How to Clean Ceramic Pans

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu and Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: November 11, 2022 References

Want to clean your ceramic pan so it looks brand new again? Whether your ceramic cookware has crust, scuffs, or scorch marks, you can rescue it with some simple steps and household supplies. If you want to give those ceramic pans you treasure a tune-up, read on! With our handy guide, you’ll refresh them so they last for years.

Things You Should Know

Let ceramic pans cool down to room temp before cleaning them.
Use lightly abrasive cleaning products to tackle scuffs and scratches.
Scrub pans down with a non-scratch sponge or a microfiber cloth.
Take preventative action to keep your ceramic pans in great shape.

1

Let your ceramic pan cool first.

Avoid warping or cracking by letting your pan return to room temp. Take your ceramic pan off the stove and set it on a counter or a placemat. Wait about 10-15 minutes.^{[1]
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Research source} When you give your pan some time to gradually cool off, it won’t shatter from “thermal shock” because of an extreme temperature change.^{[2]
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2

Wash your ceramic pan with soapy water.

Dissolve oil and food with just a couple drops of dish soap. Take out some mild dish detergent and pour 3-4 drops onto the pan. Add just a small amount of warm water and wipe down any grime or crust with a non-scratch scrub sponge. Leave the soapy water in your pan for 15 minutes, then rinse it out.^{[3]
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3

Use baking soda to clean off food particles.

Reach for baking soda since it’s mildly abrasive and breaks down crud. If you’ve got a lot of burnt residue from meals on your pan, grab your baking soda. Drizzle about 2 tbsp (28.3 g) of the baking soda onto all the dirty spots on your pan. Wait 25 minutes. Then, dampen a non-scratch scrub sponge. Using circular motions, work it into all the stains to clean them.^{[4]
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Research source} Rinse with water and repeat if necessary.
- Alternatively, you can create a mixture of baking soda and vinegar and gently scrub the stains with this paste, using a towel or a microfiber cloth.

4

Buff off mild stains with some salt.

Drizzle salt over greasy spots since it's such a great scrubbing agent. Pour warm water into your pan and add a generous amount of salt—about 5-6 tbsp (70.87 g) works. Wait 20-30 minutes. Then, add 2-3 drops of mild dish detergent. Rub down your pan with a non-scratch scrub sponge.^{[5]
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5

Scrub away tough stains with white vinegar.

Combine vinegar and water to make an acidic mix that fights buildup. Scrape off large chunks of burnt food with a rubber spatula. Then, mix a solution that's 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts warm water. Pour the mix into your pan and place it on the stove over medium-high heat. Let the solution boil for 3-4 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the pan return to room temp. Scrub down the pan with a soft sponge.^{[6]
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6

Lighten dark stains with hydrogen peroxide.

Erase scorch marks with the bleaching power of hydrogen peroxide. Pour about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of 3% hydrogen peroxide into your pan. Check to see if the spots and scorch marks are bubbling—that’s a sign that the chemical reaction is working. Wait 30 minutes for the hydrogen peroxide to break up dark stains. Rub down the dissolved stains with a microfiber cloth to clean them off.^{[7]
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7

Remove scuff marks with a powdered cleanser.

Rub away scratches with the abrasive minerals in oxalic acid powder. Try a brand like Bar Keeper’s Friend. Pour enough water into the pan to coat it. Then, sprinkle in 2-3 shakes of oxalic acid powder. Wait about 10 minutes. Gently buff out the stains with a non-scratch sponge or microfiber cloth.^{[8]
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8

Loosen up grit and grease with a dryer sheet.

Soften grimy particles with the chemicals in a dryer sheet. Place 1 dryer sheet at the bottom of your ceramic pan. Then, pour about 1 cup (240 mL) of hot water over the dryer sheet to submerge it. Wait 3 hours. Drain the dirty water from your pan, let it air dry for 24 hours, then give it a good rinse.^{[9]
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9

Tackle grease buildup with an enzyme cleaner.

Break down crust with the chemical reaction from an enzyme cleaner. Grab a spray bottle of enzyme cleaner and spritz all the oily stains or burnt food on your pan. Wait 3 minutes for the enzymes to dissolve the residue. Dampen a non-scratch sponge with water and dish soap, then wipe everything down. Dry your pan with a microfiber cloth.^{[10]
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Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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10

Take preventive action to maintain your pans.

With some TLC, your pans will look brand-new for years to come. They’re definitely worth the effort! Since ceramic pans don’t have any chemical additives and they don’t need much oil when you’re cooking, they’re a great staple in your kitchen. In order to keep your ceramic pans in their best shape, make sure to:^{[11]
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- Use plastic, wood, nylon, or silicone utensils to avoid scratches.
- Place empty pans on very low heat so you don’t scorch them.
- Turn on very low heat if you cook food without liquid so it doesn't burn.
- Store your ceramic pans carefully so other cookware don’t scuff them.
- Season your pans with oil to restore their nonstick qualities.^{[12]
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EXPERT TIP

Susan Stocker

Green Cleaning Expert

Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert

Avoid using lemon or anything else acidic to clean your ceramic. If the finish on ceramic is starting to wear, lemon—which has a high acid content—can cause it to wear out more quickly, and it can erode the finish.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can I use a Scrotch-Brite sponge from my pan?

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In order to avoid damaging your ceramic pan, try a Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge!
Question

How do I clean the back of my pan? I'm getting stains on both the bottom and side of the pan.

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If the back and sides of your pan are enamel, use a gentle household cleaner like baking soda—that way, you won't chip or rub off this special type of paint.
Question

I found a scratch on my pan. Can I still cook with it?

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Your ceramic pan is probably still functional if there's just one small scratch! If you're bothered by the look of a lightly scratched pan, though, use an oxalic acid powder—like Bar Keeper's Friend—to remove any scuff marks. Rinse and dry your pan, then cook your food with a newly restored pan.