We’ve all put a pot or pan on the stove, looked away for a moment too long, and discovered a burnt mess that proves nigh impossible to remove. While there’s no getting around the frustration associated with these incidents, there’s no need to fret, because there is more than one way to banish the mess and return your pans to their original glory!
Today I’ll be sharing my 3 trustiest methods for removing stains, residue, and burnt food from pots and pans. I’ll also share a few additional tips that will help you prevent such messes from reoccurring in the future.
3 Ways To Remove Stains And Burnt Food From Pots And Pans
1. Bar Keepers Friend & Scrub Daddy
Bar Keepers Friend is one of the best options out there for cleaning stubborn messes off of cookware, including stainless steel, anodized aluminum, enameled cast iron, and copper. (It works well on Pyrex bakeware too!)
Sprinkle some of the powder onto a wet Scrub Daddy, then scrub the stained or scorched area in a circular motion. The mess should start breaking up shortly, but if it doesn’t, let it sit for about a minute before trying again. Once you pot or pan is clean, wash it with warm, soapy water and rinse well.
2. Dishwasher Detergent Tab
Dishwasher detergent tabs—the ones made of compacted detergent powder, not the dissolvable liquid packs—act like an all-in-one cleaning agent and scrubber. The gritty powder helps scour through messes while the detergent breaks down grease and food residues.
To use it, just add some hot water to the stained pot or pan, dip the detergent tab into the water, and scrub. With a bit of elbow grease and determination, your cookware will be gleaming in no time.
3. Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide
And last, but certainly not least, is one of my all-time favorite cleaning duos, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. If you always have these on hand like I do, this is a great option to keep in your back pocket.
To use them together to clean pots or pans, mix a bit of both together to form a paste, then smear it over the mess and allow it to sit for about 20 minutes before scrubbing. Soon enough, your pot or pan should be good as new. (And keep in mind that when using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, the longer you can let them sit, the less scrubbing you’ll typically need to do.)
Bonus Tips For Cleaning Cookware
- Wear cleaning gloves when using any of the methods described above. These cleaning agents can be harsh on skin, so it’s important to protect your hands.
- Cookware is easier to clean when it’s still a bit warm, so the sooner you can get it in the sink and get some dish soap on it, the less likely it is to harden into a mess that will be difficult to remove.
- Be thorough when you hand wash your pots and pans. Always scrub the bottom of your cookware, as well as the area where the handle meets the body, even if they don’t look that dirty to you.
- Whenever a pan develops a dark crust from cooking, set the pot or pan back on the range when you’re done with it, add enough water to cover the stains, and add a small amount of dish soap. This will prevent the residue from drying onto the pan so that it’s easier to clean up later.
Notes About Cleaning Nonstick And Cast Iron Cookware
If you need to clean a burnt mess out of a nonstick or cast iron pot or pan, ignore all the advice in this post. Both nonstick and cast iron are different animals entirely and require different approaches to cleaning and care. But not to fear—you can learn everything you need to know about cleaning and caring for both nonstick and cast iron pans at the links below!
Read More: 11 Ways You’re Ruining Your Nonstick Pans
Read More: How To Clean Cast Iron Cookware The Right Way
Do you have any tips or tricks for cleaning cookware?
More Ideas You'll Love
Jillee, I have a Gotham cookware set my hubby bought for me some time back. I have used this one skillet so much and it has burned the bottom and sides. They have grooves on them, so I do not wish to use any harsh cleaners or scrubs, but I have tried vinegar and baking soda, leaving the pan to set for a bit, and it did not work. Do you have any ideas?
Thanks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is it supposed to bubble like mad when you use baking soda?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been getting forget these days and last night while attempting to cook some sliders – I forgot about them. Just to add salt to my wounds I placed the hot pan on my runner at the back door so I could shut off the smoke detectors. When I tried to pick up the pan I found it melted the carpet and was stuck. I have Dawn original soaking on it now – from last night – and if that doesn’t take off the melted plastic then I have several wonderful ideas to try now.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you so much for this article.
