Removing Stuck Towels From Frying Pans

Burnt grease on the bottom of a frying pan can be tricky to remove, but there are several methods you can try to get your pans looking brand new. Before you start, it's important to identify the type of pan you have, as certain substances and cleaning tools can ruin a pan if you don't use the correct cleaning method. For example, non-stick and ceramic pans can be damaged by metal, so you should avoid using steel wool or scourers on these surfaces.

Soak the pan in hot water

Soaking your frying pan in hot water is an effective way to loosen up grease and burnt food bits, making it easier to scrub off. It is recommended to soak the pan for 15-20 minutes. You can also add a few drops of dish soap or vinegar to the water to enhance the cleaning power.

If you have cooked something like bacon, which tends to leave grease and burnt bits on the pan, soaking it in hot water can help soften the grease, making it easier to scrub off.

For glass or metal baking dishes, add boiling water and let it sit for several minutes before using the scrubby side of a sponge to wipe away any residue.

A hot water soak can also loosen baked, caked-on food from dishes like lasagna or brownies. Fill the dish with warm to hot water, covering the sides. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes or until the food loosens. If you didn't get a chance to soak your dish right after cooking, you can always add hot water later and let it soak overnight. Then, wash it in the morning.

Use baking soda and water paste

If you have a burnt pan, you can use baking soda and water to get the job done. First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Apply the paste liberally to the burnt pan—it should be thick enough to fully coat the pan.

Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight. If you don't want to wait, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then put the pan on the stove and let it come to a boil. Remove it from the heat quickly—you don't want it to burn again! Let the pan cool, then wipe or scrub to remove the scorched bits.

You can also use this method to wash pots and pans regularly and prevent scorched stains or burnt-on residue.

Try lemon juice or vinegar

Lemon juice and vinegar are both excellent tools to help you clean your pans. They can be used to remove scorch marks, burnt food, grease splatters, and gunk from the bottom of your pans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use them effectively:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Flip the pan upside down and run some steel wool over the burnt bottom to loosen any stuck-on food or grease. You can also sprinkle a small amount of coarse salt onto the bottom of the pan.

Step 2: Apply Lemon Juice or Vinegar

For lemon juice, rub half a lemon over the bottom and sides of the pan. The lemon juice will help to remove any stains and add extra shine to your cookware. For vinegar, soak paper towels in white vinegar and lay them across the bottom of the pan. The acidity in both lemon juice and vinegar will help to break down tough stains and scorch marks.

Step 3: Let it Sit

Allow the lemon juice or vinegar to sit on the pan for a few minutes. The acidic properties will start to work on the stains and burnt-on food, making it easier to remove them.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

After letting the lemon juice or vinegar sit, use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to scrub the pan in circular motions. For tougher stains, you can use a non-scratch scouring pad or steel wool to help remove the remaining residue.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Once you have removed all the residue, rinse the pan with water and let it air dry. If you are cleaning a cast-iron pan, make sure to dry it thoroughly and then run a thin layer of vegetable oil on the bottom and sides to prevent rusting.

By following these steps, you can effectively use lemon juice or vinegar to clean the bottom of your frying pan. These natural solutions are a great way to avoid using harsh chemicals, and they will leave your pans looking shiny and like new.

Ammonia and time

Ammonia is a great way to clean a frying pan, but it does require some patience as you'll need to leave the pan overnight. Place the pan in a garbage bag, add a dash of ammonia, and let it sit for many hours or overnight. The fumes from the ammonia will loosen the burnt grease, and in the morning, it will have magically melted off!

This method is also perfect for cleaning stove grates or drip pans. It's a tried and true recipe for removing any deep-set stains from metal. Ammonia is also very cost-effective, usually costing less than a dollar.

However, do not use ammonia on Teflon pans, as it will damage the non-stick coating.

Dryer sheets

If you've burnt something in a pan and are left with a stubborn residue, a dryer sheet could be the answer to your pan-scrubbing woes.

This method works on scorched pots, burnt pans, and glass bakeware. It can help remove that brown, broiled-in gunk without the need for intense scrubbing.

Here's how to do it:

• Pour warm water into the dirty dish.
• Place a dryer sheet on the surface of the water.
• Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, or even overnight for really baked-in messes.
• Wipe the dish with a wet sponge. The caked-on grease and food should lift easily with the soft side of the sponge.

This method works because the conditioners in the dryer sheet help to de-grease your dishes and pans. You can also add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap to the water to help with tougher jobs.

So, if you're looking for a way to clean your burnt pans without all the elbow grease, give this dryer sheet hack a try!

Frequently asked questions