Emilie Meyer
Scorched pans are a common problem in the kitchen, but there are several ways to prevent and resolve this issue. Scorching is often caused by the pan being too hot, so cooking at the correct temperature is essential. Choosing the right oil for the temperature and type of cooking can also help, as some oils have a higher smoke point than others. For example, avocado oil has a smoke point of 520ºF, making it suitable for searing, whereas extra virgin olive oil, with a smoke point of 350ºF, is better for sautéing. If your pan does become scorched, there are various cleaning methods to try, including using baking soda and vinegar, dish soap and hydrogen peroxide, or sugar cubes. For milder scorching, simply soaking the pan in hot, soapy water overnight may be sufficient.
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What You'll Learn
Use the right oil for the temperature
One of the most common reasons for a scorched pan is the pan being too hot. Regulating the temperature of your pots and pans while cooking will prevent your food and your cookware from burning. Cooking at the correct temperature with the right oil can make a big impact on the outcome of your dish.
The right choice of oil depends on what you're making. For example, extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point of 350ºF, so it's suitable for sautéing but not for searing. Avocado oil, on the other hand, has a smoke point of 520ºF, making it a good option for both searing and sautéing.
If you're sautéing, heat the skillet to around 350ºF. You can lower the heat a bit if you want to simmer. However, if you want to sear your food, crank the heat up to 400-450ºF. If butter immediately browns or oil smokes when you add it, remove the pan from the heat. Start over with a new pan or after safely disposing of the butter or oil.
Different types of cooking oils have different smoke points. Classic options include olive oil and canola oil, while sunflower oil and walnut oil are less common choices. Always choose an oil with a higher smoke point when cooking at higher temperatures.
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Regulate the temperature
Regulating the temperature of your pots and pans while cooking will prevent your food and cookware from burning. Here are some tips to prevent pans and food from burning while cooking:
- Preheat the pan over medium or medium-low heat.
- If butter immediately browns or oil smokes when you add it, remove the pan from the heat. Start over with a new pan or after safely disposing of the butter or oil.
- Use an oil with a higher smoke point when cooking at higher temperatures.
- The ideal cooking temperature depends on how you plan to cook your dish. For example, heat the skillet to around 350ºF for sautéing. Lower the heat a little bit if you want a simmer. However, crank the heat up to 400-450ºF if you want to sear your food.
- Extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point of 350ºF, so it works well for sautéing but not for searing. Avocado oil, on the other hand, smokes at 520ºF, making it a good option for searing and sautéing.
Additionally, it is important to note that cheaper stainless steel pans can oxidize the metal due to their inability to withstand high temperatures. This can be noticed by the rainbow hues that appear on the pan over time, starting from brassy and then turning darker and black.
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Clean as you go
Cleaning your pans as you cook is a great way to prevent scorching. This can be as simple as filling the pan with slightly soapy water and heating it on low for a while. The heat and soapy water will loosen any stuck-on food, making it easier to clean the pan.
If your pan is only mildly scorched, you can try filling it with hot, soapy water and letting it sit overnight. In the morning, gauge how loose the scorched food is and use a scouring pad to remove it. You can also make a paste with a gentle abrasive like baking soda and use a scouring pad to scrub off the burnt food.
For more severely scorched pans, you may need to use a stronger cleaning solution. One option is to mix two to three cups of water with baking soda, white vinegar, or dishwashing soap and hydrogen peroxide. Bring the solution to a boil in the burned pan, then lower the heat and scrape at the gunk with a wooden spoon. Sugar cubes can also be used as a gentle abrasive to scrub away burnt-on food.
Another effective method for cleaning burnt pans is to use dishwasher tablets. Simply remove the wrapper from the tablet and use a gloved hand to scrape it over the scorched area. The burnt-on food should come up immediately, and the tablet will act as both a detergent and a scouring pad.
Additionally, you can try using natural ingredients like lemons to clean your pans. Quarter two or three lemons, place them in the pan, and fill it with a few inches of water. Bring the water to a boil and let it boil for 5-10 minutes, or until you see food particles floating to the surface. Then, discard the water and lemons, rinse the pan, and use a scouring pad to remove any remaining bits.
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Use a dishwasher tablet
If your pan is scorched, don't panic. You can use a dishwasher tablet to clean it and have it looking as good as new.
First, remove any loose food from the pan. Then, fill your sink with hot water and dissolve one or two dishwasher tablets in it. Place the pan in the sink and let it soak for 3 to 5 minutes. After soaking, the burnt-on food should wipe off easily. If there are any remaining bits, use a scouring pad to remove them.
Alternatively, you can wet a dishwasher tablet and rub it directly on the bottom of the pan, focusing on the burnt areas. Be sure to wear gloves when doing this. You can also try heating a small amount of water in the pan on the stove, then using a dishwasher tablet to scrape away any blackened bits once the pan is off the burner. Finally, wash the pan with soapy water and rinse.
For very burnt pans, you can try a combination of methods. First, add one cup of water and one cup of vinegar to the pan and bring it to a boil. Turn off the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Discard the liquid and wash the pan with a scouring pad. If there are still stuck-on pieces, add more baking soda and water to form a paste, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wash again with a scouring pad and dish soap.
With these methods, you can effectively clean your scorched pans and have them looking like new again.
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Soak in hot, soapy water
Soaking a pan in hot, soapy water is a great way to remove scorch marks and burnt-on food. This method is most effective for mildly scorched pans, but it can also be used for more heavily burnt pans with some adjustments.
Firstly, fill the pan with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap. The hotter the water, the more effective this method will be. If the pan has only a thin layer of burnt-on food, simply let the soapy water sit for as long as possible, preferably overnight. The next morning, use a wooden spoon to gently scrape away any remaining residue. Depending on how much gunk is left, you may need to use a scouring pad to finish the job.
For more heavily burnt pans, you can add other ingredients to the hot, soapy water to boost its cleaning power. One option is to add a dryer sheet to the soapy water and let it sit for about an hour before rinsing the pan with a scouring pad and dish soap. Another option is to add baking soda and white vinegar to the hot, soapy water and bring it to a boil in the burnt pan. After a few minutes, lower the heat and use a wooden spoon to scrape away the loosened gunk.
This method of soaking in hot, soapy water is a simple and effective way to clean scorched pans, and with some adjustments, it can be used for a range of scorching levels.
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Frequently asked questions
Regulating the temperature of your cookware while cooking will prevent your pan from scorching. Preheat the pan over medium or medium-low heat. If butter immediately browns or oil smokes when you add it, remove the pan from the heat. Use an oil with a higher smoke point when cooking at higher temperatures.
There are several methods to clean a scorched pan. One method is to mix two or three cups of water with either baking soda and white vinegar or dishwashing soap and hydrogen peroxide. Heat this mixture on medium heat with a lid until it boils. After a few minutes, lower the heat and scrape at the gunk with a wooden spoon. Another method is to use a dishwasher tablet. Scrape the tablet over the scorched area and then rinse.
A natural way to clean your pan is to quarter two or three lemons, place them in the pan, and fill it with a few inches of water. Bring the water to a boil and let it boil for 5-10 minutes or until you see food particles float to the surface. Discard the water and lemons, then rinse and use a scouring pad to remove any leftover bits.
A quick way to clean your scorched pan is to fill it with slightly soapy water and put it on the stove. Heat the water on low heat for a while. The pan will be easier to clean after this.
