A pan burned on the bottom? Probably everyone has had this problem. Is there a way to save it? Or should you replace it with a new one? We check it!
When we first start cleaning the bottom of the pan, the task seems to be trivial. We usually change our minds after just a few minutes of scrubbing, when we see virtually no results. So what to do in this case? It turns out that there are many home remedies that can save our equipment before replacing it with a new one!
No matter what kind of pan you choose, whether it is made of Teflon, clay, ceramic or cast iron – every pan gets dirty and burns. No wonder, its bottom is exposed to fire (if you use gas stove) and high temperature. A good homemade method to clean the pan is to use a homemade paste. To make it, we need just two ingredients:
Put the baking soda in a bowl and pour the water over it. Stir thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is formed. Such a paste we put on the bottom of the pan and leave for 10-15 minutes. Then thoroughly wash the pan and wipe it dry. There should be no trace of dirt!
Another great homemade way to clean the pan is to make a solution of citric acid. Dissolve 2 teaspoons of citric acid in about 2 cups of water and boil. Put the pan into the hot solution and leave it for several hours, or preferably overnight. After removing it, wipe it with a cloth, wash thoroughly and dry with a paper towel. This method works best for Teflon pans
It is also recommended that you soak the bottom of the pan in sour cream, even if it is not very dirty, as this will prevent it from getting dirty and will make it easier to take care of
Another effective and homemade way to remove dirt from the bottom of the pan is to use vinegar. It is worth remembering that vinegar works well not only on burnt pan but also on scale deposits, rust, etc. However, you should be aware that vinegar should not be used on enamel surfaces as it can become dull. Therefore, we clean only steel and aluminum pans with this agent. You can make a solution of water and vinegar (4 tablespoons of vinegar to a glass of water) and soak a sponge in it, then scrub the dirt.
In case of a thick layer of dirt, you can soak the bottom of the pan in vinegar alone for a few hours, and then remove the dirt with a sponge or kitchen spatula. After this procedure, always wash the pan thoroughly with water and dishwashing liquid
If you are not a fan of home methods, you can use special cleaning liquids available in the store. This may be an all-purpose milk cleaner, a liquid for removing heavy dirt or a special agent for pans or ovens. However, you should always remember that after using such chemical products you should thoroughly wash and dry the pan (best done twice). The cost of cleaning fluids ranges from several to even 30 PLN
What is interesting, not very well known but equally effective way to clean pans is to use a steam cleaner. Hot steam and high pressure perfectly deal with even large and problematic stains. For this, there is no need to use any chemicals or homemade ones. The steam molecules even get into microscopic crevices and effectively remove the dirt. Also, if you own a steam cleaner, you can use it not only to clean your house and yard, but even to wash your pans!
It is also a good idea to take care of your pan regularly and wash it after each use to prevent it from accumulating a thick and difficult to remove layer of grease and other dirt.
