How to Clean a Burnt Non Stick Pan
If your pan has been burned, the first step should be ensuring it has cooled sufficiently so it can be handled. Once this step has been completed, there are various easy solutions available to repair it.
Baking soda is an invaluable baking ingredient, offering mild abrasiveness without harming pans and being acidic enough to break down baked-on food.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a multipurpose pantry staple that should be included in every kitchen pantry. This mildly abrasive cleaning ingredient works wonders as a non-toxic scouring agent for burning on food debris without damaging pans made from coated or ceramic non stick surfaces. Simply spread some baking soda on any affected areas and leave for several hours or overnight before using nylon scrubber or non scratching sponge to gently scrub away remaining stains, food residue or odors before rinsing and drying the pan afterwards.
Alternatively, for severely burned nonstick pans that require additional attention and serious scrubbing, this method may involve more intensive scrubbng. To preserve your pan’s nonstick coating and avoid damage to its surface, always use nylon scrubbers or sponges specifically made for it – any steel wool or heavy duty scouring pads could scratch or disfigure its delicate material surface and may result in the destruction of it altogether.
Start by soaking your pan in a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar to loosen oil and food scraps that have hardened on its surface. While your pan is soaking, combine equal parts white vinegar and baking soda to form a paste and use this to scrub any charred spots of your pan before rinsing, drying, and seasoning with cooking oil as necessary.
Stainless steel pans can withstand more abuse than most types of cookware, yet you should avoid using metal or abrasive cleaning tools when cleaning them. A gentle scrub using soap and hot water might not do the trick; try soaking the pan in salt water mixed with dish soap for an overnight soak, and then using nylon brush or non-scratching sponge to scrub before rinsing off before drying off completely.
When it comes to stainless steel pans that have become stained or discolored due to burnt-on gunk, ketchup can also be an effective solution. The acid in it helps break down copper oxide that forms when burning occurs – just allow it to soak for several minutes in your pan before scrubbng it away with soapy water.
Vinegar
As its name implies, vinegar is an effective natural solvent capable of dissolving even stubborn burnt gunk. Combine equal parts baking soda and vinegar into a paste before using a sponge or washcloth to scrub away burned-on residue. This cleaning solution is great for loosening caked-on stains on non stick surfaces while still being gentle enough for daily use.
Cream of tartar has mild abrasive qualities similar to baking soda that allow it to effectively scrub stubborn stains without damaging pans. Furthermore, its acidic nature helps break down fatty buildup which contributes to gunk buildup on non stick pans. For maximum effectiveness of this abrasive kitchen staple, combine it with white vinegar into a paste before applying it directly over troublesome spots using either a soft sponge or washcloth as needed.
An effective way to quickly clean a burnt nonstick pan is soaking it in hot water mixed with degreasing dish soap. As degreasers help break down grease and dried foods, soaking can make it easier to loosen burnt residue from your pan and use soft sponge or washcloth dipped in hot water to scrub the burnt areas until all evidence of burnt areas have been eliminated.
After you are finished scrubbing, rinse the pan thoroughly with hot water to wash away any residual soap or debris, and use a paper towel to dry it before reusing it.
Nonstick coatings can deteriorate over time, and even when maintained regularly it’s easy for accidental burns to happen. Knowing how to effectively clean a burnt nonstick pan can keep this invaluable piece of cookware lasting longer and performing at its peak performance.
Maintaining the condition of a nonstick pan requires proper care and handling, such as only using wooden or plastic spoons, spatulas and whisks in it. Furthermore, avoid heating it over high temperatures, and do not place in dishwasher (unless specifically stated as suitable) in order to prolong its usefulness for years of reliable service. This will ensure your nonstick coating lasts as long as possible and provides reliable results!
Dish Soap
Nonstick pans can be cleaned quickly and efficiently using just soap and water. Assuming your burnt pan is still cool, fill it with hot water mixed with degreasing dish soap for at least an hour to let the soapy water break down the burnt oil and food residue before using a rough side sponge or non-metal scrubber to gently rub away burnt food particles from your nonstick surface. Chainmail or heavy-duty scrub brushes could scratch its delicate coating.
Cleaning nonstick pans using this approach is one of the easiest and most popular approaches, since all that’s necessary is dishwashing liquid and some elbow grease. Depending on how bad the burn is, it may require using nylon or polypropylene scrub brushes until all blackened food residue has been eliminated from its surface. Once rinsed and dried thoroughly, lightly coat your nonstick coating with cooking oil in order to extend and protect its longevity.
If your nonstick pan has become marred with scrambled egg or grilled cheese residue, soaking it with lemon water may help remove it and any unpleasant odors associated with burnt food from your kitchen, leaving behind a freshly cleaned, burnt food-free pan that looks brand new.
Well-maintained nonstick pans may last several years when properly cared for, but over time the slippery coating that allows food to slide right off will start to wear down. Even though your nonstick is labeled as dishwasher safe, high temperatures and harsh detergents may accelerate its decline; for maximum effectiveness you should wash it by hand whenever possible. Try these tried-and-true methods for removing stubborn burnt food residue to save your favorite nonsticks from being trashed forever; otherwise it may be time for replacement pans instead.
Aluminum Foil
If baking soda fails to deliver on its promise of food removal, crumpling up some aluminum foil and using it as a scrubber may be more successful in loosening stuck-on food particles. The abrasive metal helps break up burnt bits of gunk while being gentle enough not to damage nonstick or ceramic coatings – just make sure you protect your hands so as to not get burned when using this method!
If aluminum foil is unavailable to you, other household items can help clean your burnt non stick pan. Steel wool is one such abrasive that can be used to scrape away stubborn burnt gunk from metal pans; cream of tartar mixed with vinegar may also work for scrubbable areas of concern. Remember to wait for your pan to cool before attempting any scrubbability efforts in order not to scratch its nonstick or ceramic coating surface.
As an alternative approach, try soaking your pan in hot soapy water for up to an hour – this should loosen any stuck-on food particles and may help restore its look! After this soaking period has expired, simply scrub away loosened particles using an old sponge.
Mix equal parts water and vinegar together to create an effective cleaning solution, and use this to dissolve burned-on gunk. Plus, acidic vinegar helps loosen stuck-on food for easier removal! Once it has set up, use it to scrub your nonstick pan.
If a simple soak or scrub aren’t doing the trick, boiling some water with some dish soap may help dissolve stuck-on food and loosen hardened gunk. Once this solution has cooled down, nylon scrubbers can then be used to scrub off burnt food debris.
Nonstick cookware can make meal prep much simpler, but it can become frustrating if your pans start looking discolored or covered with grime. By maintaining good condition for these pans, they will last longer while giving the best results when used for cooking.
