Erase Burned Food From Cookware

Burnt food on pots and pans is a common problem with various solutions. The best method for cleaning burnt pans depends on the type of pan and the severity of the burn. Non-stick pans should not be soaked or scrubbed with abrasive materials, while cast iron pans should not be soaked for long periods or scrubbed with harsh materials. For stainless steel pans, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar is a popular solution. This can be enhanced by using lemons, aluminium foil, or a dishwasher tablet. For lighter messes, a simple soak in hot water may be enough to loosen the burnt food.

Soak in hot water

Soaking a burnt pot or pan in hot water can help loosen burnt-on food, but it might not be strong enough on its own. To boost the power of this method, you can add common household products like baking soda, vinegar, or dishwasher tablets to the hot water.

Method 1: Baking Soda and Dishwashing Liquid

This method is best for aluminium, stainless steel, enamel-coated, and copper pots and pans. Avoid using it on cast iron.

• Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of warm water, and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid.
• Soak the pan for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Scrub the pan with a plastic scrubber, paying special attention to the curves of the dish.
• Rinse the pan well.
• For stubborn, stuck-on residue, make a fresh cleaning solution and heat the pan on the stovetop until it boils.

Method 2: Alka-Seltzer Tablets

This method is best for all types of pots and pans, but avoid soaking cast-iron.

• Add enough hot water to your pot or pan to cover the burned area.
• Add six Alka-Seltzer tablets and allow them to fizz so that the citric acid can break down the burnt-on food.
• Set the pan aside and let the solution sit for an hour.
• Pour out the solution, then add hot water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
• Use a scrubber to clean the pan.

Method 3: Dryer Sheet

This method is best for all types of pots and pans, but avoid soaking cast-iron.

• Add a few drops of dish soap along with some hot water to the pan.
• Submerge a dryer sheet in the water and let it sit for an hour.
• Remove and discard the dryer sheet, then rinse out the pan using a scouring pad and dish soap.

Method 4: Dishwasher Tablet

This method is best for most pots and pans except non-stick and cast iron cookware.

• Add enough water to cover the burnt-on area.
• Add a dishwasher detergent tablet.
• Place the pan on the stove and heat on medium to high heat until the water boils. Allow the solution to boil for two minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat source and let the water cool, then scrub with a brush or sponge.
• Rinse the pan well.

Tips for Soaking in Hot Water:

• For extra cleaning power, add a layer of salt or baking soda to the bottom of the pan before soaking.
• Use a plastic pan scraper to remove burnt-on food without scratching the bottom of the pan.
• Always set a timer when cooking to prevent burning.
• Properly oil the bottom of your pan before cooking and wait until the pan has reached the correct temperature before adding ingredients.

Use baking soda and vinegar

Vinegar and baking soda are a great combination for cleaning burnt pots and pans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use these two kitchen staples to remove stubborn burnt food from your cookware:

Step 1: Boil Vinegar and Water

Fill your burnt pan with equal parts water and vinegar. Bring this mixture to a boil. The vinegar is a great multi-purpose cleaner and will help loosen the burnt-on food.

Step 2: Add Baking Soda

Once the mixture is boiling, remove the pan from the heat. Carefully discard the liquid down the sink. Now, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the warm pan. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and will help lift the staining. It also has alkaline properties that can neutralise acidic burnt foods.

Step 3: Let it Soak

Let the pan cool down. You can leave it to soak for up to 15 minutes. This will give the baking soda time to work on the burnt residue.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Once the pan is cool enough to handle, add a little more baking soda and scrub away the burnt food with a scouring sponge, nylon brush, or polycarbonate plastic scraper. If your pan is non-stick, avoid using abrasive cleaners and scouring supplies. Instead, opt for a non-stick surface safe sponge or nylon brush.

Step 5: Rinse and Repeat

Rinse the pan well. For stubborn, stuck-on residue, repeat the process. You can also try making a paste with baking soda and a little water, applying it to the burnt areas, and letting it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

Tips:

• This method can be a little explosive, so be careful when adding the baking soda to the boiling water. Slowly sprinkle the baking soda into the pan to avoid a vigorous reaction.
• For an even more intensive clean, add a ¼ cup of vinegar to the baking soda paste. This combination will create a fizzing reaction that helps to loosen burnt food.
• Always test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous part of your pan first to ensure it won't damage the surface.

Try dishwasher tablets

If you've burned your food and are left with a mess in your pots and pans, don't panic! It's a common kitchen accident and there are several ways to tackle it. One effective method is to use dishwasher tablets.

How to Use Dishwasher Tablets to Clean Burnt Pots and Pans

• Rinse your dirty pan with hot water.
• Add a little water to the pan and place it on low heat.
• Remove the pan from the heat once the water is warm.
• Take a dishwasher tablet and gently scrub the burnt areas of the pan with it.
• Rinse the pan with warm water to wash away the residue.

This method is quick and efficient, and you'll likely have a clean pan in under five minutes. However, it's worth noting that it may take more than one dishwasher tablet to get the job done, so it could get a little pricey.

It's also important to remember that this method may not be suitable for non-stick or cast iron cookware. Always check that your chosen cleaning method is safe for the type of pan you're using.

Boil lemons in the pan

Boiling lemons in the pan is an effective way to remove burnt food from your pots and pans. This method is all-natural and can be used on all types of pots and pans.

To start, fill your dirty pan with water. Then, slice two to three lemons and place them in the pan. Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Bring the lemon water to a boil for five to eight minutes.

Once the water is boiling, remove the pan from the heat. You'll know the pan is ready for a final scrub when you see food particles floating to the surface. Take the lemons out of the pan and pour the water down the drain. Use hot, clean water to rinse the pan. Finally, scrub the pan with a scouring pad or brush to remove any remaining bits of burnt food.

If there are stubborn bits of burnt food that won't come off, repeat the process.

Use dryer sheets

Dryer sheets can be used to clean burnt food from pots and pans. The silicone coating on the dryer sheet helps to soften burnt food.

To use this method, start by filling the pan with hot water. Add a couple of drops of dish soap to the water. Then, place a dryer sheet in the soapy water, ensuring that it is fully submerged. Leave the solution to sit for at least an hour. For tough, stuck-on residue, you may need to leave it to soak overnight.

After the solution has sat for at least an hour, pour it out of the pan. The burnt-on food should now be loosened and easier to wipe away. If there are any problem areas, use a non-scratch scouring pad or scrub sponge to clean them.

Finally, give the pan a thorough cleaning, as you would normally, to remove any residue from the dryer sheet.

While this method requires minimal effort, it does take several hours for the dryer sheet and dish soap to work their magic. It is also worth noting that dryer sheets are not reusable and can be more expensive than other cleaning methods. However, this hack can be a great fix for those really tough, burnt-on messes.

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