I have used vinegar before with success. You had a post sometime in the last year or two for baking soda with peroxide. I’ve been using that on all my baking pans to get them back to their original luster and use it on the backside of my stainless steel pots too. I haven’t had the need to use it in a pan recently, but I would if I had to.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The only time I ever get burnt pots is when DH cooks. I have him use good old fashioned SOS pad. And because I am always trying to use things up completely before throwing away, if the pad wasn’t all used up I place it in a plastic bag & freeze it until I need it again (keeps it from rusting).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Funny you mention the freezer idea. A client I had did the same and now I do and pass it on to others. It does preserve the pad!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Baking soda works like a charm for me. I even blogged about it last week! It peeled the burned stuff right off the bottom. It’s wonderful.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I actually took a cue from your laundry stain remover last week. I’d burnt something in my Crock Pot and my roommate wanted to borrow it. I dumped baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in it for a few minutes, had fun watching it bubble, then to both our surprise everything came off with one wipe.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love those simple solutions!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If we have something that has scorched onto the bottom of 1 of our stainless steel pans, I drop a couple drips of dish soap in the bottom of the pan.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Then I cover it with water and simmer on the stove top for 15 minutes or so. It always comes right off no trouble at all.
The simplest, easiest and most effective way is simply use baking soda. Cover the burned area with baking soda, add a little water to moisten and let it sit. I use this method on my ceramic/glass stove top too.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you can get the pan while it is still hot, putting in some water will help loosen the crud. It is on the order of deglazing the pan. It’s always worked for me, but you need to get the pan while it is still hot. I figured since deglazing always loosens the bits of food that you want to keep for sauces, gravies etc. why wouldn’t it also work for burnt on stuff????? I am notorious for turning on a pot of something and then forgetting it. When I get older I am sure my children won’t let me live by myself. LOL
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been using the dishwasher detergent powder and water, then simmer while doing the dishes, for quite some time. It’s good to know that there are so many other possibilities.
Love those magic erasers for cleaning things. It’s amazing how they’ll get stuff off that other products won’t.
I love how Formula 409 works, especially on sticky grease, and it’s disinfecting properties. My main problem with it is the fumes. If I spray it, it gets in my lungs and makes me cough. Do you have a substitute for this? I haven’t seen anything on your site. May have just missed it.
Thank you for all your work investigating and experimenting to help us.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Would any of these work on cast iron? Which ones are DO NOT USE on cast iron! Thanks… (New pan with some burned on grilled cheese and tomato gunk). I like to make spaghetti sauce, etc in my big skillets, but sometimes the sauce stays in the iron…? Doesn’t come really clean – then that flavor is in the next food cooked in the pan. I have learned to clean an oily/crusty pan with the home-made hand foam soap!! Just a puff or two of Jillee’s recipe and wipe around with hot water, rinse and still seasoned, yet clean!! And no “aftertaste”! Thanks….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Stay away from most of these methods with cast iron – anything acidic (vinegar, lemon juice, ketchup…) will ruin the cast iron. Soap isn’t good either! It can remove the non-stick qualities from the pan. A good scrub with kosher salt should be all you need even on the toughest stains!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have stains from beans in my Le Crueset. Any suggestions on how to remove the stains (it isn’t a burn, but a stain. Weird.) without damaing the surface of the pot? Thanks! Love your blog, Jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Have you tried cooking some tomatoes (canned should work) in the pot? Works for me. Hope this helps.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Where was this post 2-3 weeks ago? (Maybe it’s here now because I emailed begging for help.) Whatever, I’m keeping this post handy. I tried the simmering/baking soda/dawn/overnight/all day/ 4 days in a row method. Finally we resorted to a…. you’re not going to believe this…. Hoof Trimming Tool! Yeah like you use on livestock. It’s very sharp and literally cut the burned crud out. Then the BIG GUNS (hubby) came in with an extra heavy duty sanding pad (like a pot scrubber pad on steroids) and scrubbed the last bits out. My pressure cooker looks like new again!!! Thanks for this, I’ll not have to resort to the barn tools next time.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You did inspire this post!! I hope it helps you in the future :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just add an inch of water in the pan immediately and put it back on the burner, simmer while we eat and usually that works fine. Similar to deglazing a pan. It works every time for me. No harsh stuff.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does anyone know how to get hardened grease off nonstick pans? I also have some glass casserole dishes and nonstick muffin tins with those speckled blotches of burnt grease that won’t come off.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a ceramic cooktop; it has a burned on food ring and scratch marks. Any tips on how to remove both.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have had really good results with Bar Keepers Friend (soft formula) and a 3M Scotch Brite Pad. Even the worst burn marks come off with no scratching our dulling to the cooktop surface.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ardell,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I too have a ceramic cook top and the last time I had a burn ring, I let it cool and then sprinkled the ring with baking soda then sprayed white vinegar onto the baking soda, really soaking it. I let it sit for 15 min then came back and it wiped right off. I then wiped my whole cook top with my 1:1 vinegar water cleaning solution to remove any baking soda residue. I was amazed at how well it worked and I didn’t have to go buy anything special. If yours has been there awile and you’ve cooked on it, it might take a few applications. I hope this helps! Good luck!
