Erase Black Marks On Pans: Easy Cleaning Tips

Burnt pans are a common problem, but there are many ways to tackle the issue. The best method will depend on the type of pan you have, and the severity of the burn. Here are some options to consider:

- Bar Keepers Friend: This product is a popular choice for cleaning burnt pans. It's a household cleaner that can be used on various surfaces, including stainless steel, ceramic and more.

- Baking soda and vinegar: This method uses affordable pantry items. Fill your pan with equal parts water and vinegar, then bring the mixture to a boil. Add baking soda, remove from heat and let it soak. Finally, scrub away any remaining burnt bits.

- Lemon and water: This natural approach involves slicing lemons and arranging them in your pan with water. Bring the mixture to a boil and then remove from heat. Scrub away any remaining food particles.

- Aluminium foil and baking soda: Rinse your pan with hot water, then sprinkle with baking soda. Add a small amount of hot water to form a paste, and scrub with a piece of crumpled foil.

- Dishwasher tablet: Scrub your pan under warm water with a dishwasher tab. This method is quick and effective, but it may require multiple tablets.

- Salt and lemon: Salt, especially coarse kosher salt, is great for greasy messes. Try pairing it with dish detergent and hot water, or massaging it into the pan with a cut lemon.

- Cream of tartar: Mix cream of tartar and water in a burnt pan, then bring it to a boil. Allow the water to cool, and scrub the pan clean.

- Dryer sheet: Soak your pan with soap, water and a dryer sheet. Let it sit for an hour, and the burnt-on food should loosen.

- Soda: Pour club soda or a store-brand soda into your pan while it's still hot. The carbonation will help to loosen the burnt grime.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. It's important to get rid of any loose particles before proceeding to the next steps.

Step 2: Apply Vinegar

Pour a thin layer of equal parts water and white vinegar into the pan, ensuring the bottom is covered. The amount of liquid will depend on the size of your pan. For a standard-sized pan, use around 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar.

Step 3: Boil the Vinegar

Place the pan on the stove and heat it until the liquid comes to a boil. This process will help loosen any burnt-on food and prepare the pan for the next step.

Step 4: Add Baking Soda

After boiling the vinegar, remove the pan from the heat. Now, add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pan. You may observe a fizzing reaction as the baking soda combines with the vinegar. This reaction is normal and helps to break down the burnt residue.

Step 5: Let it Sit

Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop. This may take a few minutes. During this time, the combination of vinegar and baking soda will continue to work on loosening the burnt food and stains.

Step 6: Scour the Pan

Once the fizzing has stopped, discard the liquid down the sink. It's now time to scrub the pan. Use a scouring pad, sponge, or nylon brush to remove any remaining burnt-on food and stains. For stubborn marks, you can add a bit of dry baking soda to your scouring tool for extra abrasion.

Step 7: Rinse and Dry

After scouring, rinse the pan thoroughly with clean water. Ensure that all the baking soda and vinegar residue is removed. Finally, dry the pan as you normally would, and your pan should be looking much cleaner!

Tips and Variations:

• For heavy-duty cleaning, you can try using equal parts vinegar and water instead of diluting the vinegar. However, be cautious as this may result in more dramatic fizzing.
• If you want to avoid the fizzing reaction altogether, you can pour out the boiled vinegar before adding the baking soda.
• For burnt pans with a copper bottom, try using a lemon instead of vinegar. Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda. This method is also effective for removing tarnish and restoring shine to copper cookware.

Lemon

Step 1: Prepare the Lemons and the Pan

Slice two to three lemons and place them in the burnt pan. The number of lemons you need may vary depending on the size of your pan and the extent of the burn marks. Ensure the pan is placed on a heat-resistant surface, as you will be using high heat during the cleaning process.

Step 2: Add Water and Bring to a Boil

Fill the pan with water to just barely cover the lemons. Turn on the stove and heat the pan on medium-high heat. Bringing the lemon water to a boil will help loosen the burnt-on food particles and grease.

Step 3: Boil the Lemon Water

Let the lemon water boil for about five to eight minutes. You will notice that the water will start to turn brown as it extracts the burnt residue from the pan. Continue boiling until you see food particles floating to the surface.

Step 4: Remove from Heat and Cool

Once you are satisfied with the results, remove the pan from the heat. Allow the lemon water to cool down to a safe temperature before proceeding to the next step. This step is important for safety, as you don't want to handle boiling hot water.

Step 5: Discard the Lemons and Drain the Water

After the lemon water has cooled down, carefully discard the lemons into a compost bin or trash can. Then, drain the lemon water down the sink. Be cautious, as the water may still be hot. You may want to wear oven mitts or use tongs to handle the lemons and pour out the water.

Step 6: Rinse the Pan

Rinse the pan with hot, clean water. This will help remove any remaining lemon residue and loosen any remaining burnt bits.

Step 7: Scrub the Pan

Use a scouring pad, brush, or sponge to scrub away any remaining burnt-on food or residue. If necessary, you can use a mild dish soap to aid in the scrubbing process. Scrub until the pan is free of burnt marks and residue.

Tips for Using Lemons to Clean Burnt Pans:

• While this method is natural and effective, it may require more heavy-duty scrubbing compared to some other methods.
• For extremely burnt or stubborn pans, you may need to repeat the process or use a stronger cleaning agent in conjunction with lemons.
• Always exercise caution when handling hot water and lemons to avoid burns or spills.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend on a burnt pan, first, wet the area to be cleaned. Then, sprinkle the Bar Keepers Friend powder onto the surface and rub it in with a soft, wet cloth. For tougher stains, create a paste by mixing the powder with water and let it sit for about a minute before washing, rinsing, and drying the pan. It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend should not be left on the surface for too long as it can cause discolouration and scratches. Rinse the product thoroughly after use and always wear gloves to protect your hands.

Aluminium foil and baking soda

Method

Rinse your dirty pot in hot water and drain. Then, sprinkle generously with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Add a few teaspoons of hot water back to your pan to form a paste with the baking soda and then begin scrubbing with a golf ball-sized piece of crumpled foil. Continue scrubbing until all of the burnt debris lifts, then rinse with hot, soapy water to finish cleaning.

Benefits

This method for cleaning a burnt pan yields pretty great results. While a small touch-up with additional baking soda may be necessary after an initial scrub, the foil really digs away the grime.

Tips

• This method is like the "deluxe" version of the baking soda + vinegar method. It works just as well but faster and more effectively, thanks to the foil's enhanced scrubbing power.
• Always use a non-scratch sponge to do this, especially on cast iron and non-stick pans!
• Finish with a final clean and wipe with a microfiber cloth and your pots will be back in shape!

Dishwasher tablets

If you're looking to remove black marks from your pans, one method you can try is using a dishwasher tablet. This is a quick and easy process that requires minimal effort and ingredients.

First, cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it on low heat. Then, remove the pan from the heat source. Take a dishwasher tablet and, with a gloved hand, begin scraping it over the burnt or marked areas. The dishwasher tablet works as both a detergent and a scouring pad, so you won't need to use a sponge. Rinse the pan with warm soapy water and you're done!

This method was tested on a pan with burnt egg residue, and the marks came off immediately. The entire process took only 3-5 minutes. However, it's important to note that the tester used Finish Powerball Tablets, and other tablets may yield different results.

If you're looking for an alternative method, you can try using baking soda and aluminium foil. Make a paste with the baking soda and a bit of water, and then scrub the pan with a ball of foil. This method is also quick and effective, and it will leave your pans looking brand new.

Frequently asked questions