Cleaning Hacks: Removing Stubborn Char From Your Pan

Burnt pans are a common problem, but there are several ways to tackle the issue. For stainless steel pans, one method is to fill the pan with water and add a few drops of dish soap, then add a tablespoon of baking soda and fill the pan a quarter of the way with water. Put the pan on high and let it simmer. After a few minutes, pour the hot liquid down the drain, being careful as the pan will be hot. Add another tablespoon of baking soda and use a cleaning toothbrush or a double-sided sponge to scrape away stuck-on grease. Rinse with water and your pan will be sparkling clean!

Another method for stainless steel pans is to fill the pan with a thin layer of water and bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add baking soda. Expect fizz! Empty the pan and scour with a scouring tool. If there are any stubborn marks, make a paste of baking soda and a couple of drops of water, leave the paste on the marks for a while, and then clean as normal.

For cast iron pans, scrub thoroughly with hot water, soap, and a sponge every time. If something is super burnt on, you can soak the pan for a few minutes or boil water in it. You can also scrub the pan with coarse salt and a paper towel. The salt will scrape away the burnt bits and soak up excess grease and oil. Scrub until the salt discolours, then dump it out and repeat until the salt stays white. Rinse the pan well, dry it, and oil it.

Use a mixture of water and vinegar

To get rid of char on a pan, you can use a mixture of water and vinegar. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare the Pan: Start by removing as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Scrape off any loose bits of food to ensure the cleaning solution can reach the burnt-on residue.
• Boil the Vinegar: Fill the pan with enough vinegar to cover the charred area. Bring the vinegar to a boil. This helps loosen the burnt residue and makes it easier to remove.
• Add Baking Soda: Remove the pan from the heat and let the vinegar cool slightly. Then, add baking soda to the pan. The amount of baking soda you need may vary depending on the size of your pan, but a good rule of thumb is to use about 2 tablespoons. The mixture of vinegar and baking soda will create a fizzing reaction, so be cautious and perform this step in the sink.
• Let it Fizz: Once you've added the baking soda, set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop. This reaction between the acidic vinegar and alkaline baking soda helps break down the burnt food, making it easier to remove.
• Discard the Liquid: After the fizzing has stopped, carefully pour out the liquid. Be sure to dispose of it safely, as it may still be hot.
• Scrub the Pan: Using a nylon scrub brush or scouring pad, scrub the pan to remove any remaining burnt-on food. You can add more baking soda to the pan as you scrub for extra cleaning power. Continue scrubbing until the charred residue is gone.
• Rinse and Dry: Once you're satisfied with the results, rinse the pan with clean water to remove any remaining vinegar and baking soda. Dry the pan thoroughly before putting it away or using it again.

This method is particularly effective for tough, burnt-on residue and is suitable for stainless steel, aluminum, and cast iron pans. Remember always to use caution when handling hot liquids and never leave a heated pan unattended.

Try baking soda and dish soap

If you have char on your pan, there are a few methods you can try to remove it. Here is a detailed, direct, and instructive guide on how to use baking soda and dish soap to clean char from your pan:

Method 1: Baking Soda and Water

First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water—use three parts baking soda to one part water. You can also cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then add enough baking soda to create a paste. Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight, then scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. 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 bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat quickly so it doesn't burn again, and let it cool before wiping or scrubbing to remove the scorched bits.

Method 2: Baking Soda, Water, and Vinegar

First, 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 the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda—you will get a fizzing reaction, so it might be best to do this in the sink. Set the pan aside and wait until the fizzing and bubbling stop. Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Rinse and dry the pan.

Method 3: Baking Soda, Water, and Lemon

First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Keep a thin layer of water in the pan, then sprinkle the bottom liberally with baking soda. Cut a lemon in half and use the fleshy side to scour the pan with the baking soda slurry. The combination of acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly. If your pan has a copper bottom that has gotten blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to help remove the stains and restore the shine.

