Scraping Off Stubborn, Burnt Food From Pans: Effective Strategies

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in the kitchen, and there are several methods to tackle this issue. The first rule of cleaning filthy pots is that it's easier to float away a sticky mess than to scrub it away. Soaking a burnt pot in hot water is a good start, but it might not be strong enough. Therefore, it is recommended to add common household products like baking soda, vinegar, lemons, Alka-Seltzer, dishwasher tablets, or even a dryer sheet to the hot water. These products help loosen the burnt-on food, making it easier to scrub away. For example, one method involves filling the pot with water, adding a few quartered lemons, and bringing it to a boil. The lemon's acidity helps loosen the food, and after discarding the warm water, the pan can be hand-washed as usual. Another method involves using baking soda and vinegar, which create a fizzing reaction that helps remove burnt bits. It is important to note that different methods work better for different types of pans, and some methods may require more elbow grease than others.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Boil a mixture of water and vinegar

Add equal parts water and vinegar to your pan and bring it to a boil. This will help loosen the burnt-on food.

Step 2: Add baking soda

Once the water and vinegar mixture has come to a boil, turn off the heat and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. You can then discard the liquid and wash the pot with a scouring pad.

Step 3: Make a paste

If there are still some stuck-on pieces, add more baking soda and water to make a paste. Let the paste sit for a few minutes, and then wash again with a scouring pad and dish soap.

Tips:

• This method works best for stainless steel and aluminium pans.
• Be careful when mixing baking soda and vinegar as they can cause a fizzing reaction. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water and vinegar mixture.
• This method is more time-consuming and requires more ingredients than some other methods.
• For a more heavy-duty clean, add white vinegar to the baking soda and let the chemical reaction help break down the burnt food.

Dishwasher tablets

To use dishwasher tablets to clean your burnt pans, simply follow these steps:

• Rinse your dirty pan with hot water.
• Cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and place it on low heat.
• Unwrap the dishwasher tablet and, with a gloved hand, scrape it over the burnt areas.
• Rinse the pan with warm soapy water and scrub with a brush or sponge.

This method is best for most pots and pans, except non-stick and cast iron cookware. It is also a cost-effective solution, as you likely already have dishwasher tablets at home.

For extremely burnt-on food, you can also try the following variation:

• Add enough water to cover the burnt-on area in your pan.
• Place a dishwasher tablet in the pan.
• Place the pan on the stove and heat on medium to high heat until the water boils.
• Let the solution boil for about two minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and allow the water to cool.
• Scrub the pan with a brush or sponge and rinse well.

This method is highly effective and requires minimal scrubbing, making it a great option for removing stubborn burnt-on food from your pans.

Lemon

To use this method, start by slicing a couple of lemons and placing them in the burnt pan. Then, fill the pan with enough water to cover the lemon slices. Bring the water to a boil for around 5 to 10 minutes. You'll know the pan is ready for scrubbing when you start to see food particles floating to the surface.

Remove the pan from the heat and discard the lemon water. Rinse the pan with hot, clean water and use a non-metal scouring pad or brush to remove any remaining stuck-on bits. For badly burnt pans, it is recommended to let the pan soak for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing.

This method can also be used to scrub the outside of copper or copper-bottomed pans. The acidic lemon juice will help to remove black, yellow, or rainbow oxidization stains and restore the shine of your cookware.

Aluminium foil

To use this method, first rinse your dirty pan in hot water and drain it. Then, sprinkle two tablespoons of baking soda generously over the burnt area. Add a few teaspoons of hot water back into the pan to form a paste with the baking soda. Next, take a piece of aluminium foil, crumple it into a ball, and begin scrubbing the pan. Continue scrubbing until all the burnt debris lifts off. Finally, rinse the pan with warm soapy water to finish cleaning.

This method is very abrasive and should not be used on non-stick pans or seasoned cast iron pans. However, it is an excellent way to clean enamel-coated, aluminium or stainless steel cookware.

If you don't have aluminium foil, you can also scrub the pan with a scouring pad, brush, or sponge.

Dryer sheets

If you've burnt your pan, don't worry – a dryer sheet could be the answer to your pan-scrubbing woes.

Firstly, fill the pan with water to a couple of inches, or enough to cover the burnt bits. Then, add a few squirts of dishwashing liquid. Next, lay one or two dryer sheets in the water and let the pan soak for 15 minutes to an hour, or even overnight for really baked-in messes.

The burnt-on food should now be easy to wipe or sponge off. Rinse the pan, and then wash it with soap and water as usual.

This method works thanks to the conditioning properties of the dryer sheet, which are released into the water and help to remove the gunk.

Frequently asked questions