No matter how good you are in the kitchen – you probably end up leaving your pans on the stove once in a while.
The worst thing about a burnt pan is the mess that is left behind.
Not only is it gross to clean a burnt pan, but it also smells! But fear not, there are several ways to get rid of this mess and make your pans look brand new again.
You can use chemicals to clean your burnt pans, but if you believe chemicals might damage the surface of your pan or want to keep chemicals away from your food, there are various natural ways to clean burnt pans.
With the right product, cleaning your pan will be easy, quick and efficient. Read ahead to learn more about all kinds of pans and how to clean them!
Contents
Different Types of Pans
There are many different kinds of pans, and each one serves a certain purpose. The following is a guide that will assist you in distinguishing between each one!
Small, Medium and Large Pans
A frying pan is often smaller than 8 inches in diameter and is considered to be a tiny pan. Eggs and other foods with a diameter of less than 8 inches may be fried in it.
A tiny pan is almost certainly made of stainless steel or nonstick material. When you are just cooking for two people, using a smaller pan is the best option.
Approximately 10 inches is the length of a medium pan. At the very least, it can provide food preparation for three persons. The majority of medium-sized pans are made of stainless steel or nonstick.
Large pans have a diameter of around 12 inches. Use a big pan if you are going to be cooking a substantial quantity of food. To avoid the food adhering to the surface of your pan, make sure that you cover the whole surface with a sufficient amount of oil or butter before beginning to cook the meal.
Non-stick Pans
Non-stick pans are available in a wide range of sizes and can be found at most kitchen supply stores.
The majority of the time, these pans are used for foods that are easier to adhere to the surface of the pan, such as eggs cooked in butter.
Additionally, they are relatively simple to clean. The use of nonstick pans does not create a significant amount of additional work, but it is possible that they cannot endure the high heat of the oven.
Before placing a pan in the oven, you need first determine the maximum capacity of that pan.
In a related topic, can you put nonstick pots and pans in the dishwasher to clean them?
Stainless Steel Pans
The majority of these pans are ovenproof pans due to their ability to readily survive the high temperatures inside an oven.
Dishes that need to be cooked in the oven might benefit from the usage of these utensils. The fact that pans made of stainless steel may be washed in the dishwasher exemplifies how simple it is to clean them.
When you are cleaning your stainless steel pans, be careful not to scrape too vigorously, since this may easily cause damage to the surface of the pans.
Never forget to wait until the pan has completely cooled down before handling it or cleaning it!
If it is difficult to scrape the food off, you may even let it soak in water before cleaning it if that would help.
Aluminum Pans
It’s safe to say that aluminum pans are the most ubiquitous kind of cookware.
These pans are not only long-lasting, but they can also be cleaned in the dishwasher without any problems.
In comparison to the prices of the many other types of pans, they are rather inexpensive and can be found just about anywhere. However, you should be sure to wash your aluminum pans on a regular basis since, if you don’t, they may get discolored.
Cast Iron Pans
One of the finest features of pans made of cast iron is the equal heat distribution they provide.
They are not only excellent heat conductors, but they also maintain that quality for a considerable amount of time. You may also use them for even baking and low and slow cooking.
Cast iron pans might be difficult to clean, but the end result is well worth the effort. Because prolonged exposure to water might cause rusting, you shouldn’t soak them for an excessive amount of time in it.
If they need to be cleaned, you may either wipe them down with a paper towel or wash them in soapy water and then dry them right away. Cast iron cookware may either be purchased bare cast or with an enamel coating.
Cast iron cookware that has not been enameled makes it simpler to clean with a damp cloth, but enameled cast iron cookware does not need this kind of upkeep. Cast iron pans should not be used for cooking acidic foods, and you should always season your cast iron pans before adding any ingredients.
In a related topic, can olive oil be used to season a cast-iron skillet?
Tricks to Clean Your Pans (Easy and Natural Methods)
Although the approaches will vary, the strategies that are need to complete the task will remain mostly unchanged. To clean a pan that has been burned on, you need:
- Dish detergent
- Washcloth
- Hot water
- Spoon or spatula made of wood
Use Heat and Water
If you have a pan that has been burned on, you may easily clean it by putting dish soap to the pan and then filling it with hot or tepid water.
