How to Clean a Burnt Pot or Pan: Cleaning Hacks

It happens to the best of us. You’re cooking in your favorite pot or pan, and the phone rings, your kid starts crying, or your favorite episode of Survivor comes on, and you get distracted. Before you know it, your food and your pot are ruined. I often get asked how to clean a burnt pot.

The truth is, there is more than one way to clean burnt pots, and the best method will depend on what your pot is made of and how it got burnt. Sometimes cleaning with vinegar or baking soda will be your best bet. Other times, dishwashing tablets might be the solution! Let’s dive into all the ways to clean a burnt pot, so you can make the right decisions and save your cookware!

The Boiling Water Method

Believe it or not, boiling water alone can treat burnt pots. Before you spend ten minutes frustratedly scrubbing a burnt pot to no avail, try this method.

1. Scrub the Pot: Remove as much of the burnt area as possible with a spatula or scrub brush.

2. Boil Water: Fill the pot with water, ensuring it covers the burnt area plus a little more. Bring this to a boil and let it boil for about five minutes.

3. Scrub Again: Dump out the water and scrub with the most abrasive sponge or scouring pad appropriate for your pot. For mild char, boiling water will soften the areas and allow you to scrub better.

Cleaning with Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner. If you haven’t seen any of those articles, I recommend checking out 7 Clever Ways to Clean with Vinegar. You can often rescue a mildly scorched pan with vinegar and water alone.

1. Prep the Pot: Remove as much of the burnt food as possible and scrub well.

2. Mix Vinegar and Water: Pour equal parts vinegar and water into your pot, enough to cover the burnt area completely, plus a little more.

3. Boil: Bring your vinegar and water to a boil and let it boil on high for five minutes. The acidity of the vinegar should loosen stubborn stains.

4. Cool and Scrub: Let the mixture cool in the pot, then dump it out and scrub well.

Cleaning with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Sometimes vinegar alone isn’t enough, but you still want to stick to natural cleaning products or items you already have at home in your pantry. That’s where baking soda comes in.

1. Prep the Pot: Remove as much of the burnt food as possible.

2. Boil Vinegar: Fill your pot with undiluted vinegar, enough to cover all burnt areas. Bring this to a boil, then turn down the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes.

3. Add Baking Soda: Remove the pot from the heat. When the vinegar cools slightly, add three tablespoons of baking soda (or more for a large pot). The baking soda will react to the vinegar by fizzing up, so do this part in the sink.

4. Scrub Thoroughly: When the fizzing stops, dump the liquid and give your pot a thorough scrub. If you encounter any stubborn spots, sprinkle in a little more baking soda and scrub again.

Dishwasher Tablets to the Rescue

Dishwasher tablets and detergents are created specifically to break down food, making them great for tackling stubborn pot burns. But don’t just throw your pot in the dishwasher with a tablet; try this hack instead.

1. Prep the Pot: Scrub as much of the burnt area off as possible.

2. Boil Water with a Tablet: Fill your pot with enough water to cover the burnt parts. Add a dishwasher tablet or one tablespoon of detergent. Bring this to a boil and then simmer for ten minutes.

3. Scrub and Repeat: Dump the water and scrub thoroughly. If there are still stains after the first round, repeat until clean.

Conclusion

Accidentally burning a pot is super frustrating, but luckily, there are many methods to save your cookware. Whether you use boiling water, vinegar, baking soda, or dishwasher tablets, each method has its own advantages depending on the severity of the burn and the type of pot.

Always remember to test a small area before using any cleaning product on the full item to avoid damaging your cookware. With these hacks, you can restore your burnt pots and pans to their former glory and get back to cooking without worry. Happy cleaning!

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