Emilie Meyer
Burnt pans are a common occurrence in any kitchen, and fortunately, there are several effective DIY solutions to restore them to their former glory. While it may seem daunting, you likely already have the necessary items in your kitchen to save your pan without resorting to harsh chemicals or purchasing special equipment. From deglazing with acidic liquids to boiling water and detergent, or even using natural abrasives like aluminium foil or baking soda, there are a variety of strategies to tackle even the most stubborn burnt pans.
How to Save a Burned Pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Check the finish of the pan | Non-stick pans should not be cleaned with abrasive scrubbers or aluminum foil |
| Use of gloves | Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands |
| Deglazing | Add a liquid (wine, beer, spirits, lemon juice, vinegar) to the pan and heat it up. Stir to release the stuck ingredients |
| Boiling water | Pour water into the pan and boil for 10 minutes. Clean the pan with water and washing-up liquid |
| Dishwasher detergent | Pour 200ml of water into the pan, add dishwasher detergent, and boil for 10 minutes. Clean the pan with water and washing-up liquid |
| Vinegar and baking soda | Pour vinegar into the pan, boil, and let it cool. Add baking soda a little at a time. The chemical reaction will cause the mixture to foam |
| Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda | Add 1/2 inch of hydrogen peroxide and 1/4 cup of baking soda to the pan and let it soak for up to 6 hours |
| Aluminum foil | Add warm water and a teaspoon of dish soap to the pan and let it soak for 30 minutes. Scrub the pan with a ball of aluminum foil |
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What You'll Learn
Deglaze with an acidic liquid
Deglazing is a simple and effective method for cleaning a burnt pan. It involves adding a liquid to the pan while it is still hot and then stirring to release any stuck ingredients. This technique is especially useful if you want to incorporate the tasty, stuck-on bits into a sauce or gravy.
To deglaze a burnt pan, first, empty all ingredients and drain excess fats from the cookware. Next, add a deglazing liquid of your choice—an acidic liquid works best. You can use wine, beer, spirits, lemon juice, or white vinegar. Simmer the bottom of the pan with the liquid of your choice and use a wooden spoon or a utensil that won't damage the pan to scrape off any stuck-on food.
You can then use the mixture of deglazed liquid and the tasty, burnt bits to create a sauce or a gravy. However, if you're simply looking to clean the pan and not create a sauce, you can skip this step.
If deglazing with an acidic liquid doesn't completely clean your pan, you can try a more intensive method afterward, such as using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, or vinegar and baking soda.
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Use dishwasher detergent
If your burnt pan is covered in stuck-on, baked-on, burnt-on food, don't panic. Dishwasher detergent is a great way to save your pan and restore it to its former glory. Dishwasher detergent is stronger than ordinary washing-up detergent and is designed to dissolve food residue that ordinary washing-up liquid can't.
To use dishwasher detergent to clean your burnt pan, start by filling your pan with approximately 200ml of water. Next, add the dishwasher detergent and place the pan on the stove to boil. Once the water is boiling, remove the pan from the heat. Take a dishwasher tablet and, wearing gloves, use it to scrub the burnt areas of the pan. The burnt-on food should come off immediately. You can rub in small circles until the tablet starts to dissolve. There is no need to use a sponge or scourer as the tablet works as both the detergent and scouring pad.
Dishwasher tablets are packed with enzymes that break down starch and proteins in food. This is why they are so effective at cleaning burnt pans. While this method may use more dishwasher tablets than you would usually use for one item, it is so effective that it is worth the expense.
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Vinegar and baking soda
Baking soda is a popular option for cleaning burnt pots and pans because it has mildly abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralize acidic burnt foods. When combined with an acid like vinegar, the two create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food, making it easier to scrub off.
To clean a burnt pan with vinegar and baking soda, start by filling your pan with enough warm water to cover the burnt areas. Next, add a cup of vinegar and stir. Then, add half a cup of baking soda and stir again. Leave the mixture for about half an hour or until the fizzing reaction stops.
Afterward, discard the liquid and use a sponge or scouring pad to scrub away any remaining burnt-on bits. If there are still spots, make a paste with baking soda and a small amount of water, apply it to the affected areas, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.
You can also try this method with white vinegar and aluminium foil. First, scrub a cleaning agent like baking soda into the burnt area using a ball of aluminium foil. Then, add equal parts water and vinegar to the pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Finally, scrub the pan again with the foil and rinse as usual.
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Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
If your pan is severely burnt, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can be used to clean it. This method is not recommended for cast ironware.
Firstly, remove any food from the pan and clean it as you normally would. Deglazing is a great first step. To deglaze, add a liquid of your choice to the pan while it is still hot and stir to release any stuck ingredients. You can then use this mixture to add flavour to a sauce or dressing.
Next, pour about half an inch of hydrogen peroxide into the bottom of the pan. Then, add about a quarter of a cup of baking soda. There will likely be some fizzing. You can either heat this mixture until it simmers and then turn off the heat, or you can let it soak for up to six hours. Pieces of the burnt material may lift on their own, but you may need to scrub the pan to get the rest off.
Alternatively, you can make a paste from the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and spread it over the stained areas. The baking soda will help to hold the hydrogen peroxide in place over the stains.
After cleaning, wash the pan with normal water and washing-up detergent.
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Aluminium foil scrubber
If your pan is burnt, you can use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to clean it. First, pour enough vinegar into the pot to cover all the burnt material. Bring it to a boil and let it boil for a minute or two. Turn off the heat and let the vinegar cool down. Once it has cooled, carefully add a few tablespoons of baking soda a little at a time. The chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda will cause the liquid to foam. After about 10 minutes, the foam will calm down. Now, manually pry or scrape off any remaining burnt bits.
Now, for the aluminium foil scrubber method: First, rinse your dirty pot in hot water and drain. Then, sprinkle generously with 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda and add a bit of water to make a paste. Next, crumple up some aluminium foil and use it to scrub the pan until all food bits and stained areas are clean. Finally, rinse the pan with warm, soapy water.
This method is very abrasive and should not be used on non-stick pans or seasoned cast iron pans. However, it is a great way to put extra pieces of aluminium foil to good use.
You can also try other methods to clean a burnt pan, such as using dishwasher detergent, deglazing with an acidic liquid, or using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several methods to save a burned pan, but most involve a combination of soaking, boiling, and scrubbing. First, check the finish of your pan and avoid using abrasive scrubbers on non-stick pans. Then, try one of the following methods:
- Soak the pan in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda
- Boil water, dishwasher detergent, and/or vinegar in the pan, then scrub
- Deglaze the pan by adding a liquid and stirring to release stuck ingredients
Yes, vinegar is an effective and inexpensive way to clean a burned pan. Simply pour enough vinegar into the pan to cover the burned material, bring it to a boil for a minute or two, and then let it cool. Once it has cooled, carefully add a few tablespoons of baking soda to neutralize the acidic burnt food and cause the liquid to foam.
You can use a variety of liquids to deglaze your pan, including wine, beer, spirits, lemon juice, vinegar, ketchup, or BBQ sauce.
If you have a non-stick pan, avoid using abrasive scrubbers or the aluminum foil hack, as they can scratch the coating. Instead, try using a wooden spoon or spatula, or a sponge for more gentle scrubbing. You can also wear rubber gloves to avoid irritating your hands.
For severely burned pans, you can try using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Add about 1/2 inch of hydrogen peroxide and 1/4 cup of baking soda to the pan, let it soak for up to six hours, and then scrub. This method works well on stainless steel but is not recommended for cast ironware.