Be careful to clean the pot while it is still filled with water and dish soap, and then place it back on the fire to bring it to a boil. It is not difficult to scrape the bottom of the pot with a washcloth or a wooden spoon while the water is boiling.
If you use a wooden spoon, you may reduce the amount of wear and tear that is caused to your surface.
Use Vinegar
Do not be alarmed if applying heat and water to the pan fails to free the food that is stuck to it. The use of vinegar is the next item on the agenda.
Due to the fact that vinegar is acidic, it is an excellent remedy that may aid with goods that have been burned. Be sure to add the vinegar in a slow and cautious manner. If your pot is completely burned, you may need to use two cups of water to clean it, but otherwise, you should only need one cup for the whole pan.
After you have added the vinegar, fill the pan with water, and then place it back on the fire to bring to a boil. After allowing it to boil for a few minutes, remove it from the heat source and let it to cool down on its own.
Vinegar’s versatility lies in the fact that it may be combined with a wide variety of other liquids and powders, including lemon juice, baking soda, and even salt.
Vinegar on its own is also an acceptable substitute.
Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
This is a relatively standard method for removing burned food from pans. Not only is baking soda and vinegar an effective combination for cleaning burned pans, but also for cleaning a variety of other objects found in the kitchen.
You may use them to clean the stove as well as all of the metal pots and pans in your kitchen.
After the water has finished boiling, put it back on the burner and stir in two teaspoons of baking soda. It is possible that this may cause the water to bubble, but don’t be alarmed since this is precisely the effect you are going for.
Be careful that the sizzle doesn’t go out of control, since if it does, you’ll have a lot more to clean up than just a burned pan! Before using a pad to scrub this solution, it should be allowed to sit undisturbed for at least half an hour.
Use Salt and Dish Soap
We have the perfect answer for you if you need to clean a pan that has been burned in but don’t want to lose the seasoning in the process.
To clean the burned-on pan, you may use a combination of salt and dish soap. The use of salt will also assist in maintaining the seasoning that is already on the pan. To prevent the seasoning from being ruined in any way, you need to make use of the following:
- Dish soap
- Salt
- Small container
- Paper towel or cloth
In the smaller container, combine the dishwashing liquid with the salt. They should be blended together until they form a paste. It is possible to pour the paste onto the pan in one fluid motion. Make it a point to use a washcloth to gently clean the burned areas until the discoloration disappears.
In the event that the grease still does not come off, you always have the option of scrubbing it with salt instead of dish soap. Additionally, salt may be used with wheat and vinegar in cooking!
Use Lemon and Water
Keeping your charred pans and pots clean and giving them a pleasant aroma may be accomplished by adding lemon slices that have been sliced up and adding them to the pans. Lemon juice is an excellent choice for removing stains, and it works wonders when combined with vinegar to produce an even more potent cleaning solution.
If you want your pots to have a clean scent and feel like they are brand new, using one of these sour foods is an excellent choice to make.
Prepare the zest and juice of two or three lemons, depending on the size of your cooking pot, but the typical quantity is two lemons. It makes no difference how wide your lemon slices are as long as you use the whole lemon in the recipe.
First, ensure that there is water present in the pan’s base, and then bring the water to a boil. After the water has boiled, remove the lemons and then use a scrub brush to remove the charred residue. All of the food and filth that has been embedded in your pots may be readily removed with this method.
Use Dryer Sheets
This approach may not make sense, but it does get the desired results. To effectively clean pans that have been burned with dryer sheets, you will need the following items:
- Hot water
- Dryer sheets
- Dish soap
- Brush
The first thing you should do is put a few drops of dish soap into the pot or skillet that has been burned. After placing the dryer sheet over the burned areas, you should also carefully pour hot water over them.
It is important to ensure that the dryer sheet is thoroughly submerged in the hot water. The pan should be let to rest for at least an hour. After an hour, the burned-on portions of the pan will just peel away without requiring any cleaning on your part!
Use Bleach-Free Cleansers
Utilizing cleansers that do not include bleach is a speedy method for cleaning your cookware.
