If you’ve ever stepped away from food cooking on your stove for even a minute too long you how easy it is to burn your pots and pans. Once you are done cooking, these can be no fun to clean. Perhaps you’ve even ruined some cookware this way.
There are options you can try before you toss those scorched pots and pans in your trash. We have put together some methods you can try to restore them to their original glory. Your pots may seem far gone, but there is still hope! One of these techniques could work to remove that stubborn cooking debris once and for all.
Keep a few things in mind before you get started with any of these pot-cleaning methods. For starters, use common sense when it comes to avoiding further damage to certain types of pots and pans. For example, using abrasive cleaning solutions on a cast-iron pan isn’t the best idea. Instead just as using sharp utensils to scrape burned food bits off a non-stick pan is probably not advisable. In general, it’s best, to begin with, the mildest and most gentle cleaning methods at first. This will help you minimize or avoid any further damage to your cookware.
Different Methods To Cleaning Your Burned Pot
1. Start With Hot Water
Starting with hot water tends to work best to clean pots and pans that do not have a non-stick coating. This technique on a non-stick pan could result in damage to the protective coating. You may want to try other methods on non-stick cookware before resorting to this one.
For cookware, such as stainless steel or ceramic, a little hot water can go a long way in removing burned food bits. The best way to use this method is to heat your cookware on the stovetop. Once it’s hot enough that a drop of water sizzles on the surface of the pot or pan pour in just enough water and cover the bottom. From there, simply let it simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. This tends to yield the best results for this. Do this before using a soft cooking utensil, such as a silicone spatula or a wooden spoon, to scrape away burnt particles. Dish soap or vinegar can also be added to the water while it’s simmering for added cleaning power against caked-on grease and fats.
2. Let it Soak Overnight
An easier way is to try is that of letting it soak in your sink overnight. First, remove as many of the burnt-on bits from your pot or pan as possible. Do this before filling it with hot water and dish soap. From there, place a lid on top of the pot or pan and simply leave it overnight. During this time, the dish soap should gradually break down the burnt food. When you wake up in the morning, you can more easily scrape it away. This can even be safe on non-stick pans if you use a soft utensil or sponge to remove the debris.
3. Try the Dryer Sheet Hack
This one may sound a little unconventional, but it works! If you have dryer sheets lying around, try filling the burnt pot or pan with hot water before adding a dryer sheet (or two). Make sure that the dryer sheet itself is fully submerged under the water. Then, let it sit for a few hours and work its magic. The chemicals found in the dryer sheet should help to lift the debris from your cookware.
Remove the dryer sheet after a few hours and set it aside before draining the pot or pan. Use the dryer sheet to scrub away the rest of the burnt debris if you are working with anything besides a non-stick pan. Otherwise, you’ll want to use something a little more gentle, such as a silicone spatula.
4. Clean With Lemon Juice
The acidity from a little lime juice can go a long way in removing burnt-on grime. For this method, you’ll want to begin by filling the pot or pan with warm water. Take some sliced lemons and add them to the water before covering the pot/pan and bringing the water to a boil. Allow the lemons to boil for about five minutes before turning off the heat.
Remove your pot/pan from the heat and allow it to cool. This may take a while. Dump out the water along with the lemons and scrub the burnt debris from your cookware away once it has cooled.
5. Clean With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Last but not least, consider making your own cleaning solution for burnt pots and pans using baking soda and vinegar. Keep in mind that baking soda is abrasive, so scrubbing with it could cause damage to non-stick coatings.
You’ll need a cup of distilled white vinegar, a couple of cups of water, two tablespoons of baking soda, and a spatula or wooden spoon to create the cleaning mixture. Begin by adding water and vinegar to the burnt cookware and bringing it to a boil. From there, turn off the heat and move your pot to the sink. Add the baking soda, which will cause the mixture to fizz (this is why you brought your pot into the sink), and let it sit for several minutes.
Dump everything out of the pan and down into your sink drain before using your spatula or spoon to scrape away at any remaining debris once the fizzing seems to be settling down. You can repeat this entire process a couple more times for especially stubborn debris.
How to Avoid Scorched Pots in the Future
These are just a few effective methods for cleaning burnt pots and pans. However, to avoid scorched cookware in the future, there are some additional tips worth keeping in mind. For starters, be careful to never step away from your stove while cooking. When using high heat on the stovetop, be sure to stir your food regularly to prevent burning.
Use a non-stick spray or cooking oil to preventing foods from getting burned onto the pan. The best course of action to save it is to remove the food immediately and run cold water from your sink over the cookware itself if a pot or pan begins to scorch. This will help to stop the cooking process and prevent further scorching.
Pots and pans made of quality materials will also be less likely to burning and scorching and easier to clean. It may be worth it to spend a little more money on a quality set of cookware rather than having to replace low-quality cookware due to scorching down the road.
Finally, when cooking on a gas stovetop, always choose a burner that’s appropriate for the size of your pot or pan. Placing a small pot on a large burner will cause flames to lick up the side of the pot, resulting in scorching or burning. This will help keep your stovetop clean as well.
Keep Your Kitchen Clean and in Tip-Top Shape
It’s important to care for your cookware. However, this can be a lot of work. Hire a house cleaning service to handle other aspects of housekeeping. This can save you time and reduce stress and keep your kitchen clean. Valet Maids offers a wide range of cleaning services to suit your needs, including deep-cleaning and routine cleaning for your entire home.
Contact Valet Maids today to request your service or schedule from the convenience of your computer. We look forward to helping you keep not just your kitchen, but your entire home in tip-top shape for an affordable price. You can easily book online at ValetMaids.com or by calling 214-438-4804.
