5 Easy Tips to Remove Burnt Stains and Residue from Cookware

If you've ever cooked caramel for braised dishes or desserts, you've probably encountered the stubborn issue of burnt sugar sticking to the bottom of your pots and pans, making them difficult to clean. But fret not, because now you can easily remove those burnt sugar stains with a few simple tricks. Let's find out how!

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Step 1: Wait for the caramel to cool and harden in the pan

If your caramel layer is only thin, you can simply scrape it off with a knife or spoon without needing to do any additional steps.

Scraping off the caramel layer

However, if your caramel layer is thick and stuck to the bottom of the pan, then you need to soak it before scraping. After softening the caramel layer, your next step is to scrape off the caramel layer with a spoon or knife.

Step 2: Clean the pan to remove caramel

Scrub the pan with dishwashing liquid.

Cleaning the pan

Step 3: Check the pan and put it in the freezer

Touch the bottom of the pan, if the stubborn caramel is still sticking to the bottom of the pan, put your pan in the refrigerator for 2 hours. This will help freeze and harden the caramel layer completely, making it crispy and easier for you to scrape it off.

Checking the pan

Step 4: Take the pan out and scrape off the excess caramel.

After letting it freeze for 2 hours, take the pan out and scrape off the stubborn caramel layer. Then clean them with clean water and dry them with paper or a cloth.

Taking the pan out of the freezer and scrubbing

2. Use Soda water

Step 1: Pour soda water into the pan or pot while still hot

When your pan or pot is still hot, pour soda water into it. This will help the components in the soda water react with the iron, making the surface of the pan smoother and less likely to stick.

Pouring soda water into the pan or pot while still hot.

Step 2: Soak and scrub with a sponge or cloth.

Soak in soda water for about 15 minutes, then use a sponge or cloth to scrub and clean the floating bottom.

Cleaning the pan

Step 3: Pour out the soda water and clean again with water

After scrubbing, pour out the soda water and clean again with water. Use a sponge to clean the pan’s bottom to ensure no remaining caramel residues. Finally, dry the pan with a cloth or paper towel.

Pouring out the soda water

3. Use hot water

Step 1: Pour hot water into the pot

First, pour hot water into your pot or pan, making sure the hot water completely covers the caramel layer inside the pot.

Pouring hot water into the pot

Step 2: Soak the pot

Next, cover the pot and soak it for one hour.

Soaking the pot

Step 3: Pour out the water and check the pot

After soaking the pot, pour out the hot water and check if there is still stubborn caramel sticking to the bottom of the pot. If there is, try using hotter water to remove any remaining caramel.

Checking the pot

Step 4: Pour enough water into the pot and boil it

Pour enough water into the pot to completely cover the remaining caramel.

Next, place the pot on the stove and boil the water inside the pot for at least 10 minutes. This will help the stubborn caramel stuck to the bottom of the pot melt away. From there, cleaning the pot will become easier.

Pouring enough water into the pot and boiling it

Step 6: Turn off the stove and scrub the pot

Use a sponge and a little dishwashing liquid to scrub and thoroughly clean the caramel layer in the pot. Finally, rinse them again with clean water and dry them with a cloth or paper towel.

Scrubbing the pot

4. Use saltwater

Step 1: Soak the pan or pot with saltwater

Make a saltwater solution in a ratio of 1 tablespoon of salt: 1 cup of water (250ml). Then pour this solution into the pan or pot. Note that you must make sure that the caramel layer must be fully submerged in the saltwater solution.

Soaking the pan or pot with saltwater

Then, soak the pan or pot with the saltwater solution overnight.

Step 2: Boil the saltwater inside the pot

After soaking overnight, boil the saltwater in the pot or pan until it boils. When the saltwater solution boils, the caramel inside the pot will become soft and melt, making it easier for you to scrub it off.

Boiling the saltwater solution

Step 3: Scrub and dry

After boiling, turn off the heat and pour out the saltwater from inside the pot or pan. At this point, the amount of caramel inside the pot or pan has been removed quite a bit, the next thing you need to do is clean them again with a sponge. Then dry them with a cloth or paper towel.

Scrubbing and drying

5. Use dishwashing liquid or fabric softener

Step 1: Pour warm water into the pot

Pour warm water into your pot or pan, making sure that the warm water completely covers the caramel layer inside the pot.

Pouring warm water into the pot

Step 2: Add dishwashing liquid or liquid fabric softener to the pot and soak

Both of these solutions serve to soften the caramel layer, making it easier to scrub them off. If your pan or pot has a very stubborn caramel layer, the fabric softener solution may be a better choice for you.

Soak the solutions for about one hour.

Adding dishwashing liquid or liquid fabric softener to the pot

Step 3: Scrub the pan with a sponge

Scrub the caramel layer in the pan with a sponge, rest assured that the scrubbing will not be too difficult because after soaking, the caramel layer has become softer and easier to scrub.

Scrubbing the pan with a sponge

Step 4: Clean again with clean water

After scrubbing, clean the pan with clean water and dry it with a cloth or paper towel.

Cleaning again with clean water

With these methods, cleaning your pan or pot becomes easier. If you have any other methods, please share with us in the comments section below!

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Frequently asked questions

There are several methods you can try. Soaking your cookware in a mixture of baking soda and water, or vinegar and water, can help loosen burnt-on stains. You can also try boiling water in the pot or pan, adding salt to create a scouring paste, or using a combination of water and dish soap. For tougher stains, you may need to use a non-abrasive scrubber or a gentle abrasive like Bar Keepers Friend.

Always ensure your cookware is completely clean before use. Avoid overheating your pan, and be mindful of the temperature settings when cooking. Use appropriate amounts of oil or butter to prevent food from sticking, and consider using a timer to avoid overcooking or burning your food.

You should avoid using abrasive scrubbers or steel wool on non-stick pans as they can damage the coating. Instead, try a gentle scouring pad or a soft-bristled brush. Soaking the pan in warm water and dish soap, or using a mixture of baking soda and water, can also help lift burnt-on stains without damaging the non-stick surface.

Burnt stains and residue are often a result of overheating your cookware or not using enough oil or butter when cooking. Food particles can also get stuck to the surface, especially if the pan is not cleaned properly after each use. Using inappropriate cooking utensils, such as metal spatulas on non-stick pans, can also contribute to the problem.

Yes, natural alternatives like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice are effective in removing burnt stains. Creating a paste from baking soda and water, or using equal parts vinegar and water, can help loosen burnt-on stains. You can also try cutting a lemon in half, sprinkling baking soda on the cut surface, and using it to scrub the affected area.