They not only shield the surface of your pots, but they are also safe for stainless steel and won’t corrode it. Make a paste by combining the non-bleach cleanser with water in a mixing bowl. Cleansers like these, which do not include bleach, make it simple to eliminate rust, filth, and grime that have accumulated on your pan.
Pots and pans made of aluminum or copper may also be cleaned using detergents that do not include chlorine.
Be careful to clean the pan by first scrubbing it with a soft cloth and then rinsing it with water. If you get the impression that the pot is not quite clean, keep cleaning it, and you will have it spotless in no time.
What NOT to Use to Clean Your Burnt Pans
When it comes to cleaning your pots, there are a few different types of products that you should never use.
These supplies include of steel wool and scouring pads, among other things.
These are the kinds of things that may quickly destroy the seasoning on non-stick cookware and even pots made of cast iron.
It is best to avoid putting harsh surfaces on your pans since doing so might potentially ruin your cookware permanently.
Common Materials to Use When Cleaning Your Burnt Pans
There are a variety of methods you may use to clean your pans, but the supplies you’ll need are, for the most part, the same.
You nearly always need to have water that is warm or hot.
To properly clean your pots, you will also need a gentle scrape or a washcloth. This will not only lessen the amount of peeling that occurs, but it will also prevent damage to the seasoning on your pots.
You may also try scraping the burned food away with a wooden spoon or a spatula, but you have to be careful not to scrape too vigorously!
Difference between Cleaning Aluminum Pans vs. Stainless Steel Pans
If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you should be aware of the specific care demands that each piece of cookware in your collection has.
Make sure to clean each and every one of your pans using a different kind of material, regardless of whether you have an iron cast pan or an aluminum pan.
Always keep in mind that the kind of material used in the construction of your cookware will dictate the kind of cleaning chemicals you need to use.
The vast majority of cleaning chemicals may be used on stainless steel, however you should never use steel wool. This will result in damage to your pot, rendering it useless.
When cleaning aluminum pots, make sure to not use baking soda.
As long as you follow the proper procedure, selecting the appropriate cleaning substance for your pan should not be difficult at all. You can never go wrong with basics like vinegar, baking soda, salt, slices of lemon, and even a dryer sheet.
Not only are these methods for cleaning your pots simple, but they are also quite effective. Give them a shot right now to witness the difference for yourself!
I hope you like cleaning!
FAQs
What is the best way to clean burnt pans?
The procedure consists of filling your unclean pan with water and vinegar in equal parts. First, the liquid should be brought to a boil, and then two teaspoons of baking soda should be added. Take the pan off the heat and let it sit for up to a quarter of an hour. After pouring the liquid down the drain, clean any residual fragments of burned-on food with a sponge or scouring pad to remove any traces of the liquid.
Does vinegar clean burnt pans?
Pour into the saucepan an amount of water and vinegar that is equal in proportion and is sufficient to cover the burned region entirely. Once again, bring it to a boil for approximately five minutes. In addition to the heat, the acidity of the vinegar will aid to dissolve the tenacious stains that are left behind by food that has been burnt. 3
How do I get the black stuff off my pans?
After adding one glass of white vinegar to the water, give the mixture a little swirl to combine the two components. Put the frying pan on high heat, then wait ten minutes for it to come to a boil. After that, add two teaspoons of baking soda to the mixture. This ingredient, when combined with the vinegar, will cause bubbles to develop, which will assist in the removal of burn marks.
How do you clean a burnt pan with ketchup?
Soak in ketchup
Because the acetic acid included in ketchup is able to efficiently break down the copper oxide that accumulates when food is burned, you may use the condiment to wipe up pans that have been scorched. Ketchup may be applied on burns, let to rest for approximately half an hour, and then scrubbed off thereafter.
How do you clean old pans?
How to Clean Burnt Nonstick Pans
- First, put some baking soda and some water in the pan. Baking soda should be sprinkled over the burned area, and then a very tiny quantity of water should be added to produce a paste.
- Step 2: Let Sit and Scrub. After letting the pan rest out for the night, clean it carefully with a sponge that won’t scratch. Rinse well and then wash with liquid soap.