Clean Pan Cooking: When To Switch It Up

Burnt pans are a common occurrence in the kitchen, and there are several methods to tackle this issue. The type of pan you're using will determine the best approach, as some cleaning methods can damage non-stick pans. For example, abrasive tools like scouring pads or steel wool should be avoided when cleaning non-stick pans. Instead, a softer sponge or cloth can be used with baking soda, which is a mild abrasive that can clear away most stuck-on residue. For stainless steel pans, Bar Keepers Friend is a popular choice and is known as the holy grail of stainless steel polishing. It's an acidic cleaner that cuts through and loosens burnt-on food, and it can be used on other surfaces in the home too. Other methods include using dishwasher tablets, boiling water and baking soda in the pan, or even a combination of baking soda and vinegar.

After cooking, scrape out excess oil with a spatula or paper towel

Keeping your cookware clean is essential for maintaining its longevity and ensuring your food tastes great. One important step in the cleaning process is removing excess oil after cooking. Here are some tips and techniques to help you effectively scrape out excess oil with a spatula or paper towel:

• After you've finished cooking, turn off the heat and let the pan cool down slightly. This will allow the oil to thicken and become less runny, making it easier to remove.
• Using a spatula, gently scrape the surface of the pan to collect any excess oil. Work your way across the entire cooking surface, being careful not to scratch or damage the pan's coating.
• If you prefer to use paper towels, fold a sheet into a thick pad and carefully wipe down the pan. Absorb as much oil as possible, and be sure to use a fresh section of the towel for each pass to avoid redepositing oil onto the pan.
• For cast iron pans, avoid using paper towels to wipe off excess oil, as they can leave bits of paper stuck to the iron. Instead, opt for a cotton terry towel or a small cotton cloth.
• If there are stubborn bits of food or grease stuck to the pan, add a small amount of water to the pan and bring it to a simmer. Use a wooden or metal spatula to gently loosen the residue, then let the pan cool before washing as usual.
• To reduce the amount of oil you need to remove after cooking, consider using a splatter screen while frying or cooking greasy foods. This will help contain the mess and make cleanup easier.
• Alternatively, you can use absorbent materials like cheesecloth to soak up excess oil from your food. Simply wrap your cooked food in cheesecloth and suspend it over a bowl to catch the dripping oil.

Deglaze the pan by adding hot water

Deglazing a pan is a simple process that can add a lot of flavour to your dish. It involves pouring a liquid—usually cold—into a hot pan that has been used to cook food, which still has food particles stuck to the bottom. This technique is usually done when making a pan sauce—a sauce made in the same pan in which you seared or cooked meat, chicken, fish, or vegetables.

Cook Meat or Vegetables in a Hot Pan

Preheat a wide pan and add fat (such as oil or butter). Continue heating until the oil shimmers or the butter browns lightly, then add your ingredients and cook with minimal stirring. This process will leave a brown, sticky residue at the bottom of the pan, which is called the "fond". The fond contains a lot of flavour and is key to a successful deglaze.

Remove Ingredients and Skim Off Excess Fat

Once your meat or vegetables are done cooking, transfer them to another dish, leaving the fond behind. If there is a lot of fat remaining in the pan, spoon it off or pour it through a strainer, returning any crusty brown solids to the pan. Too much fat will make your sauce greasy and increase spatter when you add the water.

Pour in Hot Water

As a rule of thumb, use 1 cup of water for an entree that serves four. Keep in mind that the water will reduce to about half its original volume, creating a more intense flavour. Add the water slowly or in stages to keep the pan hot, which will help the fond dissolve faster.

Scrape at Fond Until it Dissolves

Heat the pan over a medium-high burner while scraping the base with a wooden or rubber tool. Continue this process until the water is boiling and most of the fond has dissolved.

Pour Over the Dish or Make a Pan Sauce (Optional)

At this point, you can simply pour the flavoured water over your cooked meat or vegetables for some extra flavour. Alternatively, you can continue to the next steps to transform the water into a richer pan sauce.

Add Aromatic Ingredients (Optional)

Add a handful of minced garlic or shallots to your pan, along with any herbs that match the main dish ingredients. You can also cook mushrooms, carrots, celery, or onions in the water for extra flavour.

Heat Until Reduced (Optional)

Boil the water until it has reduced to about half its original volume and has an almost syrupy consistency. This step will concentrate the flavour and evaporate some of the alcohol if you have used an alcoholic liquid.

Finish with Fat (Optional)

For a smooth and rich sauce, remove the pan from the heat and swirl in a bit of cream or melted butter.

Strain the Sauce (Optional)

For an even texture and a restaurant-style presentation, pour the sauce through a strainer before serving.

Use a long-handled dish brush to loosen any bits of stuck-on food

Keeping your pans clean is important, especially if you want to avoid food sticking to them. While there are many methods for cleaning a burnt pan, one handy tool to have in your arsenal is a long-handled dish brush.

