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Updated on 11/19/22
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Melissa Homer
Reviewed by Melissa Homer
Melissa Homer is a member of The Spruce's Cleaning Review board. She is a trained cleaning professional, consultant, and educator with a two-decade career spanning commercial and professional residential cleaning. Melissa specializes in premium surface care, cleaning safety, cleaning procedure efficiency, cleaning training documentation, and cleaning damage repair.
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Sarah Scott
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.
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The Spruce / Ana Cadena
In This Article
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Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
Baking Soda and Dish Soap Method
Alka-Seltzer Method
Dryer Sheet Method
Baking Soda and Lemon Method
Dishwasher Tablet Method
Aluminum Foil Method
Preventing Pot Burns
Project Overview
- Total Time: 15 mins - 12 hrs
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Estimated Cost: $0
If cooking a meal has left you with a nasty mess on your pots or pans, here's how to clean a burnt pan quickly. Steel wool works to remove burnt food, but it's incredibly harsh on non-stick pots and pans. Hot water helps, but it is not enough. You can use commercial products, but most are relatively expensive. Some easy remedies with common household ingredients include:
- Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) and vinegar, dish soap, or lemon
- Alka-Seltzer
- Dishwasher tablets
- Dryer sheets
- Aluminum foil
These methods work well for most types of pots or pans, with a few exceptions.
- Non-stick pots and pans: Steer clear of the aluminum foil abrasive method. This method can scratch these pots and pans easily. Avoid dishwasher detergent because it is too harsh for the non-stick coating.
- Cast iron pots and pans: Avoid prolonged soaking since cast iron will rust with sitting water. Safe methods for cast iron pots and pans: baking soda and vinegar or vinegar, a dryer sheet, and a dishwasher tablet.
Never use pans with burnt food caked on the bottom; it can be a fire hazard. Also, any residue left inside the pot or pan can alter the taste of the food you cook. Read on to learn how to save money by using one of these seven easy remedies using everyday household products.
Featured Video
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
All Methods (Except Aluminum Foil)
Aluminum Foil Method
- Sheet of aluminum foil
Materials
Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
- Water
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
Baking Soda and Dish Soap Method
- Water
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
Alka-Seltzer Method
- 6 Alka Seltzer tablets
- Water
Dryer Sheet Method
- 1 Dryer sheet
- Water
Baking Soda and Lemon Method
- Water
- Baking soda
- Lemon
Dishwasher Tablet Method
- Water
- Dishwasher detergent tablet
Aluminum Foil Method
- Salt (Optional)
- Baking soda (Optional)
Instructions
Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
Mixing baking soda and white vinegar together creates a cleaning solution that is very successful in loosening and removing most burnt-on foods from almost all types of pots and pans, including a badly burnt stainless steel pot or pan. The baking soda and vinegar method can get your pot or pan shiny like new, also cleaning away scorch marks.
The effectiveness of this method stems from the combination of abrasion plus a chemical reaction that occurs when acidic vinegar combines with alkaline, abrasive baking soda.
- Best for: All types of pots and pans
Boil Water in the Pan
Boil a mixture of water and vinegar (equal parts or each) in the pan to loosen the burned-on food.
The Spruce / Ana CadenaAdd Baking Soda to Warm Pan
Remove the pan from the heat, carefully dump out the liquid, and add baking soda. When the pan has cooled enough to touch it, add more baking soda and scrub it with a scouring sponge, nylon brush, or polycarbonate plastic scraper.
Tip
Polycarbonate plastic has adequate hardness to scrape off burnt food without damaging nonstick and cast iron polymerized oil coatings.
Fizzing Action Loosens Burnt Bits
By scraping the loosened bits first while they are still warm, the baking soda and vinegar fizz can concentrate its efforts on the remaining stuck bits rather than the already softened food residue on top.
Baking Soda and Dish Soap Method
For baking pans with baked-on gunk, one of the best solutions is a mix of baking soda, hot water, and dishwashing liquid.
