Erase Burn Marks From Your Teflon Pan

Teflon pans are a popular choice for home cooks due to their non-stick coating, which makes cleaning a breeze. However, even Teflon pans have their limits, and burnt-on messes can happen from time to time. So, what's the best way to remove those stubborn burn marks and restore your pan to its former glory? Here are some tried-and-true methods to get your Teflon pan looking like new again.

Use vinegar and baking soda

To clean a burnt Teflon pan using vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create the Mixture

Cover the bottom of the pan with water, then add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. The mixture should look like a slurry.

Step 2: Boil the Mixture

Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat on. Bring the mixture to a boil, then stir it with a silicone or wooden spoon. Keep stirring for about 5 minutes to encourage any burnt residue to loosen.

Step 3: Cool the Mixture

After boiling, allow the mixture to cool completely.

Step 4: Rinse the Pan

Once the mixture is cool, discard it down the drain and rinse the pan with warm water.

Step 5: Wash the Pan

Continue with regular washing by adding dish soap to your dish sponge and the pan. Scrub the pan clean, then rinse off all soapy residue.

Step 6: Dry the Pan

Use a paper towel, dishrag, or drying rack to dry the pan completely.

This method should help loosen and remove any black residue from your burnt Teflon pan. If the burnt food or residue still remains, you may need to try a different cleaning method or replace the pan.

Use salt water

If you like the idea of your pan cleaning itself, then using salt water is the method for you. It uses the power of salt to remove burnt food from non-stick pans and takes minimal effort.

Non-Stick Pan Salt Water Cleaner

• Fill the pan or pot with hot water and pour in about three tablespoons of salt. The exact amount of salt is not crucial, but the water should taste quite salty.
• Let the non-stick pan sit for a few hours. You can leave it to soak while you do something more enjoyable.
• After the pan has soaked, turn the burner on high and bring the salt water to a boil.
• Dump the dirty salt water and wash the pan using a little soap and water. Use a soft nylon scrubber, sponge, or paper towel with a few drops of dishwashing soap to wipe the pan clean. Be sure to wipe all areas of the pan, including the outside bottom and the handle.
• Rinse off all soapy residue from the pan.
• Dry the pan. Use a paper towel, dishcloth, or drying rack to dry the pan. Once the pan is dry, it's ready to be used again for cooking or stored for later use.

Use soap and water

If your Teflon pan is burnt, don't panic! Here's a detailed guide on how to use soap and water to effectively remove those stubborn burn marks and restore your pan to its former glory:

Firstly, it's important to let your pan cool down completely before attempting any cleaning. Never try to clean a hot pan as you risk damaging the surface and potentially hurting yourself. Once your pan is cool to the touch, fill your sink basin with hot water and add a few squirts of degreasing dish soap. Submerge the pan in the soapy water and let it sit for about an hour. This will help loosen any burnt-on food and make it easier to clean.

After the pan has soaked, it's time to dump out the dirty water. Grab a nylon scrubber or sponge – something soft and non-abrasive is best to avoid scratching the Teflon coating. Now, add some dish soap to your scrubber and the pan, and gently scrub the burnt areas. The dish soap will help break down any remaining oil, grease, and burnt food particles.

Focus on the burnt areas and use gentle, circular motions with your scrubber to lift away the burnt residue. Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water throughout the process to evaluate your progress and keep track of the areas that still need work. Repeat the scrubbing process until all the burn marks are gone.

Finally, once you're satisfied with the results, give the pan a good final rinse with warm water to remove any soapy residue. Dry the pan with a soft dish towel or paper towel, and your Teflon pan should be looking good as new! Remember to always be gentle and avoid using anything abrasive on your Teflon pan, including metal utensils and scouring pads, as these can damage the coating.

Use lemon

Lemons are a fantastic option for cleaning burnt stainless steel pans, especially for burnt-on eggs and noodles. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use lemons to clean your burnt Teflon pan:

Step 1: Cut up some lemons

Cut up two or three lemons and place them in your pan. The number of lemons you need depends on the amount of damage; for extensive damage, use three lemons.

Step 2: Add water

Add water to your pan. Make sure you add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan and the lemons.

Step 3: Boil the lemons and water

Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the lemon-water mixture to a boil. This should take between five and ten minutes, depending on your stove's heat settings.

Step 4: Wait for food particles to rise

As the lemon-water mixture boils, the acidity of the lemons will help to break down the burnt residue. You will see the food particles start to rise to the surface of the water.

Step 5: Remove the lemons and water

Once the food particles have risen to the surface, turn off the heat. Carefully remove the lemons and pour out the water. Be cautious, as the water will be very hot.

Step 6: Scour the pan

Use a regular scouring pad to remove any remaining bits of burnt food. Rinse the pan with water, and it should be good as new!

Additional tips:

• This method will leave your kitchen smelling fresh and lemony.
• Always let the pan cool before attempting to clean it.
• Avoid using metal utensils or abrasive sponges on non-stick pans, as these can damage the surface.
• For stubborn stains, repeat the process and let the lemon-water mixture simmer for longer before removing from the heat.

Use Bar Keepers Friend

If you don't have time to make a homemade cleaning solution, Bar Keepers Friend is a great option to remove burnt food stains from your Teflon pans. It is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used on stainless steel items and other surfaces like copper, glass, and ceramic.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of your pan. Next, sprinkle some of the product onto the burnt areas. Then, use a wet sponge to gently scrub the bottom surface of the pan. Finally, rinse the pan thoroughly within a minute of application to wash away all residue.

For tougher stains, make a paste by mixing the Bar Keepers Friend powder with water. Let the paste sit on the stain for about a minute, then wash, rinse, and dry your pan.

Bar Keepers Friend is safe and effective for cleaning stainless steel cookware when used as directed. Its active ingredient, oxalic acid, is naturally occurring in foods like spinach, rhubarb, tea, and cocoa products.

Frequently asked questions