Cleaning burned pans: Home remedies for a spotless kitchen

Preventing burns is, of course, the ideal solution, but it's easier said than done. In a moment of inattention, meat or vegetables can develop a brown crust, leaving the pan needing cleaning. Here are some home remedies that can help in such situations.

Burnt foods are unhealthy, and we have discussed this on numerous occasions. For this reason, it's essential to thoroughly clean utensils to remove all traces of burning. If not done, each subsequent use will exacerbate the problem. Pans not adequately cleaned will burn much faster in unwashed areas.

Regardless of the material their coating is made of, pans do not fare well with scrubbing pads or even abrasive sponges, as these can easily damage them. What about using a dishwasher? Yes and no. Only pans with a unique mark, often made of glass, enamel, steel, or titanium, can be safely washed in a dishwasher. However, most nonstick pans have coatings that wear off quickly in a dishwasher. Cast iron utensils are also not dishwasher-safe. Generally, it's best to clean pans by hand without solid scrubbing. Fortunately, there are practical and inexpensive ways to do this.

You can clean a burnt pan using two everyday kitchen products: baking powder and salt. Sprinkle the burnt residues with baking powder and salt, then cover with a paper towel and pour dishwashing liquid over it, followed by vinegar. This mixture will work effectively in about 10 minutes. The burnt residue under the paper will soften and dissolve. Then, wipe the pan with the soaked paper towel and rinse it under running water.

Another method also uses everyday kitchen products. Pour vinegar into the pan, then add a cup of water. Heat it until the mixture boils. Remove the pan from the burner and add a teaspoon of baking soda. When the water cools, gently wash the pan. If the pan is heavily burnt, leave the mixture in it for several hours. Then, clean the pan, and there should be no trace of burns.

If the burns are minor, sprinkle them with salt. The salt penetrates the stains and helps with thorough cleaning; leaving it for 2-3 hours is best. After that, remove the salt and gently wash the pan with a sponge and dishwashing liquid. You can also fill the pan with water and dishwashing liquid for minor damage for a few hours.