Your mind wandered for a moment, the oil carbonised and the bottom turned black. Before you give it up for lost, try this: how to clean a burnt pan depends above all on what it's made of, and in most cases hot water, bicarbonate of soda and a little patience are all you need. Here are the methods that work inside and out, and the mistakes that ruin it for good.
- First, check what the pan is made of
- How to clean a burnt pan on the inside
- Burnt non-stick pan
- How to clean a burnt pan on the outside
- Mistakes that ruin it
- Frequently asked questions
First, check what the pan is made of
What rescues a steel pan can scratch a non-stick one beyond repair. This table will save you the heartache:
| Material | What to use | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Non-stick or ceramic | Water and bicarbonate of soda brought to the boil, soft sponge | Metal scourers and abrasive powders |
| Stainless steel | Vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, non-scratch scourer | Long soaks in bleach |
| Uncoated aluminium | Diluted vinegar, soap | Long soaks with bicarbonate of soda (they darken it) |
| Cast iron | Coarse salt, a brush and oil when you've finished | Leaving it to soak and the dishwasher |
If in doubt, check the manufacturer's instructions: some pans can't take certain products, even if they look tough.
How to clean a burnt pan on the inside
This is the method that rescues the most pans, and it works for almost every material.
With bicarbonate of soda and boiling water
- Let the pan cool down completely. If you pour cold water onto hot metal, it can warp.
- Cover the burnt area with water and add two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda.
- Put it on the hob and let it boil for five to ten minutes. You'll see the crust start to lift.
- Turn off the heat, let it cool until lukewarm and scrape with a wooden or silicone spatula.
- Finish with hot water, washing-up liquid and a sponge.
This is the most effective way of cleaning a burnt pan with bicarbonate of soda: the heat softens the carbonised residue and the bicarb helps loosen the grease.
With vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, for the most stubborn stains
If stains remain, boil equal parts water and white vinegar for a few minutes, with the kitchen well ventilated. Take it off the heat, add a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda (it will fizz) and scrub once it settles. On stainless steel, this trick usually also removes the bluish rings left by the heat. Don't use it on cast iron: vinegar strips the seasoning.
With bicarbonate of soda paste, no heat needed
Mix bicarbonate of soda with a few drops of water to make a paste, spread it over the burnt area and leave it to work for a few hours. Then scrub with the soft side of the scourer.
How to clean a burnt non-stick pan
Here the rule is to be gentle. Use only the boiled water and bicarbonate of soda method and a soft sponge, without pressing. If it doesn't come off the first time, repeat: two gentle goes are better than one aggressive one.
If the coating is scratched, lifting or flaking off, the sensible thing is to replace the pan: it no longer protects in the same way and food will stick more and more.
How to clean a burnt pan on the outside
The base builds up layers of grease that get cooked on again and again. To remove them:
- Make a thick paste of bicarbonate of soda with a splash of hydrogen peroxide, the kind you buy at the chemist's.
- Spread it over the base and sides and leave it for at least half an hour.
- Scrub with a scourer. If the outside is unpainted steel, it can take a tougher scourer; if it's painted or enamelled, only a soft one.
- Rinse well and dry it before putting it away.
Wear gloves and keep the kitchen ventilated. And never mix bleach with vinegar or with ammonia: they give off toxic gases.
Mistakes that ruin it
- Cooling it suddenly under the tap: it can warp the base, which then no longer sits flat on the hob.
- Heating it empty on a high heat, especially if it's non-stick.
- Putting it in the dishwasher if the manufacturer doesn't say you can.
- Using knives or forks to scrape off what's stuck.
If you also struggle to keep the rest of the kitchen under control, here's how to clean the cooker hood and the ceramic hob without scratching it, which tend to end up just as grubby.
How to stop the pan burning again
- Cook on a medium heat: hardly anything needs the highest setting.
- Use wooden or silicone utensils.
- Wash it as soon as it's lukewarm, before the grease hardens.
- Dry it well and store it without stacking other pans on top, or put a cloth between them.
A tidy kitchen also helps you look after your pots and pans. If you're after ideas for everyday life, take a look at the home products from Velia Select.
Frequently asked questions
Can you clean a burnt pan with cola?
It can help: it's acidic and, if you boil it in the pan for a few minutes, it softens what's stuck on. Even so, vinegar does the same job, usually works out cheaper and doesn't leave any sugary residue.
How do you clean a pan with burnt oil?
Burnt oil leaves a sticky layer. Boil water with bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of washing-up liquid, let it cool until lukewarm and scrub with a sponge. If it's still sticky, repeat with the bicarbonate of soda paste.
When should you throw away a non-stick pan?
When the coating is deeply scratched, lifting, or food sticks even when you use oil. At that point, cleaning won't bring it back.
Can you put a burnt pan in the dishwasher?
Only if the manufacturer allows it, and never as the first step: the dishwasher won't remove carbonised residue. First boil some water and bicarbonate of soda in it, then wash it as usual.