Look no further if you’re trying to figure out what caused the burnt mess at the bottom of your best pan.
Each of us has placed a pot or pan on the stove, looked away for too long, and then returned to find a burnt mess that is nearly impossible to clean up. There’s no escaping the frustration brought on by these occurrences, but don’t worry—there are several ways to get rid of the mess and restore your pans to their former splendor!
Today, I’ll share my three go-to techniques for cleaning burnt food, residue, and stains from pots and pans. I’ll also give you a few extra pointers that will assist you in avoiding similar messes in the future.
Vinegar, baking soda, and water
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- Step back quickly after adding the water to avoid any evaporating steam
- To be extra cautious, turn off your burner, take the pot out of the oven, and wait until it has cooled before scraping the food off.
- Wear heat-resistant cooking gloves if you decide to remove the crust while the stove is still hot to prevent burns.
Dryer Sheet Method
Use a fresh or used dryer sheet to clean dirty pots and pans—it’s a strange but effective solution. The dryer sheet’s silicone coating will aid in softening the food.
Best for: All types of pots and pans; cast-iron skillets shouldn’t be soaked
Soak a Dryer Sheet in Water
Soak a dryer sheet in hot water in the pan or pot with the burnt residue for an hour. Or, if its tough, stuck-on residue, leave it overnight. Use the dryer sheet to wipe away the food without harming the finish of non-stick surfaces. Optionally, you can use a sponge to remove the loosened burnt bits. The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Baking Soda and Lemon Method
With stainless steel or copper pots and pans, using a real lemon as a scrubbing tool after using baking soda is remarkably effective. The burnt-on material will be made more pliable by the chemical reaction between the lemon and baking soda.
Best for: All types of pots and pans
Wash and Scrub as Usual
Begin by removing as much burnt-on food from the pan as possible by normal washing.
Sprinkle Pan Surface With Dusting of Baking Soda
With a small layer of water still in the pan, sprinkle the inside with soda.
Use Half a Lemon as a Scrubber
Cut a lemon in half and use one half as your scouring tool. The baking soda and lemon should react and create a fizzing action to loosen burnt bits.
Tip
If the copper bottom or any type of bottom for your pots and pans are burnt, use the baking soda and lemon method to scrub them clean.
FAQ
How do you get burnt pasta off the bottom of a pot?
Let the pan cool after liberally sprinkling baking soda on its bottom. Scrub the pot bottom hard with a nylon brush or wet scouring sponge. Once all stains and scorched bits have been eliminated, wash and dry as usual.
How do you get rid of burnt noodles?
- 2-3 inches of water should be used to fill the pot or pan. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda.
- After 30 minutes, gently scrub the pot or pan while washing it as usual. The burnt-on food should come off easily.
- If the burnt residue is stubborn, simply repeat the process.
How do I clean a badly burnt pot?
Fill your dirty pan with an equal mixture of vinegar and water. 2 tablespoons of baking soda are then added after bringing the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat and leave the food to sit for up to 15 minutes. After pouring the liquid down the drain, remove any remaining burnt-on debris with a sponge or scouring pad.
How do you remove noodles from stainless steel?
Using a real lemon as a scrubbing tool after using baking soda on stainless steel or copper pots and pans is remarkably effective. Start by washing the pan normally to get rid of as much of the burned-on food as possible.