Removing Burnt Water Stains From Pans: Quick Tips

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in the kitchen, but they don't have to mean the end of your cookware. There are several methods to revive your burnt pans, and most of them use common household items such as baking soda, vinegar, lemons, dishwasher tablets, dryer sheets, and even aluminium foil. So, the next time you're faced with a burnt pan, don't despair – roll up your sleeves, gather your supplies, and get ready to scrub!

Boiling water and baking soda

Step 1:

Start by removing as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. You can use a spatula or scraper, such as a wooden utensil, to get rid of the burnt residue.

Step 2:

Fill the pan with water and place it on the stove. Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil. For a stronger cleaning effect, you can use a mixture of half water and half vinegar.

Step 3:

Once the water reaches a boiling point, turn off the heat. Add baking soda to the pan. The amount of baking soda depends on the size of your pan. For a standard-sized pan, use 2 tablespoons of baking soda. If you have a larger pot or pan, you may need to add more.

Step 4:

The combination of baking soda and hot water will create a chemical reaction, causing the baking soda to fizz and bubble. This reaction helps to loosen the burnt residue in the pan. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to allow the baking soda to work its magic.

Step 5:

After the reaction has subsided, discard the liquid down the sink. Do not dry or wipe the pan at this stage.

Step 6:

Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pan vigorously. The baking soda acts as a mild abrasive, helping to lift the burnt residue. If necessary, add more baking soda to the pan during scrubbing for extra cleaning power.

Step 7:

Once you have removed all the burnt stains and scorch marks, wash and dry the pan as you normally would. Your pan should now be clean and ready to use again!

This method is an effective and affordable way to clean burnt pans using household staples. It may require some elbow grease, but it is a reliable solution to bring your pans back to life!

Boiling water and vinegar

First, fill your dirty pan with equal parts water and vinegar. The amount of liquid you use will depend on the size of your pan, but aim for enough liquid to cover the bottom of the pan. You can use white vinegar for this purpose.

Next, place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the mixture of water and vinegar to a boil. Continue boiling for a minute or so.

Once the liquid has boiled, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully pour the hot liquid down the sink and rinse the pan with warm water.

At this point, you can add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda to the pan. The baking soda will help to lift any remaining stains from the pan. Use a scouring pad to scrub away any remaining burnt-on food or residue.

Finally, rinse the pan clean with warm water. Enjoy your clean pan!

This method is a great natural way to clean your burnt pans without using harsh chemicals. It is also very affordable, as the ingredients are likely to be already in your kitchen. However, be aware that boiling vinegar can create a strong smell, and the process may require some elbow grease!

Using lemons

Lemons are an excellent natural cleaner for burnt pans, thanks to their antibacterial and acidic properties. They also leave your kitchen smelling fresh without the use of harsh chemicals. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use lemons to clean a burnt pan:

Step 1: Chop up lemons

First, cut two to four lemons into quarters or thick slices, depending on the size of your pan. You want enough lemon pieces to cover the bottom of the pan.

Step 2: Add lemons and water to the pan

Place the lemons and water in the pan and add enough water to cover the burnt area. Don't worry about covering the lemons—they will float!

Step 3: Bring the water to a boil

Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a rolling boil. You will see the burnt food particles coming off the bottom of the pan as the lemons float around.

Step 4: Let the water cool

After boiling for about 5 minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let it sit until the water cools to room temperature. Some burnt food might float to the surface.

Step 5: Discard the water and lemons

Once the water has cooled, pour it out and remove the lemons. Rinse the pan.

Step 6: Scrub away any remaining grime

Use a scouring pad, brush, or soft sponge to remove any leftover burnt bits. If necessary, add a bit of dish soap to help remove the grime.

Your pan should now be clean and free of burnt-on food and odours!

Soaking with dishwasher detergent

Step 1: Prepare the Detergent Solution

Start by adding one dishwasher tablet, one tablespoon of powdered dishwasher detergent, or one teaspoon of liquid dish soap to the pan. You can use whatever form of dishwasher detergent you have readily available.

Step 2: Add Hot Water and Soak

Fill the pan with a few inches of piping hot water from your faucet. Let the pan soak in this solution for at least 30 minutes. The longer you let it soak, the more effective it will be at loosening those stubborn burnt stains.

Step 3: Scrape and Simmer (Optional)

After soaking, use a plastic spatula or wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pan. Test to see if the burnt-on food comes off easily. If the stains are particularly stubborn, you can place the pan back on the stove and simmer the detergent-water mixture for about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Cool, Discard Liquid, and Scrub

Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down. Once it's cool, discard the liquid and scrub off any remaining residue. If there are still some burnt bits stuck on, you can add more detergent and repeat the process.

Remember, the type of detergent you use can affect the success of this method, so you may need to experiment with different detergents if the first attempt doesn't give you the desired results.

Using a dishwasher tablet

Burnt pans are unsightly and can be a daunting task to scrub clean. However, a dishwasher tablet can be used to effortlessly remove that 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. Carefully rub the dishwasher tablet—ensuring it's a powdered tablet and not a liquid one—across the burnt-on bits. You may need to wear gloves for this step.

The burnt-on food should come up immediately. If not, wet the dishwasher tablet in warm water and start rubbing it on the bottom of the pan, focusing on the burnt areas. You can also try heating up the water a bit more to help the tablet break down.

Rinse the pan and wash it with warm soapy water. You can also leave the dishwasher powder residue on the pan for about 10 minutes after the tablet has completely dissolved, before washing the pan in hot soapy water as normal.

Frequently asked questions