Burnt Pots and Pans? Skip the Steel Scrubber - Use This Instead for a Sparkling Clean in Minutes!

To clean burnt stains on pots and pans, you can use simple household ingredients.

Baking soda, in addition to being a cooking ingredient, is an effective cleaning agent. It has mild abrasive properties and is alkaline, which helps neutralize acidic burnt food residues. When combined with acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice, baking soda creates a fizzing reaction that helps loosen stubborn food particles from cookware.

1.  Cleaning with Baking Soda

1. First, heat the pan on the stove until a drop of water sizzles upon contact.
2. Pour one cup of water or a 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar into the pan and bring it to a boil. For larger pots and pans, increase the amount of liquid.
3. Once the water is boiling, use a spoon or spatula to scrape off loosened food debris. When most of the burnt food has detached, pour out the water and residue.
4. Sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface of the pan and let it cool.
5. Finally, wash the pan as usual.

For stubborn burnt stains inside or on the bottom of the pan, mix baking soda with water to create a thick paste. Apply this paste generously to the stained areas and let it sit for a few hours or overnight.
Afterward, scrub with more baking soda to remove the remaining stains.

2.  Cleaning with Baking Soda and Vinegar

For an even more effective cleaning method, combine baking soda and vinegar:

1. Pour vinegar into the pan, ensuring it covers the entire burnt surface.
2. Place the pan on the stove and bring the vinegar to a boil.
3. Turn off the heat and immediately add baking soda to the pan.
4. The baking soda will react with the vinegar, creating a bubbling effect that helps lift stubborn grime.
5. Allow the reaction to subside and let the vinegar cool slightly before discarding the liquid.
6. Scrub the pan to remove any remaining burnt residue.

3.  Cleaning with Baking Soda and Lemon

Baking soda can also be combined with lemon to make an effective natural cleaner:

1. Dampen the pan, then sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface.
2. Cut a lemon in half and use it as a scrubber, rubbing it over the pan’s surface.
3. As you scrub, add more baking soda to increase friction and enhance cleaning power.

This method works well for both interior and exterior burnt stains on pots and pans.