Salvaging Scorched Pots And Pans

Burnt pots and pans are a common problem with a variety of solutions. The best method for cleaning burnt cookware depends on the type of cookware and the severity of the burn. Non-stick pans, for example, cannot be cleaned with abrasive scrubbers or soaking methods as they can damage the coating. Cast iron pots and pans should also not be exposed to prolonged soaking or harsh scrubbers. For these types of cookware, a paste made from baking soda and water can be applied to the burnt area and scrubbed with a non-abrasive sponge. For all other types of cookware, more heavy-duty methods can be used.

Boiling vinegar and water

First, pour equal parts water and vinegar into the pot or pan until the bottom is covered. Heat the mixture on the stovetop and let it come to a boil. Continue boiling for a minute or two. Turn off the heat and carefully pour the mixture down the sink.

Next, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the empty pot. Avoid adding too much at once, as this will cause the vinegar and baking soda to react and overflow. The baking soda is abrasive and will help to lift any remaining stains. Use a scouring pad to scrub away any lingering burn marks.

Finally, rinse the pot or pan with water to remove any remaining residue. Be careful not to burn yourself with the steam when rinsing the pot or pan. Repeat the process if necessary.

This method may be time-consuming and require some elbow grease, but it is an effective way to remove even badly burned material from your pots and pans.

Soaking with dishwasher detergent

• Start by adding one dishwasher tablet, 1 tablespoon of powdered dishwasher detergent, or 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap to the pot.
• Fill the pot with a few inches of piping-hot water from your faucet and let it soak for at least 30 minutes.
• Use a plastic spatula or wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pot, testing to see if the charred bits of food lift easily from the surface.
• If the burnt-on food comes off easily, pour out the soapy water and scrub off the remaining residue.
• If not, turn up the heat and simmer the water-and-detergent mixture on the stove for about 10 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and let it soak while it cools, then discard the liquid and scrub off any remaining gunk.

It's important to note that the type of detergent you use can affect how successful this method is. Also, remember to wear rubber gloves to avoid irritating your hands while scrubbing.

Using dryer sheets

Burnt pans are no fun, but dryer sheets could be the answer to your pan-scrubbing woes. This laundry staple can rescue your pots and pans from epic kitchen disasters.

First, add a couple of drops of dish soap to your burnt pot or pan. Then, use hot water to cover the burned areas. Finally, add a dryer sheet and submerge it in the water. Let the pan sit for approximately one hour. When you return, the burnt pieces will peel away with minimal scrubbing required. For tougher jobs, you can soak the pan with the dryer sheet overnight.

The conditioners in the dryer sheet help to de-grease your dirtiest dishes and pans. It is likely the conditioning properties of the dryer sheet being released into the water that help to remove the gunk.

Once you’ve gotten rid of the burnt remains, wash your pot or pan with soap and water as you normally would.

Baking soda and lemon

Lemon juice is an effective way to remove burnt-on grime from your pots and pans. The citric acid in lemons is a great natural cleaning agent and can be used in combination with baking soda to restore your cookware.

Firstly, remove as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Next, fill the pan with water and add the juice of a few sliced lemons. Bring the water to a boil and allow the lemons to boil for around five minutes. Turn off the heat and let the pan cool. Once it has cooled, pour out the lemon water and scrub away the burnt debris.

If you want to use the power of lemons and baking soda, simply add a thin layer of water to the bottom of the pan and sprinkle baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste. Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda paste. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda will create a slight fizzing reaction, which is a good sign!

Lemon juice can also be used to clean copper-bottomed pans. 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 of the pan. Rinse the pan thoroughly and dry it with a cloth.

Dishwasher tablets

One method is to cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it on low heat. Then, remove the pan from the heat source and scrape a dishwasher tablet over the burnt areas. Finally, rinse and wash the pan with warm soapy water.

Another method is to fill the pan with a few inches of hot water from the faucet and add one dishwasher tablet. Let the pan soak for at least 30 minutes. Use a plastic spatula or wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pan to see if the burnt food comes off easily. If not, simmer the mixture on the stove for about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it soak until it cools. Finally, discard the liquid and scrub off any remaining residue.

A third method is to fill the pan with enough water to cover the burnt-on area and add a dishwasher tablet. Place the pan on the stove and heat on medium to high heat until the water boils. Allow the solution to boil for two minutes. Remove the pan from the heat source and let the water cool, then scrub with a brush or sponge. Rinse the pan well.

Frequently asked questions