Effective Ways To Remove Stubborn, Hardened Food From Your Pans

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in the kitchen, and there are several methods to tackle this issue. The first step is to remove as much burnt food and debris as possible from the pan. For non-stick pans, it is important to avoid using metal tools or scrubbing pads as they can damage the non-stick surface. Instead, use wooden or non-stick-friendly utensils. To loosen the burnt-on food, you can fill the pan with hot water and let it soak for a few minutes. You can also add common household items like baking soda, vinegar, lemons, Alka-Seltzer, or dishwasher tablets to the water to aid in removing the burnt food. After the pan has soaked, you can scrub it with a sponge, brush, or scouring pad to remove any remaining residue. For more stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the process or try a different method.

Soak in hot water

Soaking your pan in hot water is an effective way to remove hardened food. This method is simple and easy to do.

First, fill your pan with hot water. You want the water to be high enough to cover the hardened food. Let the pan soak for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help to loosen the food, making it easier to remove.

After the pan has soaked, dump the water and add dish soap to the pan. You can also add dish soap to a sponge or scrubber. The dish soap will help to break down any remaining grease or burnt-on food.

Using the rough side of the sponge or scrubber, gently scrub the pan to remove any remaining food. Be careful not to use anything too abrasive, as this can scratch and damage the pan's coating.

If the food is particularly stubborn, you can try repeating the process or adding a 1/4 cup of vinegar to the water for extra strength.

This method is safe for stainless steel and enamel pots and pans. However, it is not recommended for non-stick cookware, as it may damage the coating.

Use baking soda and vinegar

Using baking soda and vinegar is an effective way to clean a burnt pan without using harsh chemicals. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Create the Mixture

Fill your burnt pan with equal parts water and vinegar. Ensure the water covers the bottom of the pan. Then, add two tablespoons of baking soda.

Step 2: Boil the Mixture

Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. Baking soda and vinegar create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food.

Step 3: Soak

Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture soak. You can let it sit for up to 15 minutes. The longer it soaks, the easier it will be to remove the burnt-on food.

Step 4: Scrub

After soaking, discard the liquid down the drain. Use a sponge or scouring pad to scrub away any remaining burnt bits. If spots remain, create a paste with baking soda and a small amount of water, apply it to the pan, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

Tips:

• Be cautious when adding baking soda to boiling water/vinegar as it can cause an explosive reaction.
• For tougher stains, you can add more baking soda and let the mixture sit overnight before scrubbing.
• For burnt non-stick pans, avoid using metal utensils or abrasive scrubbing pads as they can scratch and damage the coating.

Using baking soda and vinegar is a simple and affordable way to clean burnt pans. With some elbow grease, your pans will be looking like new!

Try dishwasher tablets

If you have a burnt pan, don't worry—a dishwasher tablet can help shift that burnt-on grime with ease. Here's what you need to do:

• Cover the bottom of the pan with a tiny bit of water.
• Warm it up on low heat.
• Remove the pan from the heat.
• Carefully rub the tablet across the burnt-on bits. Be sure to wear gloves while doing this.
• Rinse and wash the pan with warm soapy water.

It's important to note that you should use powdered dishwasher tablets, not the liquid ones, for this purpose. Also, if you want to try an alternative method, you can use baking soda and vinegar, lemons, dryer sheets, or aluminium foil to clean your burnt pans.

Use dryer sheets

If you've burnt your dinner and are left with a mess in the pan, don't despair! Dryer sheets can help you tackle the clean-up. Here's how:

Firstly, add a few drops of dish soap to your pan. Then, place a dryer sheet in the pan and cover it with warm or hot water. Leave the pan to soak for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight if the mess is particularly stubborn. You can also try simmering the pan on the stove, but this isn't necessary.

After soaking, remove and discard the dryer sheet, then pour out the water. You may find that some of the burnt-on food has already come away from the pan. If not, take a sponge and gently scrub the pan. Rinse the pan, and you will find that the burnt bits will flake off with minimal effort.

Finally, wash the pan with soap and water as usual. Your pan will be good as new!

Lemon and baking soda

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan.
• Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda may cause a slight fizzing reaction, which is a good sign!
• Let the mixture sit for a few minutes. For more stubborn stains, you can leave it for several hours or even overnight.
• Using a nylon scrubbing brush or non-stick-safe sponge, scrub the pan vigorously.
• Rinse and wash the pan as normal.

You can also use this method to clean the copper bottoms of pans to restore their shine. Simply turn the pan upside down, sprinkle baking soda over the copper bottom, and pour vinegar over it. Then, use a lemon half as a scrub brush to scrub the bottom of the pan. Rinse the pan thoroughly and dry it with a cloth.

Frequently asked questions