If you have a Stainless Steel Pan that has been badly burned, you may be wondering if you should attempt to clean it or just throw it away. Luckily, Stainless Steel is incredibly durable and can be cleaned using a few household items and a little elbow grease. Read on to learn how to clean a burnt Stainless Steel Pan so it looks new, no matter how badly you burnt your scrambled eggs or scorched your chicken breast. Show
Our Favorite: Made In Make It New CleanerThis cleaner was specifically made for cleaning our Stainless Clad Pans, and does a great job at removing burnt-on food. Similar to the directions above, all you do is wet the surface of the pan, sprinkle some of the powdered cleaner on it, and get to scrubbing. It even removes water stains. We don’t recommend using it on our Non Stick or Carbon Steel Pans. Best for: Burnt-on food, scorched pans Runner Up: Bar Keeper’s FriendThis multi-purpose cleaning powder has been around since 1882 and is great for removing burnt food from pots and pans. It was originally designed for use in saloons around the time of prohibition, though we prefer it for our pots and pans. Sprinkle some of the powder on the burnt surface, and scrub with a sponge, scrub brush, or soap pad. It will remove all traces of the burn without damaging your pan's nonstick coating. This product also works well for cleaning stainless steel sinks, faucets, and other surfaces in your kitchen. Best for: Burnt-on food, scorched pans More Suggestions:Baking Soda The alkalizing properties of baking soda neutralize acids, which are responsible for most food stains. It is commonly used as a scrubbing agent. In combination with water or another liquid, it forms a mildly abrasive paste that can be used to remove stubborn burnt on food and stains from various surfaces. With a plastic scouring pad or sponge, scrub some baking soda over the burnt areas of your pan. Rinse out your pan under running water and repeat steps 1 and 2 until all traces of burnt food are gone. Best for: Burned food, stains Vinegar The acidity of vinegar will help cut through any grease or residue on the outside of your pan, as well as neutralize any alkalinity left behind by the food. Put one part vinegar in a pot with three parts water and let it sit overnight. After 24 hours, add two tablespoons of baking soda and let it sit for another 12 hours before scrubbing the stain away with a sponge or soft cloth. Best for: Burnt-on food, stains, scorched pans Salt This is one of the easiest ways to clean burnt pans, and it works great on all types of metal surfaces. Simply sprinkle salt onto the affected area and let it sit for five minutes before scrubbing it off with a sponge or scouring pad. Salt is abrasive and works similar to powdered cleaners. Best for: Burnt-on stains, scorched pans, etc. Vinegar and Baking Soda Scrub the pan with a damp sponge and sprinkle baking soda on the bottom. The baking soda will act as an abrasive agent, helping you remove the burnt food particles. Add some vinegar to the pan after you've scrubbed for a few minutes. The vinegar will react with the baking soda to create bubbles, which will help loosen any remaining food. Best for: Burnt-on stains, scorched pans, etc. Ready to Clean?Cleaning a burnt Stainless Steel Pan is easier than you might think. You only need a few simple items to get the job done. The most challenging part is to resist the urge to rush the process. It may take some time, but the effort is well worth it to be cooking with a shiny, like-new Stainless Steel Pan. Shop Stainless Clad1.Remove Badly Burnt Food from Your Pot or SaucepanIt only takes a second for your eggs, sauce or other food to get scorched. Any distraction or discrepancy in timing and you can be fanning the smoke detector and staring at a burnt pot that seems beyond saving. While the food you were cooking is ruined (time for takeout, maybe?), your stainless steel saucepan isn’t, even if it’s oxidized, blackened, discolored, or covered in stubborn charred debris. Reach for your ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda and follow these steps to clean the burnt pan and get it back in commission in your kitchen. How to Clean a Burnt Stainless Steel or Aluminum PanWith some basic kitchen staples, there are several techniques you can use to clean a badly burnt stainless steel pan. You’ll need baking soda, water, and white vinegar, and a scouring pad and scraper, such as a wooden spatula. One method uses a fresh lemon, cut in half. Baking soda is your go-to for cleaning a burnt pot or pan because it has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralize acidic burnt foods. It can also combine with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice to create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food to get it off your pan. The Deglazing TechniqueYou may have used the deglazing technique to loosen flavorful bits from the pan to make a sauce or gravy. In this method, you have to loosen the burnt on food first, deglaze the pan, then use baking soda to scrub.
The Baking Soda & Water MethodIf you have a scorched pan with burnt food, you can use baking soda and water to get the job done.
You can also use baking soda in this way to wash pots and pans regularly and help prevent scorched stains or burnt-on residue. The Baking Soda & Vinegar MethodFor a more heavy duty cleaning, add white vinegar to the baking soda and let kitchen chemistry help break down burnt food on your scorched pan.
The Baking Soda & Lemon MethodLemons are a great way to clean and shine stainless steel or copper cookware. Combined with the power of baking soda, you can remove black, yellow, or rainbow oxidization stains and help restore a burnt pan. It’s easy if you follow these steps:
Remove Burnt Food and Stains on a Non-Stick or Ceramic PanNon-stick pans can retain stains, flavors, and odors, especially from scorched oil. But you can’t use metal tools or scrubbing pads without risking harm to their non-stick surface. Luckily, you can neutralize and clean coated or ceramic non-stick pans with baking soda, water, and a nylon brush or non-scratching sponge.
How to Get Burnt Food Off a Cast Iron SkilletIf you’ve burnt food in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven, keep water, soap and acidic items such as vinegar or lemon juice away from your pan as they can create rust and destroy the pan’s seasoning. Baking soda, however, is still your friend when it comes to cleaning up a burnt food mess from your cast iron pan. Most times, you can clean your cast iron pan using hot water and a brush, but sometimes you’ll get a burnt-on mess or you want to give your pan a deep cleaning. After using this cast-iron safe method to remove the burnt food, coat the pan with oil to help re-season and restore its non-stick surface.
More Ways to Clean With ARM & HAMMER Baking SodaBaking soda is a versatile natural cleaner that can be used around your home to help with everyday cleaning and seasonal deep cleans. For more tips on using baking soda to clean your home, explore these articles:
How do you get burn stains out of stainless steel pans?Soak your pan in a solution of green dish soap, hot water, and oxygen bleach liquid or powder, such as Seventh Generation's Natural Oxy Stain Remover. Let it sit for a while. It should come off easily. Use with an oxygen bleach powder if you have it.
Is a burnt stainless steel pan ruined?If there are any remaining burn stains, not to worry! Just add a tablespoon of baking soda to the empty pan and use a scouring pad to massage the bottom of the pot. After removing all the burn marks rinse the pot thoroughly with tap water.
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