Effective Ways To Remove Stubborn Burn Stains From Pans

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in the kitchen, but there are several ways to tackle this issue. One method is to fill the pan with water and bring it to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it sit until the burnt residue loosens and floats away. For non-reactive metal pans, adding lemon quarters to the water can help speed up this process. Another natural approach is to make a paste with water and baking soda, then use a ball of aluminium foil to scrub away the stains. For cast-iron pans, coarse salt and a few drops of warm water can be used to scrub away burnt food without damaging the pan. For more stubborn messes, dishwasher tablets, vinegar, or even dryer sheets can be used to help loosen burnt food.

Baking soda and vinegar

Step 1: Remove Food and Debris

Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar

Next, fill your pan with enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid. Put the pan on the stove and bring the vinegar to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. This will cause a fizzing reaction. It might be best to do this in the sink.

Step 4: Soak

Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling dies down.

Step 5: Scrub

Once the fizzing has stopped, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the pan clean and dry it.

Dishwasher tablets

To clean a burnt pan with a dishwasher tablet, first, cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and heat it on low heat. Remove the pan from the heat source and use the dishwasher tablet to scrub the burnt areas in small circles. The burnt-on food should come off immediately. Rinse the pan with warm, soapy water and wash as normal.

This method is not suitable for non-stick or cast-iron pans.

Lemon and baking soda

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan, then 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 slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly, which is a good sign!
• If your pan has a copper bottom that has gotten blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to help remove the stains and restore the shine.
• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Cover the bottom of the pan with baking soda. Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of water until it is moist but not a liquid. You want the consistency of a sandy paste.
• Scrub the pan with a stiff-bristle brush or scouring pad. Do not add soap. The baking soda is a mild abrasive that will help remove stubborn burnt-on food, and its alkalinity will help neutralise odours or flavours that may have been cooked into the pan.
• Rinse and repeat if necessary to remove any remaining burnt food. The more you scrub, the more of the good seasoning you will remove, so don't overdo it.
• Fully dry the cast iron pan and then rub with vegetable oil applied to a paper towel. Coat the bottom of the pan and up the sides.
• Place the pan on a stove burner and heat over medium-low heat for about an hour, or place it in your oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for the same amount of time. The pan may smoke as it seasons, so turn on your vent hood to prevent setting off your smoke detectors.

Dryer sheets

If you've burnt your dinner and are left with a crusty mess fused to the bottom of your pan, don't despair! There's a cheap, easy solution that will save you from scrubbing: dryer sheets.

Here's what you do:

• Put a few drops of dish soap in the pan.
• Add a few inches of hot water.
• Add a dryer sheet or two to the water (push it down so it's completely underneath the water).
• Let the pan sit for an hour or, for extremely burnt-on food, leave it overnight.
• Rinse the pan. The burnt bits should come right off! If not, use the dryer sheet to scrub the pan.
• Wash the pan with soap and water as usual.

This method works thanks to the conditioning properties of the dryer sheet. It's a good idea to wash the pan again with soap and water after cleaning it with the dryer sheet.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of the pan. Then, sprinkle the powder onto the surface and rub it in with a soft, wet cloth. For tougher stains, create a paste with the powder and a small amount of water, and leave it on the stain for about a minute before washing, rinsing, and drying the pan.

Frequently asked questions