Rescue a burnt pan
Simmer, soak, lift. Almost every burnt pan comes back without a scourer and without ruining the base.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- 45 minutes
Warning
- Harmful / irritantBecause this uses Soda crystals
Burnt-on food is carbonised sugar and protein stuck to metal. Heat and an alkali loosen the bond; scraping while it is dry just polishes it into the surface and scratches the pan.
Steps
Step 1 of 4
Cover the burnt base with water — a centimetre or two is plenty — and add a heaped tablespoon of soda crystals, or baking soda for a gentler pan.
Step 2 of 4
Bring it to a simmer on the hob and hold it there for ten minutes. You will see flakes start to lift on their own.
Step 3 of 4
Wait 30 minutes
Take it off the heat and leave it to soak while it cools.
Step 4 of 4
Push the loosened layer off with a wooden spatula or the soft side of a sponge. Repeat rather than escalating to steel wool.
Warning
Not for aluminium pans — soda darkens and pits the metal. Not for non-stick either: even the soft side of a sponge will dull the coating over time. Both prefer a long soak in warm water with a drop of dish soap.
- Cast iron gets water and a stiff brush, and then a light coat of oil while it is warm. Soda strips the seasoning you spent months building.
Safe on / Never use on
Safe on
- Stainless steel
- Enamel