Cleaning Your Pans: Removing Carbon Build-Up

Carbon buildup on pans is a common problem, especially in busy kitchens. It can make pans look dull and dingy and cause food to stick or taste burnt. While it is not harmful, it can be unsightly and impact the taste of your food. There are several methods to remove carbon buildup from pans, including using coarse salt, toothpaste, or even ketchup. This paragraph will explore some of the most effective ways to get rid of carbon buildup on your pans and restore them to their former glory.

Use salt to scrub your pan

If you're looking at stubborn residue or burnt bits that seem permanently stuck to your pan, even after a thorough wipe, it's time to break out the salt. Coarse salt, such as kosher salt, works best for this method. Add two tablespoons of salt to your cooled pan. If the pan is still warm, allow it to cool down before adding the salt. You can also add a few drops of neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola, to help the process.

Using a kitchen or paper towel, rub the salt (and oil, if using) all over the inside of the pan. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive, helping to lift burnt-on food remnants and any polymerized oil. You can also use a wooden spatula to scrub the salt into the pan. Once you've removed as much of the burnt residue as possible, thoroughly wipe your pan to get rid of the oil, salt, and food residue.

If your pan is still looking a little grimy, you can repeat the process or try another method, such as boiling water or using steel wool. However, be aware that steel wool is extremely abrasive and should only be used as a last resort, as it can damage the seasoning on your pan.

After removing the carbon buildup, it's important to dry your pan thoroughly and rub it with a thin layer of oil to reseason it before storing it away.

Try cleaning with cream of tartar

If your pans have carbon build-up, cream of tartar can be an effective, non-toxic solution to restore them to their former glory. Cream of tartar is a powder made from crystals of potassium bitartrate, which occur naturally inside wine barrels and vats. It is a by-product of the winemaking process and is left behind in the barrels.

Cream of tartar is an acid, and when combined with baking soda, it creates a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction is useful in cooking, but it can also be used to your advantage when cleaning. The mild acidity of cream of tartar helps to break down burnt-on food, making it easier to scrub away. It also has bleaching properties, which can help to remove discolouration from your pans.

To clean your pans with cream of tartar, first, scrape off as much of the burnt food as you can using a spatula or plastic scraper. Then, you can either create a paste or use a boiling method. For the paste, mix cream of tartar with water until you have a spreadable consistency. Cover the bottom of the pan and leave it to sit overnight. In the morning, scrub the pan, and the food should come off easily.

For the boiling method, fill the pan with water up to the point where the carbon marks end. Add 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar, lemon juice, and distilled white vinegar. Simmer for 15 minutes, then turn off the heat and leave the pan to cool. Use a nylon brush to scrub the pan, and a steel wool sponge for any stubborn stains.

Repeat the process if necessary, and increase the boiling time for heavy carbon build-up.

Clean with baking soda and vinegar

To clean carbon-built-up pans with baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water. Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda to create a paste. Let the mixture sit for several hours or overnight. If you don't want to wait, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then put the pan on the stove and let it come to a boil. Remove it from the heat quickly so it doesn't burn again. Let the pan cool, then wipe or scrub to remove the burnt-on food.

For a more heavy-duty cleaning method, add white vinegar to the baking soda and let the chemical reaction break down the burnt-on food. Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Add enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid. Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. This will cause a fizzing reaction, so it's best to do this in the sink. Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling has stopped. Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary. Rinse and dry the pan.

For burnt-on food and stains on a non-stick or ceramic pan, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, then sprinkle the pot with baking soda to create a paste. Let the mixture rest for several hours or overnight, then scrub with warm water and a non-stick surface-safe sponge or nylon brush. Alternatively, bring a solution of 1/2 cup of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda to a boil. Remove from the heat and let the pan rest until it is cool. Add more baking soda and scrub with a non-stick surface-safe sponge or nylon brush.

For cast iron pans, cover the bottom of the pan with baking soda. Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of water until it is moist but not a liquid. You want the consistency of a sandy paste. Scrub the pan with a stiff-bristle brush or scouring pad. Do not add soap. The baking soda is a mild abrasive that will help remove stubborn burnt-on food, and its alkalinity will help neutralise odours or flavours that may be cooked into the pan. Rinse and repeat if necessary to remove any remaining burnt-on food. The more you scrub, the more of the good seasoning you will remove, so don't overdo it. Fully dry the cast iron pan and then rub with vegetable oil applied to a paper towel. Coat the bottom of the pan and up the sides. Place the pan on a stove burner and heat over medium-low heat for about an hour, or place it in your oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the same amount of time. The pan may smoke as it seasons, so turn on your vent hood to prevent setting off smoke detectors.

Use ketchup to clean pans

Ketchup is a surprising but effective way to clean your pans. The tomato-based condiment contains citric acid and vinegar, which can clean burnt pans and make them shine.

To use ketchup to clean your pans, start by choosing the pans you want to clean. Smooth a thin layer of ketchup over the bottom of the pan, or submerge the item in ketchup if you prefer. Leave the ketchup to work its magic for a few hours or, better yet, overnight. The acid in the tomatoes and vinegar will break down the carbon build-up and rust, making your pans shiny again.

After leaving the ketchup to work, wash the pan with your regular soap and a scouring pad, then dry it properly. Your pan should now be clean and shiny!

Before using ketchup to clean your pans, it is recommended to test a small, discreet spot on the pan first, as the acid in the tomatoes can be corrosive to some materials.

Try Barkeeper's Friend

If you're looking for a way to remove carbon buildup from your pans, Bar Keepers Friend is a great option. It's a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that's ideal for stainless steel items but can also be used on other surfaces like copper, glass, ceramic, and enamel-coated cast iron.

Here's how to use it:

• Wet the surface of your pan.
• Sprinkle on some Bar Keepers Friend.
• Scrub with a soft sponge or cloth, using just the moisture on the pan to create a paste. You can add a little more water if needed.
• For very stained or greasy pans, start scrubbing with steel wool, then switch to a soft sponge or cloth once most of the surface is clear.
• Rinse the pan well after cleaning. Don't let Bar Keepers Friend sit on the surface for longer than a minute.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Always wear gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend, as it can be irritating to the skin.
• Don't use it on non-stick surfaces, cast iron, granite, marble, wood, fabric, leather, or painted surfaces.
• Don't mix Bar Keepers Friend with other cleaning products, especially bleach or ammonia, as this can create toxic fumes.
• Don't leave Bar Keepers Friend on the surface for too long, as it may cause discolouration or scratches.

Frequently asked questions