The long handle on a dish brush serves a dual purpose: it keeps your hands out of hot water, and the bristles shed moisture, reducing bacteria build-up compared to sponges and dishcloths.

To use a long-handled dish brush to loosen stuck-on food, start by removing any large food particles from the pan. Then, fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil. Next, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda, remove the pan from the heat, and let it soak. Finally, use the long-handled dish brush to scrub away any remaining stuck-on food. If you're concerned about scratching the pan, opt for a brush with softer bristles.

If you don't have vinegar or baking soda, you can also use a long-handled dish brush with hot water and dish soap. Simply fill the pan with hot water and a few drops of dish soap, then use the brush to scrub away the stuck-on food.

Remember to clean your dish brush regularly, especially if you're using it to clean greasy or burnt pans. Remove food particles by holding the brush under running water, shake off the excess water, and hang the brush to dry. At the end of the day, rub a few drops of dishwashing detergent onto the bristles and handle, rinse with hot water, and hang to dry. To sanitise the brush, soak the bristles in distilled white vinegar for a couple of hours, then rinse and dry.

For tough stains, use powdered cleaners like Bar Keepers Friend or baking soda

When to Grab a Clean Pan

If you're dealing with tough stains or burnt-on food in your pans, it's time to bring out the heavy-duty cleaners. Two of the most effective products for this purpose are Bar Keepers Friend and baking soda. Both of these powdered cleaners can cut through grease and remove even the most stubborn stains, leaving your pans looking brand new.

Bar Keepers Friend to the Rescue

Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that is ideal for stainless steel items. It can also be used on other surfaces like ceramic and enameled cast iron. This cleaner can easily remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces. One of its unique features is its ability to protect the surfaces of your pans, helping to prevent future tarnishing and rusting.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of your pan. Then, with the faucet turned off, scrub the surface using a soft wet cloth or sponge. The product won't work up a lather, so you'll need to rely on the moisture on the pan to turn the powder into a paste. If needed, you can add a small splash of water to hydrate the powder. For extremely greasy or burnt pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a softer sponge or rag. Remember to wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin, as this product is abrasive. Once you're done scrubbing, rinse the pan thoroughly with clean water.

For tougher stains, you can make a paste by mixing the Bar Keepers Friend powder with a small amount of water. Apply this paste to the stained area and let it sit for about a minute before washing, rinsing, and drying your pan.

The Magic of Baking Soda

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help remove stubborn burnt-on food. Its alkaline pH can also neutralize acidic burnt foods, making it especially effective for cleaning stainless steel and aluminum pans. Additionally, when combined with an acid like vinegar or lemon juice, baking soda creates a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt-on food.

There are several methods you can use to clean your pans with baking soda. One common approach is to make a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Apply this paste liberally to the burnt areas of your pan and let it sit for a few hours or even overnight. Then, scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Finally, rinse and dry your pan as usual.

For tougher stains, you can combine baking soda with vinegar or lemon juice to create an even more powerful cleaning solution. First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add enough vinegar or lemon juice to cover the bottom of the pan. Bring this mixture to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add baking soda, creating a fizzing reaction. Set the pan aside until the fizzing stops, then discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or sponge. Rinse and dry the pan, and your pan will be good as new!

For burnt non-stick pans, use a non-scratch sponge and mild abrasives like baking soda

Burnt non-stick pans can be a challenge to clean, but with the right tools and techniques, you can restore them to their former glory. Here are some detailed instructions on how to tackle this task:

Step 1: Create a Cleaning Mixture

For this method, you'll need to create a slurry of white vinegar, water, and baking soda directly in your non-stick pan. Start by pouring enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Then, add equal parts white vinegar and baking soda; two tablespoons of each should be sufficient.

Step 2: Boil and Stir the Mixture

Place the pan on your stove and turn the heat on. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue stirring for about 5 minutes. This process will help loosen any burnt residue on the pan.

Step 3: Cool the Mixture and Rinse the Pan

After boiling, remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely. Once it has cooled, carefully discard the vinegar solution and rinse the pan with warm water.

Step 4: Wash with Soap and Water

Now, you can proceed to wash the pan with dish soap and hot water. Use a non-scratch sponge or a soft cloth to gently scrub the burnt areas of the pan. Avoid using anything more abrasive, such as chain mail, steel wool, or heavy-duty scrubbing brushes, as these can damage the non-stick coating.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry the Pan

Once you've scrubbed the pan, rinse it again with warm water to remove any remaining soap or food particles. Finally, use a clean towel or let the pan air dry.

Additional Tips:

• If the burnt food is dried on, you can start by simply letting the pan soak in hot water to rehydrate the burnt spots.
• If the burnt food or residue remains stuck to the pan after trying this method, you may need to replace the pan, as the non-stick coating may have started to break down.
• Remember to always treat your non-stick pans gently and avoid overheating or dry heating them.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively clean your burnt non-stick pans and restore their easy-to-use, stick-free surface.

Frequently asked questions