Scorched Saucepan: Removing Stubborn Burned Sauce

Burnt sauce pans are a common problem in the kitchen, but there are several methods to tackle this issue. The most popular method is to use a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and water. This can be done by creating a paste or by boiling the ingredients in the pan. Other methods include using lemons, dishwasher tablets, dryer sheets, salt, or cream of tartar. For non-stick pans, it is important to avoid using abrasive cleaners and instead opt for gentle methods like warm water and dish soap.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Remove Food Debris

Before you begin, remove as much food debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar

Fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar until the bottom is just covered. Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

After boiling the vinegar for a minute, remove the pan from the heat and pour out the vinegar down the sink. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the pan. The goal here is to use the two cleaning agents independently of each other, rather than creating a fizzy volcano by combining them.

Step 4: Scrub

Use a scouring pad to scrub the baking soda onto any remaining burn marks. Rinse the pan clean.

Tips:

• If spots remain, apply a paste made of baking soda and a little water and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.
• Be careful when mixing baking soda and vinegar as it can cause an explosive reaction. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water.
• If you don't want to use vinegar, you can substitute it with lemon, which has similar acidic properties.

Boiling lemons

Step 1: Prepare the Lemons

Quarter or slice two to three lemons. You can also cut them into eighths, as long as you have enough pieces to cover the bottom of the pan.

Step 2: Add Lemons to the Pan

Place the lemon pieces in the pan. If you have a large pot or pan, you may need to use more lemons.

Step 3: Add Water

Fill the pan with a few inches of water, ensuring that the water level is high enough to cover the burnt area. It is not necessary to cover the lemons, as they will float.

Step 4: Bring to a Boil

Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Continue boiling for 5-10 minutes or until you notice food particles floating to the surface. The acid in the lemons, combined with the boiling water, will help loosen and remove the burnt sauce.

Step 5: Discard Water and Lemons

Once the water has boiled for a sufficient amount of time, carefully remove the pan from the heat and discard the water and lemons. You may need to use oven mitts or pot holders to protect your hands from the hot pan.

Step 6: Rinse and Scrub

Rinse the pan with hot, clean water. Use a scouring pad, brush, or sponge to remove any leftover residue. If necessary, add a small amount of dish soap to help with the scrubbing process.

Additional Tips:

• The boiling lemon method is particularly effective for stainless steel or copper cookware.
• For extra shine, rub half a lemon around the bottom and sides of the pan after cleaning.
• If you have leftover lemons from cooking, this is a great way to use them up!
• For extremely burnt or stubborn residue, you may need to repeat the process or try a different cleaning method in addition to boiling lemons.

Dishwasher tablets

Burnt sauce pans can be unsightly and daunting to scrub clean. However, using dishwasher tablets can be an effective way to remove burnt-on grime.

Firstly, cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it up on low heat. Then, remove the pan from the heat source. The next step is to carefully rub the dishwasher tablet over the burnt-on bits. It is important to note that you should use powdered dishwasher tablets, not liquid ones. The warm water will help the tablet keep its shape as you scrub, but it will also gradually dissolve the tablet.

The burnt-on food should come off the pan immediately. If there are any remaining bits, scrub the pan with warm soapy water. This method is very quick and should only take 3-5 minutes.

Aluminium foil

Removing burnt sauce from a pan can be a tedious task, but aluminium foil can be an effective tool for this. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use aluminium foil to get rid of that stubborn burnt sauce:

Step 1: Rinse the Pan

First, rinse the burnt pan with hot water to remove any loose debris or remnants of the burnt sauce. This initial rinse will help prepare the pan for the cleaning process and ensure that any large pieces of burnt food are removed before proceeding.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Soda and Water Mixture

After rinsing the pan, it's time to create a cleaning paste. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda generously into the pan. Then, add a small amount of hot water to create a paste-like consistency. Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent due to its mild abrasive properties and alkaline pH, which can help neutralise acidic burnt foods.

Step 3: Scrub with Aluminium Foil

Now, take a piece of aluminium foil and crumple it into a ball roughly the size of a golf ball or a chicken egg. This crumpled foil will act as your scrubber. Start scrubbing the pan with the foil, using the baking soda paste as your cleaning agent. Scrub vigorously but be careful not to scratch or damage the pan's surface. The foil provides an abrasive yet effective cleaning tool that works in tandem with the baking soda to remove burnt-on debris.

Step 4: Rinse and Wash

Once you've scrubbed away the burnt sauce, rinse the pan with warm soapy water to remove any remaining residue. Wash the pan as you normally would, ensuring that all traces of the burnt sauce and cleaning agents are gone.

Tips and Precautions:

• While aluminium foil is an effective cleaning tool, avoid using this method on coated surfaces like enamel or non-stick pans, as the foil's abrasiveness may damage these coatings.
• Always test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area of the pan first to ensure it doesn't cause any damage.
• For heavily burnt pans, you may need to repeat the process or use additional cleaning agents like vinegar or lemon juice in conjunction with the aluminium foil and baking soda.

Soaking

Dishwasher Tablet Soak

Dishwasher tablets can be used to clean a burnt pan without much scrubbing. Simply cover the bottom of the pan with a tiny bit of water and warm it on low heat. Turn off the heat and scrape a dishwasher tablet over the burnt areas. Rinse the pan and wash it with warm soapy water. This method is quick and effective, but be aware that it may require using more than one tablet.

Baking Soda and Water Soak

This method works well for scorched pans with burnt food. Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Make a paste with baking soda and water, ensuring it's thick enough to fully coat the burnt areas. Apply the paste liberally to the pan and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. If you don't want to wait, you can add a little more water, boil the mixture, and then let the pan cool before wiping or scrubbing. After soaking, scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge and wash as normal.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Soak

This method combines the power of vinegar and baking soda to loosen and remove burnt-on food. Boil a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water in the pan to loosen the burnt food. Remove the pan from the heat, carefully empty the liquid, and add baking soda. When the pan is cool enough to touch, add more baking soda and scrub with a scouring sponge, nylon brush, or polycarbonate plastic scraper. You can also add vinegar and scrub again if needed.

Baking Soda, Dish Soap, and Dryer Sheet Soak

This method is ideal for pans with baked-on gunk. Mix half a cup of baking soda, half a cup of warm water, and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Allow the pan to soak in this mixture for 30 to 60 minutes. After soaking, scrub the pan with a plastic scrubber, paying attention to the curves and corners. Rinse the pan and repeat the process if necessary.

Lemon and Baking Soda Soak

This method is perfect for removing burnt food and shining stainless steel and copper pots and pans. Start by washing the pan with hot water and dishwashing liquid to remove as much burnt-on food as possible. Rinse the pan well. Add just enough hot water to cover the bottom of the pan and mix in a quarter cup of baking soda. Cut a lemon in half and use one half to scrub the pan. The fizzing reaction will help loosen the burnt bits. Rinse the pan well and repeat if needed.

Frequently asked questions