Effective Ways To Remove Gunk From Your Pans

Getting gunk off a pan can be a tricky task, especially if it's burnt-on food or grease. The type of pan you're dealing with and the level of dirt will determine the best approach to take. Here are some methods to help you get your pans looking like new again:

- Boiling Water: Fill the pan with water and put it on the stovetop or in the oven to boil. Let the water cool, then wash the pan as usual. This method works well for stuck-on food.

- Baking Soda and Vinegar: Make a paste with baking soda and vinegar, spread it on the pan, and let it sit for 10-20 minutes before scrubbing. Repeat if necessary, and hand wash with soap to remove any smell or taste.

- Fabric Softener Sheets: Put a dryer sheet in the pan, boil water, and let it loosen the gunk.

- Bar Keepers Friend: A mild abrasive that works well on stainless steel, anodized aluminum, enameled cast iron, and copper. Sprinkle on a wet washcloth or make a paste, let it sit, and scrub with a ball of aluminum foil.

- Dishwasher Detergent Tab: Add hot water to the pan, dip in a detergent tab, and scrub.

- Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix to form a paste, smear it over the mess, and let it sit for about 20 minutes before scrubbing.

- Bleach Cleansing Powder and Hot Water: Soak the pan with bleach cleansing powder and hot water for about 30 minutes.

Baking soda and vinegar

If you're looking to get your pans extra clean and shiny, baking soda and vinegar are a classic, tried-and-true combination. This method is especially useful for non-stick pans with visible charring.

First, create a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar in your pan. Boil this mixture for a minute, then wash it down the drain. Next, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the pan and scrub.

Alternatively, you can start by pouring enough water into your pan to cover the bottom, along with 2 tablespoons each of white vinegar and baking soda. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring continuously for 5 minutes to encourage any burnt residue to loosen. Allow the mixture to cool completely, then discard the vinegar solution and rinse the pan with warm water.

For an even more intensive clean, try filling your sink with hot water, then add in equal parts baking soda and vinegar—this combination will create a chemical reaction that will bubble up and help clean out your sink drain. Submerge your dirty pan and let it soak for 30-60 minutes, then scrub off the grime with a scouring pad or a scrubby sponge.

And if you're looking to add some extra shine to your stainless steel cookware, try rubbing half a lemon around the bottom and sides of the pan after cleaning, then rinse and let air dry.

Bar Keepers Friend and Scrub Daddy

Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product ideal for stainless steel items, though it can be used on several other materials, including copper, glass, ceramic, and enamel-coated cast iron. It can remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces. It also helps protect the surfaces of your pans, preventing them from rusting and tarnishing in the future.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of your pan. Then, sprinkle some of the powder onto a wet Scrub Daddy and scrub the stained area in a circular motion. If the mess doesn't start breaking up, let it sit for about a minute before trying again. Once you're done scrubbing, wash the pan with warm, soapy water and rinse it well. Remember to wear dishwashing gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend, as it can be harsh on the skin.

For very tarnished or greasy pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool. Once you've mostly cleared the surface, switch to a soft sponge or rag. Also, make sure not to let the powder sit on the surface for longer than a minute, though you can scrub for longer. For tougher stains, make a paste with the powder and water, and let it sit for a minute before washing, rinsing, and drying.

Scrub Daddy is a soft, scratch-free, and flexible sponge that can be used to scrub away messes without damaging the surface of your pans. It is safe to use on various materials, including non-stick coatings, stainless steel, cast iron, copper, and glass. The flexibility of the Scrub Daddy allows it to easily reach and clean the corners and edges of your pans.

Dishwasher detergent tab

If you have a dishwasher, cleaning burnt or stuck-on food from your pans can be as easy as placing them inside and letting the machine do the work for you. However, for the best results, there are a few things to keep in mind when using dishwasher detergent tabs to get the gunk off your pans.

Firstly, it's important to scrape off any large scraps of food from your pans before placing them in the dishwasher. This will ensure that the dishwasher detergent can focus on breaking down the more stubborn, stuck-on food residue.

When loading your pans into the dishwasher, make sure that they are facing the spray arm, which is usually located in the centre. This will ensure that the water stream is not blocked and can effectively remove the gunk from your pans.

It's also worth noting that not all dishwasher detergents are created equal. For removing stuck-on food, look for a detergent that is formulated to remove invisible food residue, such as Cascade Platinum + Oxi. These detergents contain stain-lifting ingredients that are designed to break down stuck-on food and leave your pans with a deep hygienic clean.

Once your pans are loaded and you've selected the appropriate detergent, simply let the dishwasher run through a cycle. When the cycle is complete, your pans should be free of any stuck-on food residue and ready to be used again.

In addition to using dishwasher detergent tabs, there are also a few other methods you can try to remove gunk from your pans. For example, you can use a combination of vinegar and baking soda, or lemon juice, to help loosen and remove burnt-on food.

Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

This method is ideal for removing baked-on grease and gunk from your pans. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural cleaning agent that, when mixed with baking soda, helps to loosen gunk in a way that other cleaners can't. The entire process takes a little over two hours, but you should expect a longer soaking time for very greasy pans.

Steps:

• Pour about ¼ cup of baking soda into a bowl and slowly add 2 to 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, stirring as you go, until a thick paste forms. If you add too much liquid, thicken the mixture with some more baking soda.
• Place the dirty pan flat in the sink, in a washtub, or on a large towel on your kitchen counter.
• Generously spoon the baking soda-hydrogen peroxide paste onto the pan, covering it completely. There’s no need to scrub or work the paste into the pan.
• Let the paste-covered pan sit for about 2 hours. (Note: Especially dirty pans may require more soaking time to loosen the grime.)
• Dampen a household sponge with warm water. (Do not use an abrasive pad, which can scratch nonstick surfaces.) Gently scrub the pan, applying extra effort to the tough spots, and rinse with warm water.
• Dry the pan thoroughly. This step is important: if you skip it, you run the risk of rust or corrosion.

Tips:

• If the back of the pan is also stained, repeat all steps on the other side.
• To keep your pans in good condition, always set a timer when baking, and consider using parchment paper instead of a thin coat of cooking spray or grease. Parchment won't leave behind any sticky, burnt-on residue.
• Before using this method, test the peroxide on an inconspicuous spot, as it can have a bleaching effect and is not a food-grade product.
• If you don't have hydrogen peroxide, you can use vinegar instead. The results may not be as effective as the baking soda/peroxide combo, but it is still a powerful cleaner. Combine equal parts of each to make a paste, scrub the pan with a sponge, and rinse.

Bleach cleansing powder and hot water

Bleach cleansing powders such as Ajax, Comet, and Bon Ami are great for removing baked-on gunk from your pans. As soon as you're done using a pan, fill it with hot water and add a liberal sprinkle of bleach cleansing powder. Leave the pan to soak for about 30 minutes, and the gunk will come right off.

This method is a great way to remove baked-on crud from your pans without having to scrub. It's also very cost-effective, as these cleansing powders are affordable and can be found at most grocery or homeware stores.

It's important to note that you should always exercise caution when using bleach-based products and wear protective gloves to avoid any skin irritation. Additionally, make sure the room is well-ventilated when using these products.

By following this simple and effective method, you'll be able to keep your pans looking like new without spending hours scrubbing away at stubborn residue.

Frequently asked questions