Angela
Great tip Angela!
You can also use a WET razor on the burned area on the glass top. The key is to keep the razor wet so as not to scratch the glass. Works great on mirrors and windows to remove dried paint and/or crud……….
I use dawn for that. Squirt a small amount in and add hot water. It soaks burned or stuck food right off.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Have used pickle juice – also works great!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My Mom swore by rhubarb for cleaning pans. Just a few chunks into the pan with water and simmer for an hour or so and the pan will be like new. As we always had rhubarb growing in the garden it didn’t cost anything and was readily available.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love your site Jillee
Bar Keeper’s Friends is actually made with rhubarb extract – makes sense!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Could you please share where you can purchase the flip top cap that you have on your Kerr jar.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you. Really enjoyed this helpful newsletter.
They are called “Recap Lids”
Please log in or create a free account to comment.http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=mason+jar+lids+recap&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=54537310476&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1583475608602024415&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_4zxuim8kk0_b
Thanks Alice!!
I found these on Amazon
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use the cover from grated cheese
Please log in or create a free account to comment.They are expensive on Amazon. I saw a DIY (One Good Thing??) using the pouring top of a salt box.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here’s an easy DIY! https://onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/07/turn-a-mason-jar-into-an-easy-diy-dispenser.html
I’ve got a horrible mess on my gas stove where something cooked over and did not get cleaned up immediately. Young adults in the kitchen are a nightmare! The pilot light of course keeps the area warm and it turned into a hard, black, burnt mess. I tried baking soda & vinegar and one tiny spot came off. Think any of these would work any better?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Pour a cup of ammonia into a stainless steel or glass dish .Place in cold oven , close door and leave overnight or at least 12 hours . Your oven and the wire racks will wipe clean the next day .Do not use aluminum pans as ammonia will eat into it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Try leaving a paper towel dampened with one of these concoctions lying over the crusty area all day, re-wetting with the solution as needed!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I keep a small container of inexpensive dishwasher detergent by my sink to make cleaning up a snap. Scrape what you can off your baking dish or pan. Fill with hot water and a tablespoon of dishwasher detergent and let it soak while you clean up. Most of the time you can wipe the food from the sides or use one of those plastic scrubbers to remove the remaining food. I like to soak pans while we eat so there’s no waiting.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I forgot to mention that my MIL said denture cleaning tablets always worked for her burnt pots.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My teen aged daughter made some amazing chicken soup in my ceramic pot but left it on low to stay warm and forgot about it. What a mess! I figured it was a lost cause but poured a can of Coke and sprinkled in a little baking soda to boot and left it to soak overnight. The next morning I was prepared to scrub but the burnt mess came right off with the rinse water. saved my pot but I no longer drink Coke.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Makes you a bit nervous how well it works, doesn’t it?!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s not really scary. Your stomach is already full of acid and is accustomed to regulating it’s contents. Without acid there would be no digestion of food.
No I don’t work for Coca Cola but I do drink a huge amount of Pepsi and have for more than 40 years. No belly problems.
Coke also works well on getting oil out of your clothes. Just poor a can of coke into your wash as well as detergent. Great for oil field workers or any one who gets oily.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’d like to share my accidental remedy for removing ‘unmovable’ burnt-on crud. I had spent a lot of money on a very, very large stainless steel saucepan. Partner had badly burnt on a chutney while cooking without stirring, it couldn’t be removed by any method known, and we tried everything, even resorting to yukky chemical. Finally gave in, it was ‘clean, just set-on black on the bottom. I used it one day to make fish stock; chucked in the heads/bones, came back about an hour later and found black gunk floating! Had to tip it out and lo ‘n behold a totally clean saucepan bottom!!!! Lost the fish stock, but ended up with our expensive saucepan back. Worth a try?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How interesting!
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