Best Vinegar Types To Clean Up Burned Pans

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in the kitchen, and vinegar is a great multi-purpose cleaner to help remedy this issue. When combined with baking soda, the two create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food from the pan. The process involves boiling a mixture of vinegar and water in the pan, adding baking soda, and then scrubbing the pan with a scouring pad. This method can be time-consuming and requires a lot of elbow grease, but it is an effective way to clean a burnt pan using household ingredients.

Vinegar and baking soda

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. If your pan is badly burnt, you may need to use a scraper, such as a wooden spatula, to remove the debris.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar in the Pan

Fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar. Place the pan on the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. The amount of liquid you use will depend on the size of your pan. For a large pot or pan, you may need to use more than one cup of water and vinegar.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Once the liquid is boiling, remove the pan from the heat and add baking soda. The amount of baking soda you use will depend on the size of your pan. For a full pot bottom, you may need to use up to one cup of baking soda. You will likely see a fizzing reaction when you add the baking soda, so it is best to do this step in the sink.

Step 4: Soak the Pan

Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop. This may take a few minutes. During this time, the vinegar and baking soda will work together to break down the burnt food on your pan.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

After the fizzing has stopped, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a scouring pad or nylon brush. You can add more baking soda to the pan as needed to help with the scrubbing process.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

Once you have removed all the burnt-on food and stains, rinse the pan with clean water and dry it as usual.

Tips and Variations:

• If you are using a cast iron skillet or a non-stick pan, do not use vinegar as it can damage the pan's seasoning. Instead, cover the bottom of the pan with baking soda and add a small amount of water to create a paste. Scrub the pan with a stiff-bristle brush or scouring pad, then rinse and dry as usual.
• For a less intense version of the vinegar and baking soda method, you can skip boiling the vinegar and simply pour a small layer of equal parts water and vinegar into the pan. Heat the diluted vinegar on the stovetop for a minute, then drain it down the sink. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the pan and use a scouring pad to remove any remaining burn marks.
• Always be careful when combining vinegar and baking soda, as they can create a "dramatic fizz" that may require a lot of clean-up. To avoid this, you can pour out the vinegar before adding the baking soda.
• If you have stubborn marks that won't come off with scouring, make a paste of baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the marks and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

Boiling water and vinegar

First, fill the bottom of the burnt pan with a thin layer of water. The amount of water used will depend on the size of the pan. For a large pot or pan, you may need to use more water.

Next, add vinegar to the pan. The general rule is to use equal parts water and vinegar. However, if you are using a large pan, you may need to adjust the measurements accordingly. For example, you can add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar to the pan.

Once you have added the water and vinegar, place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Allow the mixture to come to a boil. This will help to loosen any burnt-on food and grime. You can also use this method to deglaze your pan, loosening flavorful bits to make a sauce or gravy.

After the mixture has boiled for a few minutes, remove the pan from the heat. At this point, you can choose to discard the liquid by pouring it down the sink. This is a crucial step, especially if you are using baking soda in the next step, as combining vinegar and baking soda can cause a "dramatic fizz" that may require a lot of cleanup.

Now, it's time to add the baking soda. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into the pan. You can also make a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water, and then applying it to the pan. The alkaline nature of baking soda will help neutralize acidic burnt foods, and its mild abrasive properties will aid in removing stubborn stains.

If you have used baking soda, allow the pan to cool before proceeding to the next step. Once the pan is cool, use a scouring pad or nylon brush to scrub away any remaining burnt-on bits. You can also add more baking soda at this stage if needed.

Finally, rinse the pan clean with water and dry it as usual. Your burnt pan should now be sparkling clean!

This method is not only effective but also uses affordable, natural ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. However, it does require some time and effort, so be prepared for a slightly intense cleaning session.

Deglazing technique

Deglazing is a simple cooking technique that can be used to clean a burnt pan. It involves pouring a liquid—usually cold—into a hot pan that has been used to cook food, which has food particles stuck to the bottom. The liquid releases the food particles from the bottom of the pan, allowing you to create a sauce from the particles and clean the pan at the same time.

To deglaze a pan, follow these steps:

• Remove the meat, poultry, or vegetables from the pan.
• Pour off any excess fat or oil.
• If making a sauce, add any aromatic ingredients such as shallots or fresh herbs.
• Pour cold liquid into the pan, keeping the heat on medium. You can use water, wine, vinegar, or any other liquid of your choice.
• Bring the liquid to a boil while scraping the bottom of the pan with a deglazing spatula or a flat-ended wooden spoon.
• Simmer and reduce the liquid by half before adding any additional ingredients such as cream or butter.
• Continue with your recipe as desired.

It is important to note that you should avoid using a non-stick pan for deglazing, as the ingredients need to stick to the pan to create the desired flavour. Additionally, always pay attention to the amount of liquid you are adding to the pan, so you know when it has been reduced by half.

Boiled lemons

To clean a burnt pan using boiled lemons, follow these steps:

• Cut two or three lemons into quarters or thick slices.
• Place the lemon slices in the bottom of the burnt pan.
• Add enough water to the pan to cover the entire scorched area.
• Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil.
• Keep the water boiling for about five minutes. You will see the burnt food particles coming off the bottom of the pan as the lemon floats around.
• After boiling for five minutes, remove the pan from the heat and let it soak while the water cools to room temperature.
• Once the water has cooled, discard the water and lemon slices.
• Lightly scrub off any remaining grime with a soft sponge or scouring pad.

This method is simple, effective, and will leave your kitchen smelling fresh and citrusy. It is also a more natural approach to cleaning a burnt pan, without the use of harsh chemicals.

In addition to boiled lemons, there are several other methods that can be used to clean a burnt pan, including:

• Soaking with dishwasher detergent
• Scrubbing with aluminium foil
• Combining vinegar and baking soda
• Boiling vinegar and water
• Soaking with a dryer sheet
• Boiling water and baking soda

Vinegar and salt

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. It is important to do this while the pan is still hot, as it will be easier to remove. Use a wooden spatula or similar tool to gently scrape away the burnt residue. Be careful not to scratch or damage the pan's surface.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar

Fill the pan with equal parts water and white vinegar. Place the pan on the stove and heat the mixture until it comes to a boil. The vinegar will help to break down the burnt residue and loosen its grip on the pan. Allow the mixture to boil for a minute or two.

Step 3: Add Salt

Remove the pan from the heat and pour out the vinegar and water mixture down the sink. Next, add a generous amount of salt to the pan. Coarse kosher salt is particularly effective for this purpose, as it has a stronger abrasive effect. The salt will act as a scrubbing agent to help lift the remaining burnt residue.

Step 4: Scrub the Pan

Use a scouring pad, sponge, or brush to scrub the salt into the pan, focusing on the areas with remaining burn marks. The combination of the abrasive salt and the scouring pad will help to remove the stubborn residue. Continue scrubbing until most of the burnt marks are gone.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Once you have removed as much of the burnt residue as possible, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining salt and vinegar residue. Dry the pan thoroughly with a clean cloth or towel.

This method may require some elbow grease, but it is an effective way to clean a burned pan using common household ingredients. It is important to be gentle when scrubbing to avoid damaging the pan's surface.

Frequently asked questions