Erase Grease: Pots And Pans

Grease is a pain to remove from pots and pans, but it's not impossible. There are several methods you can try, depending on the type of pan you're cleaning and the extent of the grease. Here are some options:

- Boil water and dish detergent in the pan to soften the grease, then scrub with a scouring pad.

- Create a paste with baking soda and vinegar, apply it to the pan, let it sit, then scrub.

- Use a combination of salt, vinegar, and dish soap to scrub away grease.

- Soak the pan in vinegar, then scrub with salt and dish soap.

- Apply oven cleaner to the pan, let it sit, then scrub.

- Use a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend to scrub away grease.

- Soak the pan in ammonia, then scrub.

- Use a combination of dish soap, borax, and hot water.

Soak in hot water

Soaking your pots and pans in hot water is a great way to loosen baked-on, caked-on food and grease. It's important to act fast and soak your dishes as soon as possible after cooking, but if you've missed the window, don't worry—you can still add hot water later and let your pots and pans soak overnight.

For scorched, blackened stainless steel pans and burnt-on foods, add water to your pan and bring to a boil for 5-7 minutes. The steam will help to loosen any food or grease stuck to the sides of the pan. After the food loosens and easily comes off the pan, pour out the hot water and wipe away any remaining food with the scrubby part of a sponge.

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

If you're dealing with deep grease stains, fill your sink with enough hot water to fully submerge the bottom of the pan. You can also add distilled white vinegar to the water to help break down the grease. Leave your pans to soak for an hour or so, then use a scrubbing pad, a toothbrush, and some dish soap to remove the softened grease.

For an extra boost of cleaning power, you can also make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it to the bottom of the pan before scrubbing.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a non-toxic, inexpensive household ingredient with mild abrasive properties that can be used to eliminate burned-on food and tough stains on all pans—non-stick, stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron.

Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Dish Soap

Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a thick paste. Add a few drops of dish soap (Blue Dawn is recommended). Using a scrubbing pad, apply the paste to the bottom of the pan in a circular motion. Let the paste dry for 30 minutes to an hour, then scrub the pan with the scrubbing pad and a toothbrush. Rinse with warm water.

Baking Soda and Water

Cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of water. Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste. Let the pan sit for several hours, then rinse and wash.

Boiling Water and Baking Soda

For tougher stains, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of water to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. As the water evaporates, scrub off the film of baking soda and food residue with a scrubby sponge or kitchen scrub brush.

Submerge Pan in Boiling Baking Soda Solution

Fill a large pot with water and add the stained pan, submerging it completely. Bring the water to a boil and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda. Reduce the heat to a gentle boil and let it boil for 15 to 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the boiling solution while it's still hot and scrub away any lingering stains.

Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Salt

Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with generous amounts of baking soda and sea salt, focusing on the stained areas. Spritz some vinegar on the baking soda and let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes. Use a scouring pad to scrub away the grease and rinse the pan before storing.

Baking Soda and Vinegar for Copper Bottoms

Turn the pan upside down and sprinkle baking soda over the copper bottom. Pour vinegar over the bottom of the pan and use a half lemon as a "scrub brush" to scrub the bottom and sides of the pan. Rinse the pan thoroughly and dry it with a cloth.

Use vinegar

Vinegar is a great natural way to get rid of grease from your pots and pans. Here are some methods you can try:

Soak in Vinegar

If your pans have a light brown colour, you can remove the grease through the acid in vinegar. This method is effective for most types of frying pans. Simply pour straight vinegar into the bottom of your sink—enough to submerge the pan's bottom fully. Leave it to soak for about an hour. Then, use a scrubbing pad, toothbrush, and some dish soap to remove the softened grease.

Salt and Vinegar

For a more abrasive approach, you can combine salt with vinegar. Prepare white vinegar to soak the pan for an hour. Place salt on the bottom of the pan. Put a small amount of dish soap on the scrubbing pad and vigorously scrub the pan's bottom, adding more salt and dish soap as needed. Note that salt has a coarse texture, which could scratch some pans' finishes.

Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Salt

For deep grease removal from your stainless-steel pans, combine vinegar, salt, and baking soda. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda and sea salt on the bottom of your frying pan, focusing on the stained areas. Spritz some vinegar on the baking soda. Let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes, then use a scouring pad to scrub away the grease. Rinse everything off and dry before storing.

Vinegar in Hot Soapy Water

If you're looking for a quick boost to your regular dishwashing routine, add a splash of vinegar to your hot soapy water. Vinegar will help cut through the grease. For extra grease-cutting power, use a blue dish detergent, such as Dawn.

Use salt

Salt is a great option for removing grease from your pots and pans. It is coarse and abrasive, so it works well to scrub away burnt-on grease. However, because of its texture, it could scratch the finish on some pans, so it's best to use it only on stainless steel or cast-iron pans.

Step 1: Soak the Pan in Vinegar

First, fill your sink with enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan. Soak the pan in the vinegar for about an hour. Vinegar is an acid that will help to soften the burnt-on grease, making it easier to remove.

Step 2: Apply Salt and Dish Soap

After the pan has soaked, pour a generous amount of salt onto the bottom of the pan. You can use regular table salt or sea salt for this purpose. Also, add a small amount of dish soap to a scrubbing pad or sponge. Blue Dawn is a recommended brand for cutting through grease.

Step 3: Scrub Vigorously

Now, it's time to scrub! Use the scrubbing pad or sponge to vigorously scrub the bottom of the pan. The salt will act as an abrasive to help remove the burnt-on grease. Be sure to scrub in the direction of the grain of the metal to avoid scratching the pan.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Once you have removed the grease, rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining salt and dish soap. Finally, dry the pan completely before storing it.

Tips for Preventing Burnt-On Grease:

• Soak cookware before washing to soften dried food bits and make them easier to remove.
• Use parchment paper or a non-stick baking sheet when cooking or baking, even on non-stick cookware.
• Clean your pans after each use, and don't wait for food stains to stick.
• Season your cast iron and stainless steel pans to create a non-stick surface that prevents burnt-on grease.

Use oven cleaner

Removing grease from pots and pans can be a challenging task, especially if food debris has been left to accumulate over time. One effective method to remove burnt-on grease is to use an oven cleaner. While this may not be a popular technique, it is a tried-and-tested method that is safe to use on your cookware. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use oven cleaner to remove grease from your pots and pans:

Step 1: Prepare the Oven Cleaner

Purchase a commercial oven cleaner from a reputable brand, such as Cif. These products are designed to work effectively on removing burnt-on food and tough grease from ovens and pans. Follow the directions on the label, and take any necessary safety precautions before using the product.

Step 2: Apply the Oven Cleaner to the Pots and Pans

Spread the oven cleaner generously on the bottom and sides of the pots and pans. Make sure to coat any areas with burnt-on grease completely. You can use a sponge or a brush to apply the oven cleaner evenly.

Step 3: Let the Oven Cleaner Sit

Allow the oven cleaner to sit on the cookware for a few hours. For best results, it is recommended to let it sit overnight. This gives the cleaner enough time to penetrate and break down the grease, making it easier to remove.

Step 4: Scrub the Pots and Pans

After the oven cleaner has had sufficient time to work, it's time to scrub the pots and pans. Use a scrubbing pad, sponge, or brush to scrub away the grease. You may need to apply some elbow grease and scrub vigorously, especially in areas with caked-on grease.

Step 5: Rinse and Wash the Pots and Pans

Once you have removed the majority of the grease, rinse the pots and pans with hot soapy water. This step is important to remove any residual oven cleaner and grease from the cookware. Wash the pots and pans as you normally would, ensuring they are thoroughly cleaned.

Tips for Using Oven Cleaner:

• Oven cleaner works best on ceramic and non-stick cookware. If you have aluminium or other types of pots and pans, test the oven cleaner on a small area first to ensure it doesn't cause any damage.
• Always follow the safety instructions on the oven cleaner packaging. Some products may require additional safety precautions, such as wearing gloves or working in a well-ventilated area.
• For extremely burnt-on grease, you may need to repeat the process or let the oven cleaner sit for a longer period.

Frequently asked questions