Burnt food stuck to your favorite pot or pan? Don’t despair! Whether you’ve scorched dinner beyond recognition or your cookware has accumulated layers of baked-on grime, effective solutions exist. This guide explores five tested methods for removing burnt-on food, helping you reclaim your cookware and save yourself from unnecessary replacements.
We also have cleaning guides for other areas of the kitchen, too. Learn how to clean an oven, how to clean a microwave (or air fryer) and how to clean a dishwasher.
Can a Burnt Pan Be Saved?
Fortunately, a burnt pan is usually not ruined. The cleaning methods outlined below offer effective ways to restore your cookware. However, if these techniques fail, or if the pan has suffered years of heavy use without proper cleaning, replacing it might be the best option.
Our Testing Approach
To provide accurate and reliable advice, we established specific parameters for our burnt pan cleaning experiment. We tested each method on stainless steel pans, all scorched with the same combination of cheese, eggs, and grape jelly.
If soaking was recommended, we allowed each pan to soak for a maximum of 15 minutes, checking at 5-minute intervals to observe when the burnt residue began to lift. We also limited active scrubbing to 10 minutes – because no one wants to scrub a pan for longer!
The “after” photos illustrate the results achieved within these defined limits.
Rating System
Each method for How To Remove Burnt On Food From Pot was evaluated on a scale of one to five. Ratings were assigned based on the speed of the technique, the amount of effort required, and the overall effectiveness of the cleaning process, considering the residue remaining after cleaning within the set parameters.
Important Note Before You Start
Warning: Before applying any cleaning method, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the pan to ensure it doesn’t cause damage. The methods below are designed for stainless steel cookware and are not suitable for nonstick surfaces.
5 Proven Methods for Removing Burnt-On Food
Essential Tools and Supplies
Method 1: Baking Soda and Vinegar
Benefits: This method utilizes common household ingredients that are readily available and inexpensive.
Instructions: Fill the burnt pan with equal parts water and white vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil, then carefully add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to soak for up to 15 minutes. Pour the liquid down the drain and use a sponge or scouring pad to scrub away the remaining burnt-on food particles. For stubborn spots, create a paste of baking soda and a small amount of water, apply it to the affected areas, let it sit for a few minutes, and scrub again.
Editor’s Tip: The combination of baking soda and vinegar can create a vigorous reaction. Add the baking soda to the boiling water slowly to prevent overflow.
Our Experience: We were optimistic about this method, as it proved effective in our tests for cleaning baking sheets. After only five minutes of soaking, we observed some charred fragments lifting to the surface! However, we extended the soaking time to the full 15 minutes due to some stubborn residue.
Following rinsing and 10 minutes of vigorous scrubbing with a scouring pad, we removed most of the charred food. A subsequent application of baking soda paste and further scrubbing were necessary to eliminate the remaining debris.
Rating: 3/5
Method 2: Lemon Power
Benefits: A natural cleaning solution that avoids harsh chemicals.
Instructions: Slice two to three lemons and place them in the burnt pan. Add enough water to barely cover the lemons. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and bring the lemon water to a boil for five to eight minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.
The pan is ready for the final scrub when you see food particles floating to the surface. Discard the lemons and drain the water. Rinse the pan with hot, clean water and use a scouring pad or brush to remove any remaining stuck-on bits.
Our Experience: This was our least favorite method for how to remove burnt on food from pot. While we appreciate the all-natural approach, it wasn’t as effective as the other methods. It required a considerable amount of scrubbing in hot water to achieve any noticeable improvement. Classic dish soap might have been just as effective without wasting good lemons.
Rating: 2/5
Method 3: Bar Keepers Friend
Benefits: Fast-acting and versatile cleaning product for various surfaces. Bar Keepers Friend contains oxalic acid, making it a stronger acidic cleaner than vinegar or lemon juice.
Instructions: Rinse the burnt pan with hot water and drain. Wearing rubber gloves, create a paste by mixing a few tablespoons of Bar Keepers Friend with the residual water in the pan. Apply the paste to the burnt residue and let it sit for 60 seconds. Avoid leaving it on for longer, as it is a potent cleaner.
After 60 seconds, thoroughly rinse the pan with hot water and use a sponge, brush, or scouring pad to scrub away the loosened food. Repeat if necessary for stubborn areas.
Our Experience: Bar Keepers Friend is a favorite cleaning product for many. We had high expectations and were not disappointed. We were impressed by the amount of burnt-on food removed after a brief 60-second soak and 10 minutes of scrubbing. A second application and another two minutes of scrubbing completely eliminated the most difficult spots.
Rating: 4/5
Method 4: Aluminum Foil and Baking Soda
Benefits: Aluminum foil is a readily available and effective cleaning tool.
Instructions: Rinse the dirty pot with hot water and drain. Sprinkle generously with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Add a few teaspoons of hot water to form a paste. Scrub the burnt areas with a crumpled piece of aluminum foil about the size of a golf ball. Continue scrubbing until the burnt debris lifts, then rinse with hot, soapy water to finish.
Our Experience: This method yielded impressive results. While a small touch-up with additional baking soda was needed after the initial scrub, we were impressed by the effectiveness of the foil in removing the grime.
This method can be seen as a “deluxe” version of the baking soda and vinegar method. It works just as well, but faster and more effectively, thanks to the enhanced scrubbing power of the foil.
Rating: 4/5
Method 5: Dishwasher Tablet Magic
Benefits: If you have a dishwasher, you likely have these on hand.
Instructions: Take a dishwasher tablet and rinse the burnt pan with hot water. Gently scrub the pan under warm water with the dishwasher tablet until all the food debris is removed. Rinse with warm water.
Our Experience: We were amazed by how well this method worked! In less than five minutes, we had a perfectly clean pan without needing any additional scrubbing. We used Finish Powerball deep clean tabs and found that leaving the plastic coating on the tabs during scrubbing was most effective.
The warm water gradually dissolves the tablet as you scrub, helping it maintain its shape. The only drawback is that we used two whole dishwasher tablets to clean one pan, making it potentially expensive. However, its effectiveness makes it worth the cost.
Psst! You can also use dishwasher tablets to clean your oven.
Rating: 5/5
Conclusion: The Verdict on Removing Burnt-On Food
While all the methods for how to remove burnt on food from pot we tested effectively cleaned the burnt messes on our skillets, the dishwasher tablet method was the clear winner. We cannot guarantee the same results with other brands, but we expect most dishwasher tablets to be effective in lifting grease and burnt-on food.
While the dishwasher tablet was our preferred solo method, the others, especially Bar Keepers Friend and aluminum foil combined with baking soda, are excellent alternatives if you have more time or are willing to put in a little extra elbow grease.
Inspired to clean? Continue your cleaning spree with our cleaning secrets that will make your entire home sparkle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does burnt food stick to the pan?
Food sticks to a pan due to chemical reactions during cooking, often caused by insufficient lubrication (oil or butter). If a pan isn’t thoroughly cleaned after food burns, subsequent cooking will only exacerbate the problem.
Can you eat food from a burnt pan?
In some cases, yes. If it’s the first time food is burnt on the pan, it should be safe. However, it’s not advisable to continue cooking or consuming food from a burnt pan that hasn’t been cleaned. Clean the pan as soon as possible after burning to minimize the transfer of chemicals to your food.
Is it safe to use a burnt nonstick pan?
It depends. Cooking with a burnt nonstick pan may increase the risk of toxic chemicals leaching into food, particularly with pans containing PFAS. Following the manufacturer’s care instructions, such as always cooking on low to medium heat, is the best way to prevent burning food and damaging the pan.
