How to Remove Burnt Food from Non-Stick Frying Pan
Anyone can get distracted and end up with a burnt nonstick frying pan. There are so many things to do in a kitchen, and your mind can drift to other tasks within minutes and you can forget you’re cooking food for some time.
If this happens and your burn your favorite pan, all is not lost. Here are some simple things you can do to recover your nonstick frying pan without too much hassle. Because even the best non-stick frypan can have burnt food stuck to it.
Table of contents
What Methods Work?
Baking Soda
After your pan has burnt, let it cool before you sprinkle plenty of baking soda (bicarbonate) on the burnt areas. Add some little water to help the baking soda sink into the burnt food stuck on your pan. Leave the mixture to sit for a few hours or overnight.
After the pan has soaked overnight, scrub it using a soft scrubber or a sponge to get rid of the baking soda residue. It should come off effortlessly, and for any parts that are still stubborn, use some extra pressure, and the pan will be spotlessly clean within a few minutes.
Once the pan is free off the burnt food, wash it with soap and water as you usually would.
Some warm water and a soft sponge or nylon scrubber is the best and then rinse it with clean water. Make sure no soap residue is left to prevent staining.
Dry the clean pan using a paper towel, a dish towel, or placed it on the drying rack. You can store the pan or use it to cook another meal.
Hot Water and Soap
A combination of hot water and soap is the common trick to clean a scorched nonstick pan. You simply add some water enough to cover the burnt area and a few drops of dishwashing soap.
Place the pan on your stove and let the water boil for about 15 minutes. All the stuck, stubborn residues will loosen, and from there, you can clean the pan with warm soapy water using a soft sponge. Rinse the pan and wipe it dry; it is as good as new.
Bicarbonate and Vinegar
White vinegar combined with bicarbonate (baking soda) helps to clean burnt stains on nonstick pans. Put one glass of the white vinegar into an equal amount of water and stir the mixture gently. Place it on your stove and allow it to boil for about 10 minutes.
Add two teaspoons of bicarbonate into the hot water; bubbles will starting forming and help remove the burnt stains.
Leave the pan to cool down and pour the mixture before washing the pan with soapy water. You can use a soft brush to remove any persistent stains, and your nonstick pan will look perfect.
Related: Best Metal Utensil Safe Nonstick Cookware
Salt Solution
Add some water into the burnt pan and add a handful of ordinary salt. Leave the mixture for a minimum of 20 minutes before cleaning the pan with soapy water and a sponge.
But, if the stain is still stubborn, bring the mixture to boil for some minutes on your stove.
Let the pan cool before washing it with a sponge and soapy water. Rinse your pan, and it’s ready for use again.
Nonstick pans are sensitive cookware that must be handled with a lot of care, and a burnt pan is not the end of the world and there are great solutions.
Before you try any home remedy for burnt pans and pots, make sure they are safe. Avoid scrubbing your pan harshly regardless of how stubborn the stains are.
Stick to the above steps because they are proven and time tested safe and will not ruin your precious nonstick pot or pan.
As always, check the instructions that come with cookware from the manufacturer – to be sure, to be sure. Read on to find out about the best metal utensil safe non-stick cookware.
FAQ
How do I clean my pan and remove the burnt black stuff?
There are many ways of cleaning a non-stick burnt pan, but using warm soapy water and a glass of white vinegar quickens the process. You can warm the mixture and add two tablespoons of baking soda and leave the mixture to boil. It helps to release the burnt particles from the pan.
What causes sticking on a non-stick pan?
High heat is the leading cause of sticking on a non-stick pan and eventually leads to burning. Also, you must clean your pan thoroughly every time you use it for cooking. If you make a meal with a pan that already has food residues, you will likely end up with food stuck on the pan’s surface.
Is vinegar safe for my non-stick pans?
White vinegar is safe to use when cleaning your non-stick pans. It does not cause staining or erode them. Mix it with water and will get rid of residues left by food and cooking oils.
How do I tell if my pan is completely ruined?
If you have tried all proven methods of cleaning a non-stick burn pan and the stains won’t still budge, consider it completely ruined. These pans are not made to last forever regardless of the warranty given by the manufacturer. If you expose it to high heat and fail to clean it correctly every time you use it, you pan will warp and get discolored. Besides, it will ruin the taste of your food when used to cook.
Is my non-stick pan usable after it has burnt?
If your non-stick pan is scratched and extensively damaged, you should not use it again. The same applies to a pan that has burnt, and the stains won’t come off. It is not safe to cook with the pan as the burnt coating can get into your food.
