Restore Your Pans: Removing Stubborn Burn Marks

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in the kitchen, but they can be remedied with a few simple household items. Leaving burnt residue on a pan can cause discolouration and an unpleasant odour, so it is best to treat the burn as soon as possible. There are several methods to clean a burnt pan, including using vinegar and baking soda, a dishwasher tablet, boiled lemons, or aluminium foil and baking soda. Each method varies in terms of effectiveness and time required, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your needs and the severity of the burn.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar

Add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid. Bring the vinegar to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. This will cause a fizzing reaction. It is recommended to do this in the sink.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling stops.

Step 5: Scrub

Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the pan clean and dry as normal.

Tips:

• This method works well for stainless steel or aluminium pans.
• Baking soda has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralise acidic burnt foods.
• Be careful when mixing baking soda and vinegar as it can cause an explosive reaction. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water.
• For a simpler version of this method, you can skip boiling the vinegar and simply use equal parts water and vinegar.
• For an even simpler version, skip boiling the mixture altogether and simply make a paste with the baking soda and water and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Then scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.

Aluminium foil and baking soda

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

This method is an enhanced version of the baking soda and vinegar method. It works just as well but is faster and more effective due to the foil's added scrubbing power.

Dishwasher tablet

Step 1:

Cover the bottom of the burnt pan with a small amount of water and place it on low heat.

Step 2:

Once the water is warm, remove the pan from the heat source.

Step 3:

Take a dishwasher tablet and begin to scrape it across the burnt areas of the pan. Focus on the particularly affected parts and rub the tablet in small circles. Continue doing this until the tablet starts to dissolve.

Step 4:

Rinse the pan with warm water and wash it with soapy water as you usually would.

Tips:

• It is recommended to wear gloves when handling the dishwasher tablet to protect your skin.
• This method may not work for all pans. For example, one source mentions that while one of their pans became spotless, the other still had some burnt marks remaining.
• This method may be more effective with certain brands of dishwasher tablets. One source mentions that they used Finish Powerball Tablets, while another used Finish Powerball Deep Clean Tabs.

Boiled lemons

Step 1: Prepare the lemons

Cut two to four lemons into quarters or thick slices. You want enough lemon pieces to cover the bottom of the pan.

Step 2: Add lemons and water to the pan

Place the lemon pieces in the pan and add enough water to cover the entire scorched area. It's okay if the lemons float! As long as the burnt part of the pan is covered, the lemons will do their job.

Step 3: Bring to a boil

Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat up to medium-high. Bring the lemon water to a boil and let it cook for about five to ten minutes. You will see the burnt food particles coming off the bottom of the pan as the lemons float around.

Step 4: Remove from heat and let cool

After boiling for a few minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let it sit until the water cools to room temperature.

Step 5: Discard water and lemons

Pour out the lemon water and remove the lemon pieces from the pan.

Step 6: Scrub away any remaining grime

Use a soft sponge or scouring pad to lightly scrub off any leftover burnt bits. Rinse the pan with hot, clean water until all the residue is gone.

Your pan should now be free of burnt-on food and stains, and it will smell lemony fresh!

Tips and Variations:

• If you want to try a variation of this method, you can add a teaspoon of dish soap to the lemon water before boiling.
• For especially tough burnt-on food, you may need to repeat the process or use a combination of methods (e.g., lemons and baking soda).
• Always test new methods on a small, inconspicuous part of the pan to ensure they won't damage the surface.
• Remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands during the cleaning process.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend, first wet the area to be cleaned. Then, sprinkle the Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish on the area. Next, rub it in with a soft wet cloth and rinse it off with clean water. For tougher stains, make a paste of the cleanser with water, let it sit for a minute, wash, rinse, and dry. It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend should not be left on the surface for too long as it may cause discolouration and scratches. It should also not be used on non-stick surfaces, cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces. Always wear gloves when using this product and avoid mixing it with other cleaning products as it contains acid.

Frequently asked questions