Effective Ways To Remove Stubborn Burnt Porridge From Pans

Burnt porridge can be a pain to clean, but there are several methods to remove it from your pan. One of the most popular methods involves using a combination of vinegar and baking soda. First, fill the pan with water and vinegar, and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat and add baking soda, allowing the burnt food to fizz up. Finally, scrub the burnt bits away with a scouring pad. For stubborn stains, you can also make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the pan, and wait several hours before scrubbing.

Another method is to use dish detergent and water. Simply add powdered dish detergent and water to your pot, bring it to a boil, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, dump out the water and scrub the pot with a heavy-duty sponge.

If you're looking for a more natural solution, you can try using lemon juice and hot water. Chop up a couple of lemons, cover the bottom of your pot with the slices, and add enough water to cover the burnt area. Bring the water to a boil, let it cool, and then scrub away the burnt food with a brush.

Soak the pan in hot water

Soaking your burnt porridge pan in hot water is a great first step to restoring it to its former glory. The sooner you can do this after burning the porridge, the better. Fill the pan with hot water as soon as possible after the burning occurs. You can also add a few drops of dish soap and stir the mixture. Then let the pan soak for at least an hour. If you can, leave it to soak overnight.

If there are stubborn burnt-on bits that won't come off, repeat the soaking process. You can also try making a paste with baking soda and just a couple of drops of water. Apply the paste all over your pan and wait several hours for the mixture to penetrate the stains.

For really burnt-on gunk, one of the best solutions is a mix of baking soda, hot water, and dishwashing liquid. Mix half a cup of baking soda, half a cup of hot water, and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Allow the pan to soak in this solution for 30 to 60 minutes. Then scrub the pan with a plastic scrubber, checking 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.

Use vinegar and baking soda

To remove burnt porridge from a pan using vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:

Firstly, sprinkle 3 tablespoons of salt onto the burnt porridge in the pan, then add vinegar until the bottom of the pan is covered. Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil.

Next, turn the heat down to low and add 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Remove the pan from the heat as soon as the liquid evaporates.

Finally, wash the pan with water, being careful not to burn yourself with the steam. If necessary, repeat the process.

Alternatively, you can try the following method:

Boil a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar in the pan to loosen the burnt porridge. Remove the pan from the heat, carefully empty the liquid, and add baking soda. When the pan is cool enough to touch, add more baking soda and scrub away as much burnt porridge as possible with a scouring sponge, nylon brush, or polycarbonate plastic scraper. Add more vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan, and when the fizzing stops, scrub the pan. Rinse the pan and repeat the steps if needed.

Try a dishwasher tablet

If you've burnt your porridge and are struggling to remove the residue from the pan, one solution is to use a dishwasher tablet. This method is best for most pots and pans except non-stick and cast-iron cookware.

Firstly, add enough water to cover the burnt-on area. Then, place the pan on the stove and heat the water until it reaches a medium-to-high temperature. At this point, you should drop in a dishwasher tablet and let the water simmer for around 10 minutes.

After this, the water should be cool enough to handle, so you can then rinse out the pan and wipe away any remaining residue with a soft sponge. Finally, wash the pan as you normally would, and you should be left with a sparkling saucepan.

This method is a good last resort for removing stubborn burnt food that might otherwise mean you have to throw the pan away. However, it is not the most environmentally-friendly option, so it is recommended to try other methods first.

Lemon juice and hot water

Step 1: Prepare the lemon and water

Chop up two lemons into eight pieces. Cover the bottom of your pan with the lemon slices. Then, pour in one to two cups of water, ensuring that the scorched bottom of the pan is covered.

Step 2: Boil the lemon and water mixture

Place the pan on the stove and bring the lemon-water mixture to a boil.

Step 3: Let the mixture cool

Once the water has boiled, remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool down.

Step 4: Dump out the mixture and scrub the pan

After the mixture has cooled, dump out the water and lemon slices. Use a kitchen brush to scrub away any remaining grime and crust. Rinse out your pan once you've removed the burnt food particles.

Additional Tips:

The natural acids in lemon juice are great for treating stains in aluminium cookware. You should also rinse out your pan after scrubbing to ensure that no lemon residue remains.

Use a dryer sheet

If you've burnt your porridge and are struggling to clean the pan, a dryer sheet can be a simple solution. This method is especially useful if you're short on time and don't want to spend hours scrubbing away at the burnt pan.

Here's how to use a dryer sheet to clean a burnt pan:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Firstly, remove the pan from the heat and fill it with warm water from the tap. Add a small amount of dish soap to the pan as you fill it with water. Place the pan on a trivet or an empty burner on the stove.

Step 2: Soak the Pan

Add a dryer sheet to the soapy water, ensuring that it is fully submerged. Let the solution sit in the pan for at least an hour. For heavily burnt pans, you may need to let it soak overnight. The dryer sheet will help soften the burnt food, making it easier to remove.

Step 3: Wipe Away the Food

After the soaking period, pour out the solution. The majority of the burnt residue should be loosened and easier to wipe away. Use a non-scratch scouring pad or sponge to clean any remaining problem areas. The burnt food should wipe away without the need for vigorous scrubbing.

Step 4: Final Cleaning

Once all the burnt stains have been removed, give the pan a thorough cleaning as you would normally. It is important to do this final cleaning step because you have used a dryer sheet in the previous step.

Using a dryer sheet to clean a burnt pan is an effective and time-saving method. While you do need to wait for the pan to soak, the level of effort and scrubbing required is significantly reduced.

Frequently asked questions