- Best for: Aluminum, stainless steel, enamel-coated, and copper; avoid soaking cast-iron
Make Cleaning Mixture
Mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup warm water, and a tablespoon of dish soap. Allow the pot or pan to soak for 30 to 60 minutes.
Scrub Away the Burnt Residue
Scrub out the pots and pans with a plastic scrubber, double checking curves of the dish.
Repeat Mixture and Boil for Stubborn Residue
For stubborn, stuck-on residue, make the cleaning mixture and heat the stove pan until it boils. You will need less effort to scrub away the residue.
Alka-Seltzer Method
Alka-Seltzer is an amazing workhorse of a product. Not only can it relieve indigestion, but it can also help you clean a surprising range of things around the house, including burned-on food.
- Best for: All types of pots and pans; avoid soaking cast-iron
Dissolve Six Alka-Seltzer Tablets in Hot Water
Add hot water to your pot or pan and add six Alka-Seltzer tablets, allow them to fizz. The citric acid in the Alka-Seltzer creates the fizzing action that breaks down the burnt-on residue. Allow it to sit for an hour.
The Spruce / Ana CadenaScrub Away Residue with Hot Water and Dish Detergent
Spill out the Alka-Seltzer solution and add hot water and detergent to the pot or pan. Use a scrubber to loosen and easily scrub the mess away.
Dryer Sheet Method
A strange-but-true option for cleaning grungy pots or pans is to use a new or used dryer sheet. The silicone coating on the dryer sheet will help soften the food.
Best for: All types of pots and pans; avoid soaking cast-iron
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 it's 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
Using a real lemon as a scrubbing tool after applying baking soda is remarkably effective with stainless steel or copper pots and pans. The chemical reaction between the lemon and baking soda will help loosen the burnt-on material.
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.
Dishwasher Tablet Method
Clean off burnt-on food inside a pot or pan by dissolving and presoaking a dishwasher tablet in the vessel.
Best for: Most all pots and pans; the exception is non-stick pots or pans since the detergent is too harsh for the coating
Boil Water and Dissolve Dishwasher Tablet in Pot or Pan
Fill the pot with a shallow layer of boiling hot water and a dishwasher detergent tablet. Place it on the stove and heat to medium to high heat until the water boils. Allow it to boil for two minutes.
Allow Solution to Cool and Scrub Away Residue
Turn off the stove and allow the water to cool. Using a dish brush or scrubbing sponge, wash away the residue build-up inside the pan.
Aluminum Foil Method
Instead of a sponge or scrub brush, aluminum foil can be substituted as a scrubber. This method is very abrasive, so avoid using this on non-stick pans, seasoned cast iron pans, or bare stainless steel.
Best for: Enamel-coated, aluminum, or food-grade stainless steel (contains chromium and nickel)
Ball Up Sheet of Aluminum Foil
In a pinch, you can use a wadded-up ball of aluminum foil to scrub non-stick pots and pans. For extra scrubbing power, add a layer of salt or baking soda.
Preventing Pot Burns
- One of the most important ways to avoid pot burn is properly oiling the bottom of your pan before cooking and waiting to put your food in till the pan has come to temperature. When you put food in a cold or dry pan, food sticks to the bottom more and can lead to more burnt bits by the end of the cooking cycle.
- When browning chicken or other poultry, it is important to give the meat time to actually brown before you adjust it, as moving under-browned skin can cause it to stick and tear, leading to more burnt bits at the end.
- When you are finished cooking and the pan is still hot and on the stovetop, throw in a 1/2 cup of water or wine to deglaze the pan and scrape up food bits with a wooden spoon. This not only helps to clean but could potentially be the start of a delicious finishing sauce, so long as your bits aren't too burnt.
- Invest in a good wooden spoon and a timer to avoid running into food-burning situations.
How to Clean a Burnt Pot
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