the ceramic pan. Ensure that the pan is cleaned and cleared of any debris before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Pour vinegar and water into the pan

Pour one cup of white vinegar and three to four cups of tap or faucet water into the ceramic pan. Make sure the water does not overflow.

Step 4: Boil the solution

Place the ceramic pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Boil the solution for about three to four minutes. Then, turn off the stove and wait for the solution to cool down.

Step 5: Scrape and scrub the pan

Once the solution has cooled, carry the pan to the sink and scrape the inside of the ceramic pan with a sponge or a scrubber. Continue scrubbing until you remove all the burnt residue from the pan.

Step 6: Rinse and dry the pan

Pour out the cleaning solution from the ceramic pan and wash it with cold water from the faucet. Wipe the pan with a dry and clean dishcloth and let it air dry.

Additional tips:

• Avoid using abrasive sponges like metal pads and steel wool, as they can scratch the surface of the ceramic pan.
• When cooking in a ceramic pan, use only utensils made of plastic, silicone, wood, and nylon. Metal utensils can damage the ceramic coating.
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature when using a ceramic pan, whether during cooking or cleaning. Drastic temperature changes can affect the non-stick feature of the ceramic pan.

Use hydrogen peroxide

To remove burnt food from a ceramic pan, you can use hydrogen peroxide. This method is also effective for removing discolouration from the ceramic coating.

First, ensure your ceramic pan has cooled down completely. Then, pour enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to cover the bottom of the pan. The hydrogen peroxide should bubble. If it doesn't, the solution is not fresh, and you will need to try a new bottle.

Let the solution sit in the pan for 30 minutes. Then, rinse the pan with warm water and dry it with a soft cloth or a soft dish towel. The slight bleaching action of the peroxide will brighten the finish of your ceramic pan.

It is important to note that hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidising agent that breaks down the chemical bonds in burnt food, making it easier to remove. It also has a mild bleaching effect that can help remove discolouration. However, always read and follow the instructions on the product label, and test a small area first to ensure it does not damage the pan. Wear gloves and protective eyewear when handling hydrogen peroxide, as it can be irritating to the skin and eyes.

Frequently asked questions