How to Clean a Burnt Pan

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Burn stains can make your best cookware look old and worn out, no matter how much you scrub. Don’t panic! You don’t need an expensive new set of pans. Some simple household items can lift off even the toughest burn marks.

Here are 10 pro cleaning tricks you can try to get a burnt pan looking new again.

1

Soak the pan with water and dish soap to loosen the gunk.

This is simple, but it might be all you need for minor burns. Just fill the pan with warm water and squeeze a few drops of dish soap in. Then let the pan soak for a few hours and wash it normally with a sponge after. The stains should come off much more easily.^{[1]
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- For more stain-fighting power, add equal parts vinegar and water to this soaking solution. This breaks down caked-on stains.
- This will work on any type of pan, so don't worry about damaging anything.

2

Boil water to lift up the char.

This can help with stains that don't go away after a good soak. Just fill the pan with water and place it on your stovetop. Then turn the heat on high and bring the water to a boil. Let the water boil for 2-3 minutes to really loosen up the stains and gunk. Then turn the heat off and let the pan cool before washing it normally.^{[2]
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- Like with soaking, you can also add some vinegar to this solution to dissolve the stains further. Just be prepared—your kitchen will smell like vinegar while the water boils.
- This will also work for any type of pan, but don't add vinegar to a cast iron or copper one.
- Don’t try to wash the pan before it’s cool enough! You could get a nasty burn.

3

Add lemons to boiling water to dissolve stains.

The acids should help lift stains off steel and enamel. Quarter up 2-3 lemons and put them in the pan, then cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil on the stovetop and leave the water to boil for 5-10 minutes. Then let the water cool and wash the pan normally.^{[3]
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- As a bonus, this will add a nice citrus smell to your kitchen!
- Acids could corrode cast iron and copper, so this isn't a good option for these types of pans.^{[4]
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4

Scrub the char with vinegar and baking soda.

A bit of acid can really cut through stains on steel or enamel. Pour enough white vinegar into the pan to cover all the stained areas. Then add 1 cup (230 g) of baking soda and let the mixture fizz. When the fizzing stops, pour the liquid out and wash the pan with a sponge to get rid of any leftover stains.^{[5]
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- Make sure you keep the pan in the sink when you add the baking soda, just in case it overflows.
- Don't use this method for cast iron or copper. Vinegar is only safe for these pans if it's heavily diluted.^{[6]
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5

Use salt or baking soda as abrasive cleaners.

These can work like sandpaper and lift up tough gunk. Sprinkle salt or baking soda into the pan, then add water and dish soap. Scrub the pan with a sponge to cut through those tough spots.^{[7]
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- If you’re using salt, larger crystals are more abrasive and will clean better.
- Salt is better to use on cast iron, if you're worried about damaging the pan with acids like vinegar.^{[8]
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- This isn't a good method for nonstick or Teflon pans. The rubbing could scratch the finish.

6

Pour carbonated water into the pan for light stains.

The bubbles from carbonated drinks can lift off gunk and stains. Instead of plain tap water, pour cheap carbonated water into the pan and let it sit for a few minutes. Then scrub the pan with a sponge.^{[9]
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- Try adding some vinegar to the pan to help dissolve tougher stains.
- This is a gentle method that won't damage any type of cookware.

7

Rub burnt spots with a dishwasher tablet.

Dish soap is already designed to fight stains, so take advantage of that. Simply line the bottom of the pan with warm water to start. Then use a normal dishwasher tablet and scrub it over all the stained parts. Wash the pan with an abrasive sponge to remove those stains for good.^{[10]
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- If the pan was only mildly burnt, then you might not even have to use a sponge—the stains may lift right off on their own.
- This will also work on any type of pan.

8

Try ketchup on copper pans.

Copper pans tend to oxidize when they burn. Amazingly, ketchup can get rid of that. Slather some ketchup on burnt or darkened spots and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then wash the ketchup off.^{[11]
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- Ketchup is acidic, so this isn't a good choice to use on cast iron.

9

Rub stainless steel with a ball of foil.

This is for real, heavy-duty stain-fighting power. If the stains just won’t come out, ball up a piece of foil and rub all the stained spots. This should grind them right off.^{[12]
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- Don’t use this trick on coated or Teflon pans. It could scratch them. Only use it for stainless steel.

10

Fight very tough stains with a store-bought abrasive cleaner.

These cleaners include Bar Keepers Friend and Carbon Off. If nothing else works, they might do the trick. Wet the pan and sprinkle some cleaner onto the stained spots. Then scrub with a sponge to lift burn stains.^{[13]
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- These cleaners can be harsh on skin, so wear rubber gloves while you’re using them.
- These products might have specific instructions, so always read and follow them.

Expert Q&A

Question

What's the best way to clean burnt copper cookware?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Fill a pot with water and add a cup of white vinegar and a tablespoon of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and mix the solution thoroughly. Submerge the cookware Remove the item and rinse it under water. You can also drop the item is a solution of lemon juice and a tablespoon of salt. If it is a really large item, you can use a brush to gently scrub areas that need special attention.
Question

How do I remove burnt plastic from steel?

Community Answer

I use a propane torch to burn off the material. If I wind up heating a drill bit until it glows red, I quench it in water to retail all its hardness. Otherwise I let it air cool. If this happens often consider plastic-specific tools and techniques, and avoid getting melted plastic on steel.
Question

How do I get burnt fruit and sugar from a pan?

Community Answer

If you let it soak in hot soapy water overnight, in the morning it should come off when you wash it.

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Warnings

Don’t use rough sponges or steel wool on nonstick pans. These will scratch the finish.^{[14]
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