The Art of Revivin’ Charred Cookin’ Vessels

Whether ya be reheatin’ leftover spaghetti a smidge too long or plumb forgettin’ to turn off a stove, most of us have managed to singe our cookin’ vessels. But scorched pots and pans ain’t as dire as it first appears—as long as you savvy how to clean a burnt pot the proper way. And nay, you need not resort to harsh chemicals or steel wool to save your prized saute pan. Even though a burnt pan might look like it’s beyond all hope, you likely got all the requisites to salvage it already; just need baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, lemons, aluminum foil, and a can of fizzing water. 

First step to scrubbin’ a burnt pot or pan be lettin’ it steep in a sink full of hot water and dish soap for 30 minutes. This will break down grease and buildup so you won’t have to use quite so much muscle power, gettin’ your cookin’ utensils back in tip-top shape. So let your burnt pot soak while you read on to learn how to clean a burnt pot and have it gleamin’ afresh. 

Use caution with these cleanin’ methods: Non-stick pots and pans are a different story.  

Boilin’ Water
Sometimes the easiest path to cleanin’ a burnt pan is to revisit the scene of the crime and heat things up anew. Just need stovetop, water, baking soda, and a scrub pad:
Fill the burnt pot or pan with water to hide the charred area.
Bring the water to a boil and let it bubble for five minutes.
Setting the pot on a potholder, allow it to cool.
Pour cooled water out and scrape any residue with a wooden or plastic spatula.
Add two spoonfuls of baking soda to burnt areas, scrub clean with a plastic scrubber, then rinse.

Vinegar and Baking Soda
Distilled white vinegar and baking soda make a natural and mild duo to restore pots and leave them shining again. Brought together, they are a force to be reckoned with against burnt pot surfaces. Avoid mixin’ ’em together directly:
Create a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar, pour in enough to cover the burnt area.
Boil the vinegar and water mixture atop your stove.
Leave it to boil for five minutes.
Pour mixture down the sink drain, then rinse the pan with cool water.
Generously sprinkle baking soda on burnt area.
Scrub away any remainin’ burn marks with a scouring pad, then rinse the pan.

Lemons
Wish to clean a burnt pan without the vinegar aroma in yer kitchen? Lemons be a natural cleaner and can do wonders for charred pots and pans. Give your home a fresh, clean aroma while makin’ your pots shine again:
Cut two lemons into quarters and put them in your burnt pot with water to submerge them.
Bring the water and lemons to a boil, then let it simmer on high for 10 minutes.
Remove the pot and let the water cool for five minutes.
Pour out the water and lemons, then finish scrubbin’ any burn marks with a scrubber and dish soap.
Give it a rinse.

Aluminum Foil
Here’s a neat trick: Use aluminum foil for both old and new marks, it will clean a burnt pan and bring back its shine. It takes a bit more elbow grease than the methods afore, but the foil will tackle even the toughest char on cookware. Grab your foil and commence scrubbin’!
Add hot water to cover the burnt area.
Drop in a bit of dish soap and let it soak for 30 minutes.
Tear off a 12-by-12 inch sheet of aluminum foil and scrunch it into a ball.
With the cooled water still present, vigorously scrub the burn marks until the shine appears.
Clean the pot or pan with dish soap and rinse.

Revivin’ a Scorched Pan with Non-Stick Coat
Don’t be usin’ steel wool on yer non-stick surfaces – plastic scrubbing pads can be just as harmful. To save yer non-stick pot or pan from doom, avoid harsh scrubbing and give these methods a try:

Fizzin’ Water
The fizzy bubbles in club soda and colas do wonders on riddin’ pots and pans of charred food—if given the chance. While the pan is still hot and freshly burnt, pour enough carbonated drink to cover the burnt area, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then wash with soapy water and rinse.

Alka-Seltzer
Your savior for heartburn and stomach ails also works wonders on pots! Pour in hot water, covering the burn marks, add two tablets of Alka-Seltzer, and leave the fizz to get to work. Just wash and rinse away residue afterward.

Baking Soda and Olive Oil
Mix baking soda with olive oil for a mildly abrasive paste gentle enough for non-stick surfaces. Apply the paste to the burnt area, then use a damp cloth to delicately scrub the burn marks away. Simply wash and rinse away the residue.

Now that you know how to clean a burnt pot, dust off your forsaken cookin’ utensils and give them some TLC too! For more tips and tricks to keep your kitchen clean, peruse our DIY guides. Whether you be a DIY-er or need a helpful hand, The Maids are here to support. Learn more about affordable house cleaning services when you get your free, no-strings-attached estimate.