Erase Scorch Marks: Restore Pans To Their Former Glory

Burnt pans are a common problem, but there are several ways to tackle the issue. The first step is to act fast – the longer you leave it, the harder it will be to remove the scorch marks. It's also important to note that some pans may be beyond saving, especially if they have endured multiple years of heavy use.

There are several methods you can try to clean your burnt pan, some of which use natural ingredients like lemons, baking soda, vinegar, and cream of tartar. Others use household products such as fabric softener, dishwasher tablets, or Bar Keepers Friend.

For stainless steel pans, a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and aluminium foil seems to be the most effective method. For heavy-duty burnt pans, Bar Keepers Friend is a popular choice and can be used on a variety of surfaces.

It's also worth mentioning that you should avoid using oven cleaner and the dishwasher for your pans, as these can void the warranty and damage the pan.

Baking soda and vinegar

To get rid of scorch marks on your pans using baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add a thin layer of water to the bottom of the pan, followed by a generous sprinkling of baking soda. Next, add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least half an inch of liquid.

Place the pan on the stove and bring the water and vinegar to a boil. Allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add a cup of baking soda. This will cause a fizzing reaction. It is recommended to do this over the sink, as the reaction can be quite dramatic.

Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop. Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Finally, rinse and dry the pan.

For particularly stubborn marks, you can also try making a paste from baking soda and a few drops of water. Apply this paste to the marks and leave it to sit for a while before returning to clean as normal.

Lemon and water

To use this method, start by slicing two to three lemons and placing them in the burnt pan. Then, add water to the pan until it just barely covers the lemons. Place the pan on the stove and bring the lemon water to a boil for five to eight minutes.

You will know the pan is ready for a final scrub when you start to see food particles floating to the surface of the water. At this point, remove the pan from the heat and discard the lemons. Rinse the pan with hot, clean water, and use a scouring pad or brush to loosen and remove any remaining stuck-on bits.

While this method can require quite a bit of heavy-duty scrubbing in hot water, it is still an effective way to remove scorch marks from pans without the use of harsh chemicals.

Bar Keepers Friend

How to Use Bar Keepers Friend:

• Wet the surface of the pan with water.
• Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend powder onto the surface.
• For light cleaning, rub the powder in with a soft, wet cloth.
• Rinse the pan with clean water.
• For tougher stains, create a paste with the powder and water, leave for a minute, then wash, rinse, and dry.

Tips for Success:

• Always use a non-scratch sponge or cloth to avoid damaging the pan's surface.
• For very burnt pans, be prepared to put in some elbow grease and scrub for a few minutes.
• While Bar Keepers Friend is effective, it may not work on extremely burnt pans.
• Do not use Bar Keepers Friend on non-stick pans, as it may damage the coating.

Why Bar Keepers Friend Works:

The secret to its success is the 50% more grease-cutting detergents in the formula, which can remove burnt-on stains from metal, glass, ceramic, and more. It also contains oxalic acid, a plant-derived compound that shines up metal and removes rust.

Testimonials:

One user, Melissa Maker, compared several methods of cleaning burnt pans, including ketchup, cream of tartar, and baking soda. She found that Bar Keepers Friend was the clear winner, easily removing scorch marks with minimal effort.

Another user, Christine Cyr Clisset, raved about how Bar Keepers Friend brought the shine back to her stainless steel skillets, which had developed a patina, baked-on oil, and scorch marks. She also noted that it took some elbow grease to remove severe staining but was ultimately successful.

So, if you're looking for a reliable and affordable solution to remove scorch marks from your pans, Bar Keepers Friend is a great option!

Aluminium foil and baking soda

First, cover the burnt area of the pan with 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda and add a bit of water to make a paste. Then, take a piece of aluminium foil and crumple it up. Start scrubbing the paste all around the pan in a circular motion until all the food bits and stains are removed. Rinse the pan with warm soapy water and scrub with a non-scratch sponge if needed.

This method works on stainless steel and cast iron pans. It is also safe for non-stick pans as it does not require the use of metal tools or scrubbing pads.

For more heavily burnt pans, you can let the baking soda and water paste sit for a few hours or overnight before scrubbing. If you don't want to wait, you can add a little more water to the paste, bring it to a boil on the stove, and then scrub.

Baking soda is a great cleaner for pans because it has mild abrasive properties and an alkaline pH, which helps neutralise acidic burnt foods. It can also be combined with an acid like vinegar or lemon juice to create a fizzing reaction that loosens burnt-on food.

Dishwasher tablets

• Cover the bottom of the burnt pan with a small amount of water.
• Warm the pan on low heat.
• Remove the pan from the heat source.
• Using a dishwasher tablet, gently scrub the burnt marks on the pan. You can keep the plastic coating on the tablet intact to help it retain its shape as you scrub.
• Rinse the pan with warm water to wash away the residue.

This method is quick and efficient, and it can get your pan looking brand new in less than five minutes. However, it may require using more than one dishwasher tablet, depending on the severity of the scorch marks, which can make it a slightly expensive option.

Frequently asked questions