Did you leave anything plastic in a hot frying pan? Is your plastic spatula melted and stuck to the pan? Maybe you put a hot pan on a plastic surface?
In any event, the plastics have most likely melted and are now stuck within or on the bottom of the pan. Scrubbing does not help, and it seems that the pan is permanently damaged.
Don’t be too hard on yourself; it’s an honest mistake that anybody can make.
The good news is that melted plastic may be readily removed from your pan. In reality, it’s much easy than you would think!
Contents
How to Remove Melted Plastic from Pans
It is critical to understand how to properly remove melted plastic from cookware.
Otherwise, you may end up damaging the pan.
Let’s look at some tried and true ways for removing melted plastic from cookware.
Make use of Baking Soda
To remove melted plastic from your cookware, use baking soda.
The strategy is simple to implement and incredibly successful. The nice aspect is that you may utilize this procedure no matter where the plastic has accumulated.
Learn how to use baking soda to remove melted plastic from the interior and outside of the pan.
Inside the Pan
The safest method is to fill the pan with approximately an inch of water. To the water, add a few teaspoons of baking soda and carefully mix.
A medium-sized skillet should use 3 to 4 teaspoons of baking soda.
But, depending on the size of the pan, you may modify the amount of baking soda.
Turn the heat down low and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it to boil for a few minutes, and the melted plastic will easily peel off.
If it continues, carefully pull it off with a spatula. Your pan will be like new!
If you run out of baking soda, you may use cream of tartar. Use it in the same manner as baking soda to get the same effects!
Beyond the Pan
Is there plastic on the sides or bottom of your pan? All you need is baking soda.
Fill a big saucepan halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Remember that the pot you use must be big enough to accommodate your pan. Additionally, do not overfill it. Make a spot in the water to immerse the pan.
Now, add a couple teaspoons of baking soda to the water and thoroughly mix it in. For a medium-sized skillet, 4 to 5 teaspoons baking soda should enough.
This, however, is not a hard and fast rule. You may change the amount as you see appropriate. Place the pan in the water and bring it to a simmer.
Let a few minutes to pass before taking the pan from the water. Scrape the plastic away with a butter knife. It should be simple to remove.
After removing the plastic, thoroughly wash the pan with soap and cold water before reusing it.
Note that the pan will be hot, so use caution while touching it to prevent damage.
Use caution while using the knife to avoid damaging the pan. Keep in mind that you may need to repeat the operation many times to thoroughly remove the melted plastic.
Remove and Freeze
This procedure works flawlessly. It is very effective for melted plastic trapped in the bottom of frying pans. Remember that this is a high-risk strategy.
As a result, if you are not cautious, you may wind up ruining your pan. Nonetheless, as long as you follow the instructions to the letter, you should be OK.
- Place the Pan in the Freezer: Instead of scrubbing or scratching the melted plastic, simply place your pan in the freezer. Let the pan sit in the freezer for at least 3 to 5 hours.
- Find a Non-marring Hefty Object: Look around the house for a hefty object that you can use to strike the pan. However, keep in mind that the object you choose must be softer than the metal of your pan. Otherwise, it can dent the pan. Opt for things like a soft yet heavy wooden spoon or a plastic mallet.
- Remove the Pan from the Freezer: The pan must be chilled when you take it out of the freezer. Make sure that the plastic has hardened. This makes it easier to get rid of it without damaging the pan.
- Gently Strike the Pan to Remove Melted Plastic: Place the pan upside down on a hard surface. It is advisable to place it on the floor instead of on kitchen shelves. Using whatever non-marrying hefty object you’ve picked, gently tap the bottom of the pan. Focus on the areas where the plastic has pooled.
- Adjust the Strength: Start tapping as lightly as possible. If it doesn’t work, slowly tap a bit harder. Keep in mind that you’ll have to be patient. Refrain from striking the pan too hard as that can lead to denting.
The hardened plastic should be easy to remove. Be careful to properly clean the pan before using it again.
It is critical to recognize that, although this approach is successful, you must choose the appropriate item to tap the pan with.
Wearing working gloves is recommended since you will be handling hefty things.
Always prioritize safety!
If your pan is fragile or you can’t locate the correct instrument to tap it, use a butter knife. Remove the melted plastic with the knife. It should just pop off!
Straighten It Out!
Some people dislike heating pans on the stove to remove melted plastic because it might emit an unpleasant stench.
Also, using a knife or a heavy tool risks damaging your pan.
An iron is a simple alternative.
Here’s how to use an iron to soften and remove melted plastic.
- Place a Piece of Cloth over Melted Plastic: Take a piece of cloth and place it over the melted plastic. Make sure that the cloth you choose is thin but does not burn easily.
- Heat the Plastic: With the cloth covering the melted plastic, run the iron back and forth over the affected area. As the iron heats up, the plastic will become malleable.
- Wipe it Off: Once the plastic has softened enough, use the same cloth to wipe it off!
- Clean the Pan: Keep in mind that tiny pieces of plastic may be left behind. Scrub the pan with an abrasive material to get rid of them. It is best to use a cleaning agent like baking soda to scrub off the remaining plastic.
If large fragments of plastic remain, repeat the procedure. Do not, however, lay the cloth on hot plastic. Let it to cool instead. Cover it with a fresh piece of fabric and continue the procedure until it is firm again.
This procedure is effective for removing melted plastic from the pan’s bottom.
It may also be used to remove plastic that has been trapped inside or on the edges of the pan. But, it will be difficult and you may not get the greatest outcomes.
If you wish to remove melted plastic trapped within the pan, use an iron that is smaller than the pan’s rim.
Therefore, it may be difficult to generate enough heat to melt the plastic.
It is also not the ideal approach for removing melted plastic off the edges of the pan for the same reason. The iron will not glide smoothly down the sidewalls.
Make Use of a Hair Dryer
If you don’t want to use a hot iron, a hairdryer is an excellent alternative for heating and removing melted plastic.
Nevertheless, this procedure is best suited for little amounts of plastic. Thus, if you’ve melted a plastic bag, it’ll work wonderfully.
Unfortunately, this procedure may not be the best option for removing a melted plastic spoon that has been caught in the pan.
Here’s how to use a hairdryer to get melted plastic out of your cookware.
- Apply the Heat: Turn on the hairdryer and face it toward the affected area of the pan. Make sure it is set on maximum heat. Apply the hot air directly over the melted plastic. In a few seconds, the plastic will start to loosen.
- Wipe it Clean: Once the plastic is malleable enough, use a piece of clean cloth or rag to wipe it off. It should come right off!
- Clean the Pan: In case some plastic is left behind, use an abrasive cleaner to scrub it off.
This is one of the easiest and safest ways to remove melted plastic from your cookware.
Nevertheless, you may need to repeat the operation multiple times to thoroughly remove the plastic.
In conclusion
If you get melted plastic on your stainless steel pans, cast iron pans, or other metal pans, you don’t have to throw them away.
Instead, use the procedures outlined above to remove it.
Your pans will appear brand new. When it comes to dealing with melted plastic, keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Hence, experiment with different approaches to determine what works best for you!
Additional articles about frying pans you may be interested in:
- Why Do Pans Have Metal, Wooden, or Plastic Handles?
- Is It Safe to Put a Pan with Plastic Handle in the Oven?
- How to Remove Rust From Cast Iron Pans?
- How to Remove Cooking Spray Residue From Pans
- How To Clean Baked-On Grease From Pans?
- How to Get Out Burnt Foil in Baking Pan?
- How to Get Burnt Sugar off a Cooking Pan?