Stained Cookware: Why It Happens

Burnt food, scorch marks, grease splatters, and gunk can quickly build up on the bottom of pots and pans, leaving them discoloured and stained. Luckily, there are several methods to restore your cookware to its former glory.

Using baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda is a versatile, non-toxic, and inexpensive household cleaner with mild abrasive properties that can help remove tough stains and eliminate lingering food odours. When combined with vinegar, it can be used to clean discoloured pots and pans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Remove Food Debris

Start by scraping off as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. You can use a spatula or scraper for this.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar

Next, fill the bottom of your pot or pan with white vinegar. Ensure there is at least half an inch of liquid covering the bottom of the pan. Then, place the pan on the stove and bring the vinegar to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Once the vinegar is boiling, remove the pan from the heat and add baking soda. Add about one cup of baking soda, or enough to cover the bottom of the pan. You will see a fizzing reaction as the alkaline baking soda combines with the acidic vinegar. This reaction helps to loosen burnt-on food.

Step 4: Wait

Set the pot aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop. This may take a few minutes. Performing this step in the sink is recommended to avoid any potential mess.

Step 5: Scrub

Once the reaction has stopped, discard the liquid and scrub the pan. Use a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, and add more baking soda as needed to help with the process.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

After scrubbing, rinse the pan with clean water and dry it with a cloth or towel. Ensure that you dry the pan thoroughly, especially if it is made of stainless steel, to prevent water spots and white calcium build-up.

Additional Tips:

• For more heavy-duty cleaning, you can add salt to the process. Sprinkle salt onto the burnt pot, add vinegar until the bottom is covered, and bring it to a boil. Then, turn the heat to low and add the baking soda.
• If your pan has a copper bottom, you can use the baking soda and vinegar solution to restore its shine. Turn the pan upside down, sprinkle baking soda over the copper bottom, and pour vinegar over it. Cut a lemon in half and use it as a scrub brush to clean the bottom of the pan.
• For non-stick or ceramic pans, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, then sprinkle with baking soda to create a paste. Let the mixture sit for several hours or overnight, then scrub with warm water and a non-stick-safe sponge or nylon brush.

Boiling water method

The boiling water method is a simple and effective way to clean discoloured pots and pans. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Scrub Away Food Residue

Begin by scrubbing away as much food residue as possible from the pan using a non-abrasive scrubber. This will help to loosen any stuck-on food and make the cleaning process more effective.

Step 2: Add Water and Soap

Fill the discoloured pan with water and a bit of dish soap. Ensure that the water level is high enough to completely submerge the stuck-on food and discoloured areas.

Step 3: Bring to a Boil

Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes. The heat from the boiling water will help to loosen and lift the discolouration and any leftover food residue.

Step 4: Remove from Heat and Cool

Once the water has boiled for a few minutes, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool down. This is an important step, as handling a hot pan can be dangerous.

Step 5: Scrape and Scrub

After the pan has cooled, use a spatula or a non-abrasive scrubber to scrape and scrub away any remaining food residue and discolouration. The boiling water should have loosened the stuck-on food, making it easier to remove.

Step 6: Repeat if Necessary

If there is still discolouration or stubborn residue, repeat the above steps as needed. This method may need to be repeated a few times for heavily discoloured or burnt pans.

Additional Tips:

• For glass or metal baking dishes, you can add boiling water and let it sit for several minutes before scrubbing away residue with the scrubby side of a sponge.
• To accelerate the cleaning process, add a dash of baking soda or vinegar to the water during the boiling process. These ingredients will enhance the cleaning power of the boiling water.
• Always use non-abrasive tools and sponges when cleaning to avoid scratching the surface of your pots and pans.

Bar Keeper's Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used to clean discoloured pots and pans. It can be used on stainless steel, copper, cast iron, glass, and ceramic dishes, among other materials.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, wet the surface of the pan, then scrub. The product doesn't work up a lather, so scrub with the faucet off, using just the moisture on the surface of the pan to turn the powder into a paste. If necessary, add a small amount of water to hydrate the powder. For very stained or greasy pans, scrub with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge or cloth.

Bar Keepers Friend should not be left on the surface for longer than a minute, but you can scrub for longer. It is recommended that you wear kitchen gloves when using this product, as it can be abrasive.

Bar Keepers Friend can also be used to clean tiles, imitation marble, chrome, porcelain, and copper. It can remove rust spots, and is safe to use on both copper and steel pans.

Ketchup

To use ketchup to clean the bottom of your pans, spread a thin layer of ketchup onto the affected area and leave it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Then, scrub the pan with a cloth or sponge and rinse it clean. You can also use lemon juice and salt to get the same result.

Hydrogen peroxide

• Take a suitable container, such as a tub or a sink, and fill it with an appropriate amount of water.
• Add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the water. You can adjust the amount of hydrogen peroxide depending on the severity of the discoloration.
• Soak the discolored pots and pans in the solution for about 10 minutes. Ensure that the stained areas are completely submerged in the solution.
• After soaking, wash the cookware using soap and water. You can use a soft sponge or cloth to gently scrub the cookware if needed.
• If there are still some stubborn stains, you can reapply the hydrogen peroxide solution and let it sit for a longer period before scrubbing it away.

Additionally, you can combine hydrogen peroxide with other ingredients for a more powerful cleaning solution. One option is to mix hydrogen peroxide with dish soap. Follow these steps:

• Drench the pot or pan with a cup of hydrogen peroxide.
• Add 3-5 drops of dish soap to the hydrogen peroxide.
• Place the pot or pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
• Once it starts foaming, turn off the heat and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
• Scour the cookware with a soft sponge and wash it as usual.

Another option is to create a paste by mixing hydrogen peroxide with baking soda. Here's how:

• Combine hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to form a paste.
• Apply the paste generously to the discolored areas of the pots and pans.
• Let the paste sit for about 20-30 minutes. The baking soda will help keep the hydrogen peroxide in place over the stains.
• Scrub the paste off using a sponge, rag, or paper towel. For more stubborn stains, you can use a copper or metal scrubber.
• If some stains persist, reapply the paste and let it sit longer before scrubbing again.

By following these methods, you can effectively remove discoloration and restore the appearance of your pots and pans.

Frequently asked questions