Although you may doubt that the burnt surfaces of your favorite cookware can ever be completely cleaned, it is not only possible, but can actually be done with very little labor-intensive scrubbing. Here are seven easy ways to clean burnt pots so they look new again.
Clean burnt pots with these 7 methods
Cleaning a burnt pot may seem difficult, but these DIY strategies are simple and effective. You probably already have the necessary home remedies on hand, including boiling water, white vinegar, dishwashing liquid, baking soda, and a dryer sheet. Read on to find the best solution to your burnt pot situation.
Method 1: Clean the cookware with boiling water
With this cleaning technique, you go back to the source of your problem – the stove. First, fill the pot with a few inches of water, or enough to cover the charred area. Bring the water to a boil and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
Next, remove the pot from the heat and set aside to cool. Once the water is at room temperature, pour it away. If necessary, use a plastic spatula or wooden spoon to gently scrape any large, now softened, burnt bits into the trash can.
Finally, sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of baking soda into the wet pot and wipe any remaining stains with asuitable for cookwareSponge scrubbing.
Method 2: Clean burnt pots with white vinegar
If the method above helped even a little, request more firepower – i.e. white vinegar. Pour equal parts water and vinegar into the pot, enough to completely cover the burnt bottom. Cook it again for about 5 minutes.
In addition to the heat, the acidity of vinegar helps loosen the stubborn stains left by burnt food. Repeat the steps: Allow the pot to soak while the liquid cools, pour it out, and scrub away any remaining burnt gunk with a sponge.
Method 3: Use vinegar and baking soda to remove burnt-on food from the pot
In extreme cases, try this alternative method: fill the pot with enough vinegar to cover the burnt area (here, vinegar is not diluted with water), then bring it to a boil. Turn the heat down slightly and simmer on the stove for a few minutes. Remove from heat and let the vinegar cool slightly.
Next, add about 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pot. Mixing these two home remedies causes a fizzy reaction. (Helpful tip: you may want to do this part in the sink to minimize potential mess). When the bubbling has stopped, discard the liquid.
Then scrub the pot with a dish brush or scouring pad. If necessary, add a little more baking soda and dishwashing detergent until the stain is completely removed.
Method 4: Boil lemons to clean burnt pots
Another popular method to remove stuck-on dirt from cookware is to use lemon and water. Similar to acetic acid, citric acid helps break down burnt food stains - but without the pungent smell.
First things first: Cut about two lemons into quarters or thick slices and place them in the bottom of the pot. Next, add enough water to cover the entire burned area and bring to a boil on the stove. You will see the burnt food particles detach from the bottom of the pot as the lemon floats around.
After about 5 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let it soak while the water cools to room temperature. Discard the water and lemon pieces, then lightly scrub the remaining dirt with a soft sponge.
Method 5: Dissolve burnt residue with dishwasher tabs
Dishwasher detergent is another effective solution for restoring burnt cookware. Start by adding a dishwashing tablet or 1 tablespoon of powdered dishwashing detergent or 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent to the pot. Then fill it with a few inches of hot water from the tap; Leave on for at least 30 minutes.
Next, use a plastic spatula or wooden spoon to gently scrape the bottom of the pot and test to see if the charred food scraps can be easily lifted from the surface. If this is the case, pour away the soapy water and scrub off any remaining residue. If not, repeat, but this time by simmering the water and dish soap mixture on the stove for about 10 minutes.
Method 6: Clean burnt pots with aluminum foil
The tinfoil is effective and inexpensive, but requires a little more elbow grease than the previously mentioned techniques. It also comes with an important note of caution: Do not use the aluminum foil on pots with nonstick coatings as this will scratch the coating.
Start by adding enough warm water to the pot. Then onesmall sheet of aluminum foilcrumple into a ball. Use the scouring film ball to scrub the pot until the stubborn burnt food particles are removed.
Method 7: Clean burnt cookware with dryer sheet
Did you know that the conditioning properties of most dryer sheets also help lift charred residue from your pots?
Fill the dirty pot with a few inches of warm water and submerge a dryer sheet. Allow it to soak for at least 1 hour to overnight. Then throw the cloth in the trash and pour away the water. Use a sponge to scrub off any leftover food.
