Removing Scorched Butter: Tips To Save Your Pan

Burnt butter in a pan is a common problem with an unpleasant outcome. The process of cleaning burnt butter from a pan can be tedious, but there are several methods to make the task easier. Some methods involve using common household products such as salt, vinegar, baking soda, fabric softener, and dishwasher tablets. Other methods include using more specialised products like Bar Keepers Friend, Magic Erasers, and oxy clean scrub. Some prevention methods include cutting butter into pieces, using indirect heat, and stopping heating just before the butter has melted.

Using Cream of Tartar

Burnt butter can be a challenge to remove from a pan, but cream of tartar can help loosen the burnt residue. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use cream of tartar to tackle that stubborn, scorched butter:

• Pour a quart of water into the burnt butter pan. Ensure the water level is sufficient to cover the burnt areas. If needed, adjust the amount of water accordingly.
• Add 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to the pan. The quantity of cream of tartar may vary depending on the severity of the burn and the size of the pan.
• Using a whisk or a spoon, mix the cream of tartar into the water. Continue stirring until the cream of tartar is fully dissolved, and you have a uniform solution.
• Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the water to a gentle boil. The boiling process will help accelerate the cleaning action of the cream of tartar solution.
• Allow the pan to boil for approximately 10 minutes. During this time, the solution will work to loosen and lift the burnt butter residue from the pan's surface.
• After boiling, carefully remove the pan from the stove and pour the water down the drain. Be cautious as the water will be hot.
• Clean the pan using a dish rag, soap, and warm water. The burnt butter should now be significantly easier to remove. Scrub the affected areas with the dish rag, applying gentle pressure as needed.
• If necessary, repeat the process. For heavily burnt butter residue, you may need to perform the above steps more than once to achieve the desired level of cleanliness.

By following these steps, you can effectively use cream of tartar to remove scorched butter from your pan, leaving it clean and ready for your next culinary creation.

Using Fabric Softener

Burnt butter can be a challenge to clean, but fabric softener can help loosen the burnt residue right off your cooking pan. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use fabric softener to clean scolded butter from a pan:

• Fill the pan with water: Start by filling the burnt butter pan with water. The amount of water you use will depend on the size of your pan, but ensure it is enough to cover the burnt areas.
• Add fabric softener: Pour a generous amount of liquid fabric softener into the pan. You don't need to hold back; the more softener you use, the better it will work.
• Let it soak: Allow the pan to soak for at least an hour. The longer you let it soak, the easier it will be to remove the burnt butter. You can even let it soak overnight if you prefer.
• Scrub and rinse: After soaking, use a dish rag, sponge, or scrubber to clean the pan. Apply some dish soap to the rag or sponge and scrub the pan gently. Rinse the pan with clean water to remove any remaining fabric softener and burnt butter residue.
• Dry and shine: Finally, dry the pan with a clean cloth or let it air dry. If you want to add some extra shine, you can use a small amount of cooking oil and rub it onto the pan with a paper towel or cloth.

Soak in hot water with oxy clean scrub

If you have burnt butter stuck in a pan, one method to remove it is to soak the pan in hot water with a cleaning product. Oxy-Clean is a popular choice for this purpose, as it is known to cut through grease and soap scum.

To use this method, start by filling your sink with hot water. Add a few squirts of Oxy-Clean to the water and stir it to create some bubbles. Next, place the burnt pan in the sink, making sure it is fully submerged. Let the pan soak for at least 15 minutes, or until you see the burnt butter starting to lift. Finally, remove the pan from the sink and scrub it gently with a sponge or scouring pad to remove any remaining residue.

It is important to note that Oxy-Clean has a strong chemical smell, so it is recommended to wear rubber gloves and ensure proper ventilation during this process. Additionally, always test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous portion of the pan first to ensure it won't damage the surface.

Using Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola can be used to clean burnt pans. The drink's acidic nature is strong enough to break down burn marks without ruining non-stick coatings.

Here's how to do it:

• Remove any waste food from the pan and dispose of it.
• Pour boiling water into the pan. This will soften and dislodge some burn marks.
• Remove the boiling water.
• Fill the pan with Coca-Cola, making sure all the burnt areas are covered.
• Boil the Coke in the pan.
• Turn off the heat when the Coke starts bubbling.
• Leave the pan to cool down. You can leave the Coke in the pan for a few hours or overnight.
• When the Coke is cold, pour the liquid away.
• Scrape the scorch marks off the pan with a plastic scraper.
• Grab a steel wool pad or plastic mesh scourer that has been soaked in warm water and washing-up liquid, and gently massage the burnt patches.
• Rinse the debris away.
• Clean the pan again with some soapy water to remove any lasting grime.
• Examine the pan for marks and repeat the process if necessary.

Using a dishwasher tablet

If you're looking to remove scolded butter from a pan, one effective method is to use a dishwasher tablet. This approach is simple, inexpensive, and requires minimal scrubbing. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a dishwasher tablet to tackle that stubborn, scolded butter:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Start by ensuring your pan is dry. If there are any remaining food particles or residue in the pan, give it a quick rinse with warm water. You don't need to wash the pan thoroughly, as you'll be scrubbing it later. Just make sure any large chunks or loose debris are removed.

Step 2: Warm the Pan

Place the pan on the stovetop and turn the heat to low. You want to gently warm the pan, not heat it to high temperatures. This step helps soften the scolded butter, making it easier to remove.

Step 3: Scrub with a Dishwasher Tablet

Now, it's time to grab your dishwasher tablet. Look for a powder-based tablet, as these tend to be more effective for this purpose. With gloved hands, gently rub the dishwasher tablet directly onto the burnt areas of the pan. You can use circular motions or back-and-forth motions to work the tablet into the scolded butter. The tablet will start to break down and dissolve, and you'll notice that the water in the pan may turn dark brown as the butter and grease are lifted away.

Step 4: Rinse and Wash

Once you've scrubbed the pan with the dishwasher tablet and most of the burnt butter has been removed, it's time to rinse and wash the pan. Remove the pan from the heat and rinse it with warm water to remove any remaining residue. Then, wash the pan with warm, soapy water as you normally would. You can use a sponge or a soft scouring pad for this step to ensure you remove any lingering dishwasher tablet residue.

Tips and Tricks:

• If you have particularly stubborn burnt-on bits, you can try warming the pan with a small amount of water before scrubbing with the dishwasher tablet. This can help loosen the burnt butter even further.
• Always wear gloves when handling dishwasher tablets and scrubbing the pan to protect your hands.
• While this method is effective, it may not completely remove all discolouration from the pan. However, it will leave your pan much cleaner and free of burnt butter.
• For best results, look for dishwasher tablets designed for deep cleaning, such as Finish Powerball Tablets. These tablets are known for their powerful cleaning abilities.

Frequently asked questions