How to Clean a Burnt Frying Pan

We’ve all been there - you get distracted while cooking and before you know it, your frying pan is burnt and covered in stubborn, stuck-on food. Cleaning a burnt frying pan can seem like a discouraging task, but with the right techniques, you can have your pan looking like new in no time.

Why Do Frying Pans Get Burnt?

Before we dive into cleaning techniques, it’s important to understand why frying pans get burnt in the first place. There are a few common reasons:

• High heat: Cooking on high heat can easily lead to a burnt pan, especially if you’re not paying close attention.
• Lack of oil or butter: Not using enough oil or butter in the pan can cause food to stick and burn.
• Cooking for too long: Leaving food in the pan for too long can cause it to burn and stick to the pan.
• Low-quality pans: Cheap or old frying pans are more likely to burn and can be harder to clean.

Aside from the obvious aesthetic reasons, cleaning a burnt frying pan is important to maintain food hygiene. Burnt food can harbour bacteria and mold, making it unsafe. Also, burnt food can damage the surface of your pan, reducing the lifespan of even the most durable frying pans and making it less effective for cooking.

How to Clean a Burnt Frying Pan

Now that we understand why frying pans get burnt and the importance of cleaning them, here are some tried and tested techniques that work best for cleaning a burnt frying pan.

Method 1: Baking Soda and Vinegar

This method is great for removing burnt food and stains from your frying pan.

1. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the burnt areas of the pan.
2. Pour a small amount of white vinegar over the baking soda. The mixture will start to fizz.
3. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes.
4. Use a scrub brush or sponge to scrub the burnt areas. The burnt food should easily come off.
5. Rinse the pan with warm water and dry with a towel.

Method 2: Salt and Oil

This method is best for removing burnt food that is stuck to the pan.

1. Pour a generous amount of salt onto the burnt areas of the pan.
2. Add a small amount of oil (vegetable or olive oil) to the pan.
3. Use a scrub brush or sponge to scrub the burnt areas. The salt will act as an abrasive to help remove the burnt food.
4. Rinse the pan with warm water and dry with a towel.

Method 3: Boiling Water

This method is best for removing burnt food that is stuck to the pan and is also great for deep cleaning your pan.

1. Fill the burnt pan with water and bring it to a boil.
2. Let the water boil for 10-15 minutes.
3. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape off any burnt food.
4. Rinse the pan with warm water and dry with a towel.

Remember to avoid using steel wool or abrasive sponges on your frying pan, instead always use a non-abrasive sponge or a brush.

Preventing Future Burnt Pans

While accidents happen, there are a few things you can do to prevent future burnt pans.

• Cooking on medium heat is usually sufficient for most dishes. Avoid cooking on high heat unless necessary.
• Make sure to use enough oil or butter to prevent food from sticking to the pan.
• A high-quality pan will distribute heat evenly and is less likely to burn. Frying Pans from Vinod Cookware are made from the highest quality premium metal giving you a superior searing and sauteing experience, always.

You won't ever have to deal with difficult messes again because you now know how to take care of your pans. To prevent food and grease build-up, make sure you wash your pans thoroughly after each use and once every few weeks.