Erase Pan Stains With Baking Soda: A Quick Guide

Burnt pans are a common problem, but they can be cleaned with baking soda, an inexpensive, non-toxic household ingredient. Baking soda has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralise acidic burnt foods. It can also combine with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, to create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food. This article will explore different methods for removing stains from the bottom of pans using baking soda.

Removing Pan Bottom Stains with Baking Soda

Using baking soda and vinegar to clean pan bottoms

Baking soda is a versatile, natural, non-toxic, and inexpensive cleaner with mild abrasive properties that can be used to clean pan bottoms. When combined with an acid like vinegar, it creates a fizzing reaction that helps to loosen burnt food and remove stains. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use baking soda and vinegar to clean pan bottoms effectively:

Step 1: Remove Burnt Food and Debris

Start by scraping off as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Use a spatula or scraper to loosen and remove the burnt residue. This step is crucial as it makes the cleaning process easier and more effective.

Step 2: Boil Water and Vinegar

Fill the pan with water, ensuring it covers the bottom of the pan by about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Bring the water to a boil. Then, pour in 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar. You can also use apple cider vinegar if you don't have white vinegar available. The vinegar will help neutralise odours and start loosening any baked-on food residue.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Keep the pan in the sink to avoid any messy overflows. Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of baking soda to the pan. The baking soda and vinegar will begin to bubble and fizz as they react with each other. This chemical reaction is what helps to break down the burnt food and stains.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Allow the mixture to fizz and work its magic for a few minutes. During this time, the pan will also cool down, making it safer to handle. The fizzing action of the vinegar and baking soda will help lift and loosen any caked-on food residue, making it easier to scrub away.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

Using the scouring side of a sponge or a nylon brush, scrub the inside of the pan vigorously, focusing on the stained or scorched areas. You will be surprised at how effectively this combination removes even the most stubborn grime! Remember to avoid using steel wool or abrasive pads on non-stick or Teflon pans, as they can damage the coating.

Step 6: Rinse and Wash

Once you have finished scrubbing, empty the pan and rinse it with hot water. Then, wash the pan with dish soap and a clean sponge or scrubber. Finally, dry the pan thoroughly with a clean dish towel.

Additional Tips:

• For heavier duty cleaning, especially for burnt stainless steel or aluminium pans, you can use the "Deglazing Technique." Heat the empty pan until a droplet of water sizzles, then add 1 cup of water or a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar. Use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the pan, loosening burnt food. Pour out the liquid, sprinkle the pan with baking soda, and scrub as usual.
• For lighter cleaning or to maintain your pans regularly, you can simply make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the pan, let it sit for a few hours or overnight, and then scrub and rinse as usual.

Removing burnt food from stainless steel or aluminium pans

Burnt food in a stainless steel or aluminium pan can be a pain to remove, but it's not impossible. Here are some methods to try:

The Deglazing Technique

This technique is similar to deglazing a pan to make a sauce or gravy. First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, put the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles when added to the pan. Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of 1/2 cup each of water and white vinegar to the hot pan and let it boil. As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the burnt food. Pour the liquid down the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan. Sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda and let the pan cool. Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously. Finally, wash and dry the pan as you normally would.

The Baking Soda and Water Method

First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water—you can adjust the amount as needed to cover the burnt portion of the pan. Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan, ensuring the entire burnt area is covered. Alternatively, you can cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then add enough baking soda to create a paste. Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight. If you want to speed up the process, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then place the pan on the stove and heat it until it comes to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool before wiping or scrubbing to remove the burnt food.

The Baking Soda and Vinegar Method

For heavier-duty cleaning, you can combine baking soda with white vinegar. First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid. Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda—you will see a fizzing reaction. Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing to stop. Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if needed. Finally, rinse and dry the pan.

The Baking Soda and Lemon Method

Lemons are great for cleaning and shining stainless steel or copper cookware. First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Keep a thin layer of water in the pan and sprinkle the bottom liberally with baking soda. Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda and water mixture. The combination of acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda will create a slight fizzing reaction, which is normal. If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to remove the stains and restore the shine.

Cleaning a non-stick or ceramic pan

Non-stick pans are a popular option for those looking for easy cleanup or a stick-free cooking surface. However, even non-stick cookware has its limits, and no cookware is immune to burnt-on messes. Here are some methods to clean a burnt non-stick pan and return it to its former glory:

Method One: Soap and Water

• Soak the pan in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen any dried-out food.
• After soaking, add dish soap to both your dish sponge and the pan.
• Using the rough side of the sponge, scrub the burnt areas of the pan.
• Avoid using anything more abrasive, like steel wool or heavy-duty scrubbing brushes, as these can scratch and damage the coating on your pan.

Method Two: Vinegar and Baking Soda

• Create a mixture of white vinegar, water, and baking soda directly in your non-stick pan.
• Pour enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, along with 2 tablespoons each of white vinegar and baking soda.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and stir to dissolve using a silicone or wooden spoon. Continue stirring for 5 minutes to encourage any burnt residue to loosen.
• Allow the mixture to cool completely, then discard the vinegar solution and rinse the pan with warm water.

