Removing Grime From Pans: Easy And Effective Tricks

Cleaning burnt pans can be a tedious task, but there are several methods to help remove grime and restore shine. One popular method involves using baking soda, an alkaline substance that reacts with mild acids like vinegar, lemon, or hydrogen peroxide to create a foaming cleaner that effectively removes stains and burnt-on food. Another option is to use vinegar, which can be poured into the pan and boiled to loosen the grime. For more challenging cases, a combination of vinegar, salt, and baking soda can be applied, followed by scrubbing. Additionally, Bar Keepers Friend, a powdered cleaner, has been found to be highly effective in removing tough stains, especially when paired with aluminum foil.

Baking soda and water

Step 1: Create a Baking Soda and Water Solution

Mix baking soda and water in your pan to form a thin paste. The exact measurements may vary depending on the size of your pan, but generally, you can start by covering the bottom of the pan with water and then sprinkling baking soda liberally over it. You can also try boiling a solution of 4 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/2 cup of water in the pan, especially for removing stubborn stains on non-stick pans.

Step 2: Let it Sit

Allow the baking soda and water paste to sit for several hours or even overnight. This gives the solution time to work on breaking down the grime and stains. The longer you let it sit, the more effective it will be, especially for tougher stains.

Step 3: Scrub the Pan

After the solution has had time to work, use a nonstick-safe nylon scrubbing brush, a scouring pad, or the scrubby side of a sponge to scrub the pan. Gently scrub off the crusty food, burnt-on grease, or oil. For more delicate pans, such as ceramic, avoid using a scouring pad as it may scratch the surface. You can also use a stiff-bristle brush or scouring pad for cast iron pans. If necessary, repeat the process until the grime is removed.

Step 4: Rinse and Wash

Once you have finished scrubbing, thoroughly rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining baking soda and grime. Then, wash the pan with mild dish soap and warm water to ensure it is completely clean.

Tips:

• For tougher stains, you can try boiling the baking soda and water solution in the pan before scrubbing. Bring the mixture to a boil and then scrub off the film of baking soda and food residue with a brush or sponge.
• For extremely stubborn stains, you can submerge the entire pan in a boiling solution of baking soda and water. Fill a large pot with water, add the stained pan, and bring it to a boil. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda and continue boiling for 15 to 30 minutes. The brown residue should start to flake off. Remove the pan while it is still hot, and scrub away any remaining stains.
• Always dry your pans immediately after cleaning them to prevent water spots and calcium buildup.

Vinegar and baking soda

To remove grime from pans with vinegar and baking soda, you can try the following methods:

Method 1:

• Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar to the pan and bring it to a boil.
• Turn off the heat and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
• Discard the liquid and wash the pan with a scouring pad.
• If there are still stuck-on pieces, create a paste by mixing baking soda and water, applying it to the pan, and letting it sit for a few minutes before washing again.

Method 2:

• Plug your sink and fill it with hot water.
• Add 1/2 cup each of baking soda and vinegar to the water.
• Submerge your dirty pans in the solution and let them soak for 30-60 minutes.
• Scrub off the grime with a scouring pad, the rough side of a scrubby sponge, or steel wool.
• Wash the pans with dish soap and warm water, then dry.

Method 3:

• Sprinkle baking soda and sea salt on the bottom of your pan, focusing on the stained areas.
• Spritz some vinegar onto the baking soda and salt.
• Let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes.
• Use a scouring pad to scrub the grease and stains with this combo.

Method 4:

• Add water to your pan to cover the bottom and bring it to a boil.
• Transfer the pan to the sink without dumping out the water.
• Add 1 cup of white vinegar.
• Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and let the pan sit for a few minutes.
• Scrub the pan with a sponge and wash it with soap and water.

Note: Avoid using baking soda or other abrasives on non-stick, Teflon, or anodized aluminum pans as it can cause scratches.

Bleach cleansing powder and hot water

Firstly, fill your pan with hot water. The water level should be slightly above half of the pan's volume to ensure the sides of the pan are also exposed to the cleaning solution. Then, add your bleach cleansing powder. You can use products such as Ajax, Comet, or Bon Ami. Be generous with the amount of powder you add—a liberal sprinkle should suffice. Use a utensil like a steel spoon to stir the mixture a few times and ensure the powder is well combined with the water.

The next step is to let the pan rest. Leave the pan untouched for about 30 minutes to allow the solution to break down the grease and grime. This method is quite effective, so you won't need to scrub the pan vigorously later. After letting the pan rest, the gunk will be ready to come off.

Finally, scrub and rinse the pan. Use a sponge and some liquid dish soap to clean the pan. It should be squeaky clean after a minute or so of gentle scrubbing. Give the pan a final rinse with clean water. If your pan still has some residue, you can repeat the entire process, ensuring you add enough bleach cleansing powder in the first step. Remember to wear gloves during this process to protect your skin from the bleach powder. After rinsing, dry the pan with a paper towel.

Your pan will now be clean and ready to use!

Oven cleaner

• Spread oven cleaner on the bottom of the pan. Make sure to coat the entire surface of the pan generously.
• Let the oven cleaner sit for a few hours. For best results, it is recommended to leave it overnight. This will give the cleaner enough time to break down the burnt-on grease and grime.
• After letting the cleaner sit, use a scrubbing pad to scrub the bottom of the pan vigorously. This will help remove the loosened grease and grime.
• Finally, clean the pan in hot soapy water to remove any residual oven cleaner. This step is important to ensure that all the chemicals from the oven cleaner are washed away before using the pan again.

While oven cleaner is an effective method, it is important to note that it contains strong chemicals. Therefore, it is recommended to wear gloves and a face mask while using oven cleaner. Additionally, make sure to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the product label for safe and proper usage.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend, first, wet the surface of the pan. Then, sprinkle the powder onto the pan and add a little more water to make a paste. Using a soft cloth or sponge, rub the paste in a circular motion, and then rinse. For very dirty pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge. It is important to note that you should not leave the product on the pan for longer than one minute, and you should always wear gloves when handling the powder.

Frequently asked questions