Cleaning Pans: Removing Grime With Ease

Cleaning the outside of pots and pans can be a challenge, especially when dealing with stubborn grime and grease. The outer surfaces of cookware often lack non-stick coatings, making it easy for stains to stick and requiring more effort to clean. However, with the right tools and techniques, you can effectively remove built-up grease and grime from your pans. In this article, we will explore various methods, from using inexpensive household ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon to commercial cleaners, to restore your pans' outer surfaces to their former glory.

Baking soda and lemon

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove as much food residue and debris from the pan as possible. This step is crucial as it ensures that the cleaning agents can focus on the grime and stains.

Step 2: Create a Baking Soda Base

Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the bottom of the pan. You can also add a thin layer of water first and then sprinkle the baking soda to create a slurry or paste. The baking soda will react with the acid in the lemon, so it's important to have a good layer of it in the pan.

Step 3: Bring in the Lemon

Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan. The lemon will react with the baking soda, creating a fizzing or foaming action that helps to loosen burnt-on food and stains. The citric acid in the lemon also works to cut through grease and grime. You can also use the lemon to scour the sides of the pan if needed.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Allow the mixture of baking soda and lemon to sit for a while. This gives the ingredients time to work on breaking down the grime and stains. You can let it sit for a few hours or even overnight for best results.

Step 5: Scrub and Rinse

After the solution has had time to work its magic, it's time to scrub the pan. Use a nylon brush or a non-scratch sponge to gently scrub away the residue. Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining baking soda and lemon.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• For tougher stains, you can create a thicker paste with the baking soda and water before adding the lemon.
• If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pan upside down and use the lemon and baking soda mixture to restore its shine.
• Always dry your pans immediately after cleaning and rinsing to prevent water spots and calcium buildup.

By following these steps and using the powerful combination of baking soda and lemon, you can effectively remove grime and restore the shine to your pans.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda

First, create a paste by mixing a quarter of a cup of baking soda with two to three tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. If the mixture is too liquid, add more baking soda to thicken it. Next, place the dirty pan flat in the sink, in a tub, or on a large towel on the kitchen counter. Then, generously spread the paste over the pan, ensuring it is completely covered. Leave the paste to sit for two to eight hours. The longer it sits, the more baked-on residue will come off.

After letting the paste sit, dampen a sponge with warm water and gently scrub the pan, applying extra effort to any tough spots. Then, rinse the pan with warm water. It is important to thoroughly dry the pan after rinsing to prevent rust or corrosion. If there is still grime on the pan, repeat the process.

Vinegar and baking soda

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible. If there are large chunks of burnt food stuck to the pan, use a spatula or scraper to dislodge them.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar in the Pan

Pour enough vinegar into the pan to cover the bottom with at least half an inch of liquid. Place the pan on the stove and bring the vinegar to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes. The acid in the vinegar will help to break down the burnt food and grime.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Remove the pan from the heat and add baking soda. The amount of baking soda needed will depend on the size of the pan, but a good rule of thumb is to use enough to cover the bottom of the pan. You will see a fizzing reaction when the baking soda and vinegar come into contact. This reaction occurs because vinegar is an acid and baking soda is alkaline, and this combination can help loosen burnt food.

Step 4: Allow the Pan to Cool

Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop. This may take a few minutes. Do not try to rush this process by placing the pan in cold water, as this could damage the pan.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

Once the pan has cooled, discard the liquid and scrub it with a nylon scrub brush or scouring pad. Add more baking soda as needed to create a paste, which will help with the scrubbing process. Scrub until all the burnt food and grime are removed.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

After scrubbing, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining vinegar, baking soda, and food residue. Dry the pan thoroughly with a clean cloth or towel.

Additional Tips:

• For heavier duty cleaning, especially for pans with years of burnt-on stains, you can try submerging the pan in a boiling solution of baking soda and vinegar. Fill a large pot with water, add the stained pan, and bring it to a boil. Then, add baking soda and reduce the heat to a gentle boil for 15-30 minutes. The stains should start to flake off.
• If you're short on time, you can speed up the process by creating a baking soda and vinegar paste directly on the pan. Apply the paste generously, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a nylon brush or scouring pad.
• Always use a non-stick-safe scrubber when cleaning non-stick pans to avoid damaging the coating.
• For cast iron pans, avoid using water, soap, vinegar, or lemon juice, as these can create rust and damage the pan's seasoning. Instead, use a stiff-bristle brush or scouring pad with baking soda, and then re-season the pan with vegetable oil.

Oven cleaner

To clean your pans with oven cleaner, start by spreading the oven cleaner on the bottom of the pan. It is recommended to leave the cleaner on for a few hours, or even overnight, for the best results. Once the cleaner has had time to work, use a scrubbing pad to scrub the bottom of the pan. Finally, clean the pan in hot soapy water to remove any remaining oven cleaner residue.

This method is most effective on ceramic and non-stick pans.

Bar Keepers Friend

How to Use Bar Keepers Friend:

• Wet the surface of the pan you wish to clean.
• Sprinkle or mix Bar Keepers Friend with water to create a paste.
• Using a scouring pad, scrub the paste onto the pan in a circular motion. For very greasy or tarnished pans, you may want to start with steel wool before switching to a softer sponge.
• Rinse the pan and finish by washing it in hot soapy water.

Benefits of Bar Keepers Friend:

• Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powder that can easily remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces.
• It is gentle on your pans, helping to protect the surface and prevent tarnishing and rusting in the future.
• It is versatile and can be used on a variety of surfaces, including stainless steel, copper, enamel-coated cast iron, glass, and ceramic.
• Bar Keepers Friend is also very affordable, costing only a couple of dollars, so you can save money by restoring your pans instead of buying new ones.

So, if you're looking for a powerful and versatile cleaner to remove grime from the outside of your pans, Bar Keepers Friend is an excellent choice. It will leave your pans looking brand new without causing any damage or discolouration.

Frequently asked questions