If you're dealing with a ceramic pan, follow these steps:

• Soak the pan in warm, soapy water for 30 minutes. Use a grease-busting dish soap.
• Remove the pan from the soapy water and sprinkle baking soda over the pan.
• Scrub away food residue and stains using a sponge.
• For stubborn stains, create a paste by adding a small amount of white distilled vinegar to the baking soda.
• For persistent stains, sprinkle the pan with baking soda and add 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub away the residue with a sponge or brush.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid using metal utensils with non-stick pans as they can scrape off the coating.
• Always allow your pans to cool before washing them; hot pans can warp if submerged or splashed with cold water.
• Thoroughly dry your pans immediately after cleaning to prevent water spots and dried, white calcium spots.

Removing burnt food from a cast iron skillet

• Start by removing as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Use a non-abrasive sponge, a stiff-bristled nylon brush, or a scraper (as long as it's non-metallic). You don't want to use anything metallic as it will remove the skillet's seasoning.
• Next, you'll want to use a combination of baking soda and water to create a paste. The ratio should be 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Apply this paste liberally to the bottom of the pan. You want it to be thick enough to fully coat the burnt areas.
• If you don't want to make a paste, you can simply sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the base of your skillet. Then, use a paper towel or soft scrub brush to scrub out the burnt food. Rinse the skillet with water to remove any leftover baking soda.
• Another method is to fill your skillet with about an inch of water and place it over high heat. Let the water boil for around 10 minutes. You can then use a wooden or plastic utensil to gently nudge and scrape away the burnt food.
• Once you've removed the burnt food, it's important to dry the skillet completely. You can do this by placing it on the stove over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes or putting it in the oven at 350 °F (177 °C) for an hour.
• After drying, apply a thin coat of oil to the skillet. Vegetable oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and avocado oil are all good options. This will help protect the skillet from rusting and will also help restore its non-stick surface.
• To finish up, place the skillet in the oven at a minimum of 350 °F (180 °C) for about an hour. This process, called polymerization, will create a solid layer on the skillet's surface, enhancing its non-stick properties and protecting against rust.

Remember to avoid using soap, metal utensils, or abrasive cleaning pads on your cast iron skillet, as these can damage the seasoning. With proper care and maintenance, your cast iron skillet can last for generations!

Removing burnt food from copper-bottomed pans

Burnt food on copper-bottomed pans can be a challenge to remove, but it's not impossible. Here are some detailed methods to help you remove those stubborn burnt marks and restore your copper pans to their former glory:

Baking Soda and Vinegar Method:

• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Boil a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar in the pan to loosen the burnt-on food.
• Remove the pan from the heat, carefully pour out the liquid, and add baking soda.
• When the pan is cool enough to handle, add more baking soda and scrub with a nylon brush or non-abrasive sponge.
• Rinse the pan and repeat the process if necessary.

Baking Soda and Lemon Method:

• Remove as much burnt food as possible from the pan.
• Cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of water and sprinkle baking soda over it to create a paste.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scrub the pan, combining it with the baking soda paste. The lemon juice and baking soda will react and fizz slightly, which is a good sign!
• Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly.

Deglazing Technique:

• Remove as much burnt food and debris as you can from the pan.
• Place the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles when dropped onto the surface.
• Add a cup of water or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to the hot pan and let it boil.
• Use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the burnt food.
• Pour out the liquid and sprinkle the bottom of the pan with baking soda. Let the pan cool.
• Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pan vigorously.
• Wash and dry the pan as usual once all the stains and scorch marks are gone.

Baking Soda and Water Method:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, enough to cover the burnt portion of the pan.
• Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then add enough baking soda to create a paste.
• Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight. If you're in a hurry, add a little more water to thin the paste, then boil the pan briefly before removing it from the heat.
• Scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. If necessary, add more baking soda for extra scrubbing power.

Tomato Ketchup and Vinegar Paste Method:

• Remove as much burnt food as possible from the pan.
• Pour some dish soap onto the burnt bottom of the pan and fill it with hot water.
• Allow the pan to soak, then scrub away the loosened burnt food with a soft scrubber. Avoid using steel wool or other abrasive scrubbers, as these can damage the non-stick coating.
• If there are still stubborn burnt bits, let the pan soak overnight to soften them.
• After soaking, scrub away the softened particles and rinse the pan with hot water. Dry the pan with a soft cloth.
• Turn the pan upside down and spread tomato ketchup over the burnt area. Let the ketchup sit for at least an hour so that the acid can break down the burnt spots.
• Rinse off the ketchup with hot water and scrub the surface with a gentle scrubber or scouring pad.
• Wipe the pan with a dry cloth.
• Mix vinegar, white flour, and table salt in a bowl to create a thick paste. Spread this paste onto the burnt pan and let it dry.
• Wipe off the excess paste with a clean cloth, then rinse the pan with hot water.

Salted Lemon Method:

• Cut a lemon in half and dip it in table salt, ensuring the entire cut surface is covered.
• Rub the salted lemon over any remaining burnt spots or stains.
• Use a dish scrubber to work the salt and lemon juice into the burnt areas.
• Rinse the pan with hot water to remove the lemon scrub and any remaining marks.
• Dry the pan with a clean cloth.

Remember to always allow your pans to cool before handling them and never use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on non-stick surfaces. With these methods, you can effectively remove burnt food from your copper-bottomed pans and keep them in good condition.

Frequently asked questions