Easy Cleaning: Removing Stuck-On Food From Pans

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in the kitchen, but there are several methods to remedy this issue. The most popular method involves using baking soda, vinegar, and water. Other methods include using dishwasher tablets, dryer sheets, lemon, salt, fabric softener, and even soda. The type of pan also determines the best method for cleaning, with different approaches for stainless steel, cast iron, and non-stick pans.

Baking soda and vinegar

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar Together

The combination of baking soda and vinegar creates a foaming chemical reaction that helps to break down burnt-on food and remove stains. This method is suitable for most pans, except cast iron, which can rust when exposed to vinegar.

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough vinegar to the pan to cover the bottom 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. This will create a fizzing reaction, so it's best to do this in the sink.
• Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to 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.

Using Baking Soda Alone

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help remove stubborn burnt-on food. Its alkaline pH can also neutralise acidic burnt foods. To use baking soda on its own, follow these steps:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Make enough to cover the burnt portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.
• Generously apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the surface.
• 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.
• If you want to speed up the process, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then place the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil.
• Quickly remove the pan from the heat to prevent burning.
• Let the pan cool, then wipe or scrub to remove the burnt-on food.
• Wash and dry the pan as usual.

Using Vinegar Alone

Vinegar can also be used on its own to clean pans. Simply add 1 cup of vinegar to the pan and bring it to a boil. This method is especially effective when combined with deglazing, which involves loosening the burnt-on food with a spatula or scraper before boiling the vinegar.

Other Tips

• For cast iron pans, avoid using vinegar, soap, or other acidic items as they can create rust and damage the pan's seasoning. Instead, use hot water and a brush to clean, and apply vegetable oil after drying to re-season and restore the non-stick surface.
• For copper-bottomed pans, a combination of baking soda, vinegar, and lemon can restore shine. Sprinkle baking soda over the copper bottom, then pour vinegar over it, and use a lemon half as a scrub brush.
• To prevent hard-to-clean messes in the first place, line your pans with aluminium foil or use a non-stick cooking spray.

Lemon and water

After boiling, remove the pan from the heat and discard the lemons and drain the water. Rinse the pan with hot, clean water and use a scouring pad or brush to scrub away any remaining bits. If there are stubborn spots, create a paste with baking soda and water and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

This method is simple and requires hardly any scrubbing effort. It is also a great way to make use of leftover lemons.

Dishwasher tablets

The burnt-on food should come off immediately, and you can then rinse and wash the pan with warm soapy water. This method is effective, quick, and makes the least mess out of all the other methods. However, it is important to note that different dishwasher tablets may yield different results. For example, Finish Powerball Tablets have proven to be quite effective in cleaning burnt pans.

While dishwasher tablets are a convenient way to clean burnt pans, it is not recommended to put non-stick pans in the dishwasher as it can ruin them.

Soaking in hot water

Soaking your pans in hot water is a great way to loosen burnt-on food and make it easier to scrub away. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, fill your pan with hot water. You can use completely hot water or a mixture of hot water and vinegar. Let the pan soak for about 20 minutes. If you didn't have a chance to soak it right away, or if the stain is particularly stubborn, you can extend the soak time to a few hours or even overnight.

If you're dealing with a cast-iron skillet, be careful not to expose it to prolonged soaking, as this can damage the pan.

Once the pan has soaked, it's time to scrub. Use a scouring pad, sponge, nylon brush, or polycarbonate plastic scraper to scrub away the loosened food. For non-stick pans, make sure to use a non-stick-safe sponge or nylon brush. For extra scrubbing power, you can also use a ball of aluminum foil, but this should not be used on non-stick pans.

Rinse the pan with clean water and dry it with a towel or microfiber cloth.

If there are still burnt-on food bits left on the pan, you can repeat the process or try a different cleaning method.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean your pans, start by running your dirty pan under hot water and then draining it. Next, put on some rubber gloves and make a paste by mixing a few tablespoons of the product with the residual water in the pan. Spread this paste over the burnt food in the pan and let it sit for 60 seconds. After the 60 seconds, rinse the pan thoroughly with hot water. Finally, use a sponge, brush, or scouring pad to scrub away any remaining food. If necessary, repeat the process for any stubborn spots.

Frequently asked questions