How to wash a burnt pan: top 7 easy ways

We’ve all been through this – the recipe says to stir constantly while simmering, but you take the risk and get distracted. Just for a minute! Inevitably, the food burns. Fear not: Cleaning up blackened, burnt dishes doesn’t have to mean a tiring day of thorough cleaning. You probably already have everything you need to save burnt pots from the stains left by hot burners and burnt food.

Method 1: Water, Vinegar and Baking Soda

Add 1 cup water and 1 cup vinegar to a saucepan and bring to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. The mixture will sizzle, pulling away burnt bits from the bottom of the pot. After sizzling, drain the liquid and wash the pan with a dishwashing sponge. If there are still stuck pieces, mix more baking soda and water (make a paste) and leave for a few minutes, then sponge again with detergent.

Method 2: boiled lemons

Cut two or three lemons into quarters and place in a dirty pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes or until you see food particles float to the surface. Citric acid helps to remove burnt food stains, but without a strong smell. This method will clean the burnt pan and fill your kitchen with a refreshing citrus scent. Pour out the water and lemons, the remaining burnt bits can be easily removed with a sponge and dishwashing detergent. This is perhaps the simplest of all methods, requiring almost no cleanup effort.

Method 3: dishwasher tablet

Add one dishwasher tablet, 1 tablespoon of powdered or 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent to the pot. Warm up over low heat. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, the burnt bits will just fall off and your pan will be like new. Remove from heat, scrape the tablet from the burnt pieces with a silicone or wooden spatula. Rinse with warm water.

Method 4: aluminum foil

The aluminum foil method for cleaning a burnt pan is effective and inexpensive, but requires a little more effort than the methods mentioned earlier. It also contains an important note: Do not use the aluminum foil method on non-stick cookware. Apply 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda to the stained area and add a little water to make a paste. Crumple up some aluminum foil and start rubbing until the pan comes out clean. Rinse the pot thoroughly with water.

FROMmethod 5: witholdishwashing detergent and lemon

Coarse salt is great for removing burn marks and is especially good for removing greasy stains. Try mixing it with dish soap and hot water, or rubbing half a lemon into a burnt pot.

Method 6: soda

While the pot is still hot, pour the soda into the bottom of the pot. Let the carbonation in the soda loosen any burnt dirt, then wash the pot clean. A regular Alka-Seltzer pop will work just as well as a soda. Add 1-2 tablets to hot water in a saucepan, let it steep and clean the saucepan with a sponge.

Method 7: toetchup

While ketchup on its own may not be acidic enough to remove stubborn stains on a pot, it is popular for restoring dull and tarnished pots and pans. Cover the dirty area with a thin layer of the sauce and wipe off after 15 minutes.