Cleaning Hacks: Removing Stubborn Sear Marks From Your Pan

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in kitchens, and there are several methods to clean them. The type of pan – stainless steel, cast iron, or non-stick – will determine the best method to remove scorch marks. For example, cast iron pans should not be soaked in water or washed with soap, whereas non-stick pans can be filled with water and boiled with baking soda to loosen gunk. For stainless steel, a combination of baking soda and vinegar can be used to scrub away marks.

Use baking soda and water

To get sear marks off a pan using baking soda and water, you can try the following methods:

The Baking Soda & Water Method

Firstly, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. You'll need enough to cover the scorched area of the pan. For a pan bottom, try 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water. Apply the paste liberally to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the area. Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, then add enough baking soda to create a paste.

Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. 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 to a boil. Remove from the heat quickly so the pan doesn't burn again. Let the pan cool, then wipe or scrub to remove scorched bits.

The Deglazing Technique

Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Put the pan back on the stove and heat until a droplet of water sizzles on the surface. Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar to the hot pan and allow to boil. As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening burnt bits of food. Pour the liquid into the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.

Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and let the pan cool. Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously. Wash and dry as normal once all stains and scorched bits have been removed.

The Baking Soda & Vinegar Method

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. You will get 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.

The Baking Soda & Lemon Method

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 flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly, which is a good sign!

If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to help remove the stains and restore the shine.

Try vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar and baking soda are a great combination for cleaning burnt pans. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare a mixture of vinegar and water

Pour a small layer of equal parts water and white vinegar into the burnt pan. The amount of liquid should be enough to cover the bottom of the pan.

Step 2: Boil the mixture

Place the pan on the stove and heat it up. Allow the mixture to come to a boil. This will help to loosen any burnt-on food and grease.

Step 3: Add baking soda

Once the mixture has boiled for a minute, remove the pan from the heat. Drain the vinegar and water mixture down the sink. Now, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the empty pan. The baking soda will act as a mild abrasive to help lift and remove any remaining burn marks and stains.

Step 4: Scrub the pan

Use a scouring pad, sponge, or brush to scrub the baking soda into the bottom of the pan. This will help to remove any stubborn burnt-on bits and stains. You can also make a paste with baking soda and a little water, and apply it to any remaining burnt areas.

Step 5: Rinse and dry the pan

Rinse the pan with clean water to remove any remaining vinegar, food particles, and baking soda. Dry the pan thoroughly with a towel or cloth. This will help prevent rust from forming.

Tips and Variations:

• For an even more powerful cleaning combination, you can create a "'volcano'" by adding vinegar to the baking soda in the pan. However, be careful as this can cause a somewhat explosive reaction.
• For burnt nonstick pans, fill the pan with water and add a generous amount of baking soda. Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help loosen burnt-on food.
• If you don't have vinegar, you can use just baking soda and water to create a paste and scrub the pan with a gentle sponge or a piece of aluminum foil.

Deglaze with water or vinegar

Deglazing is a great way to get rid of stubborn sear marks on your pan. It is a simple process that involves adding liquid to a hot pan, allowing all the caramelized bits stuck to the bottom to release.

• First, remove any leftover food from the pan and pour off any excess grease or oil. Dump out anything that seems burnt, as it won't taste good if you're using the fond to make a sauce.
• Return the pan to the stovetop and turn the heat up high.
• If you are deglazing with water, simply add cool or room temperature water to the pan. If using vinegar, slowly pour in a cup of white vinegar.
• As the liquid heats up, use a wooden spoon or a spatula to scrape the bottom of the pan. This will help loosen and lift the burnt-on bits.
• Continue scraping and stirring until the liquid is boiling and most of the fond has dissolved.
• If desired, you can let the liquid reduce by half to concentrate the flavor and thicken the mixture.
• Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in a bit of butter or cream to finish your pan sauce.

By following these steps, you can effectively use the deglazing technique to remove sear marks from your pan while also creating a delicious sauce to accompany your meal.

Use a dishwashing tablet

If you're looking to get sear marks off your pan, one method you can try is using a dishwasher tablet. This approach is simple, effective, and generates minimal mess.

Here's what you need to do:

• Cover the bottom of your pan with a small amount of water and warm it up on low heat.
• Remove the pan from the heat source.
• Take a dishwasher tablet and, wearing gloves, start scraping it over the burnt sections of the pan. You can remove the wrapper from the tablet to get better access to the burnt areas.
• Rinse the pan and wash it with warm, soapy water.

This method typically takes just 3-5 minutes and can be a great way to quickly and conveniently remove burnt-on marks from your pans. It's important to note that different dishwasher tablets may yield varying results, so you may need to experiment with different brands to find the most effective one for your pans.

While this method is efficient, it's important to exercise caution when using dishwasher tablets. These tablets are caustic and can be harmful to your skin, so always wear gloves and avoid direct contact with the tablets. Additionally, be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging and exercise proper safety precautions when handling them.

Boil with hydrogen peroxide

Boiling with hydrogen peroxide is a great way to remove stubborn stains from your pans without scrubbing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Remove Food and Deglaze

First, remove any remaining food from the pan and deglaze it. Deglazing is a simple process of adding a liquid (such as water, wine, lemon juice, or vinegar) to the pan while it's still hot and then stirring to release any stuck ingredients. This step is optional but can help loosen any remaining food particles and make the cleaning process easier.

Step 2: Boil with Hydrogen Peroxide

Now, it's time to fill your pan with hydrogen peroxide. Pour about half an inch of hydrogen peroxide into the bottom of the pan. You may want to open a window or turn on the ventilation fan as boiling hydrogen peroxide can produce a strong odour.

Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the hydrogen peroxide to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes. The stains and burnt-on food should start to loosen and lift off the pan.

Step 3: Remove from Heat and Let it Sit

After simmering for a few minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for a while. You can leave it for 10 to 30 minutes or even longer, depending on the severity of the stains. During this time, you can use a wooden spoon or a spatula to gently break up and lift off any loose pieces.

Step 4: Scrub and Rinse the Pan

Finally, it's time to scrub the pan. Use a soft sponge or a nylon scrubber to remove any remaining residue. If the stains are particularly stubborn, you may need to repeat the boiling process or try scrubbing with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Once you're done scrubbing, rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly.

Additional Tips:

• If you're dealing with a severely burnt pan, you can add baking soda to the hydrogen peroxide before boiling. Add about a quarter cup of baking soda to the pan, and it will help lift the burnt material.
• Boiling with hydrogen peroxide is generally safe for most types of pans, but it's not recommended for cast iron cookware.

Frequently asked questions