Method 4: Baking Soda and Dish Soap

First, add a few drops of dish soap to the dirty pan. Then, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and fill the pan 1/4 of the way with water. Put the pan on high heat and let it simmer for a few minutes. Once the pot has simmered, pour the hot liquid down the drain—be careful, the pot will be very hot! Add another tablespoon of baking soda to the pan and use a cleaning toothbrush or double-sided sponge to scrub away stuck-on grease. Rinse with water and your pan is clean!

Soak with dishwasher detergent

Soaking your charred pan with dishwasher detergent is an effective way to get rid of the char without scrubbing. This method is simple and does not require much effort.

First, fill the pan with enough water to completely cover the burnt-on food. Then, add about a tablespoon of dishwasher detergent in total. You can use either liquid or powdered detergent, depending on what you have available.

Let the pan soak for at least an hour. For particularly stubborn food residue, you may want to let it soak overnight. After soaking, the food should easily wipe away with a sponge or cleaning cloth. If there are any remaining bits of food, a gentle scrub with a sponge or soft brush will do the trick.

It is important to note that if you are using a non-stick pan, you should avoid using abrasive sponges or steel wool as these can scratch the coating.

This method is not only effective but also cost-efficient, as you are using a product that you likely already have on hand.

Clean with dryer sheets

If you've burnt something in a pan, don't worry—it's an easy fix! All you need is a dryer sheet and some warm water. Here's a step-by-step guide to rescuing your pan:

Step 1: Add a Dryer Sheet to Your Pan

Place a single dryer sheet in the bottom of the pan. If you don't have any dryer sheets, you can also use fabric softener sheets.

Step 2: Cover the Dryer Sheet With Warm Water

Fill the pan with enough warm water to cover the charred bits and the dryer sheet. You can use hot water if you prefer, but warm water will also do the trick.

Step 3: Let It Soak

Let the pan soak for 15 to 20 minutes. For more stubborn, baked-in messes, you can even let it soak overnight. The longer it soaks, the easier it will be to remove the burnt residue.

Step 4: Remove the Dryer Sheet and Pour Out the Water

After soaking, remove the dryer sheet and carefully pour out the water. You may already see some of the burnt bits starting to dislodge!

Step 5: Wipe the Pan With a Wet Sponge

Use the soft side of a sponge to wipe away any remaining residue. You'll be amazed at how easily the caked-on grease and food lift off! For tougher jobs, you may need to use a little dish soap and give the pan a gentle scrub.

And that's it! Your pan should now be sparkling clean and ready to use again. This method works on all types of pans, including stainless steel, glass baking dishes, and even cast iron. So, the next time you have a scorched pan, don't despair—reach for a dryer sheet instead!

Use coarse salt and water

If you have a burnt pan, don't panic! You can use coarse salt and water to clean it. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Sprinkle coarse salt over the burnt areas of the pan.
• Let the salt sit for about five minutes.
• Add a small amount of water to the pan.
• Use a rough sponge or scouring pad to scrub the salt into the burnt areas.
• Rinse the pan with water to remove the salt and burnt residue.
• Repeat the process if necessary.

Using coarse salt and water is an effective and gentle way to clean burnt pans. The salt acts as a natural abrasive, helping to scrub away the charred, sticky messes. This method is particularly useful for cast iron skillets and stainless steel pans. However, it's important to dry the pan thoroughly after cleaning to prevent rust.

You can also try combining coarse salt with a little oil to create an effective cleaning compound. The oil will help to lubricate the salt and make it easier to scrub away the burnt-on food. Just be sure to rinse the pan thoroughly to remove any residue.

Additionally, you can fill the pan with water and bring it to a boil. This will help to loosen any burnt-on food. You can then use a stiff-bristle brush and a small amount of detergent to scrub away the residue. Remember always to dry your pan thoroughly and apply a thin layer of oil to maintain the seasoning.

Frequently asked questions