Got a burnt frying pan lying in the kitchen? If you hate scrubbing the pans as much as I do, you must be here to find useful tips and tricks on how to clean a frying pan?
Let’s admit it, this happens all the time. You leave the frying pan on the stove and think‘’ I ‘ll let it simmer a bit and just put a short pile of laundry in the machine’’ and then you come back to a burnt and black frying pan.
Now you have a scorched frying pan on your hands, and you have no clue on how to clean it without destroying the coatings and all.
Because what works on an iron skillet might destroy the Teflon coating badly. So it is important to take into consideration the type of pan you are cleaning. In this article, I will tell you easy and quick ways of cleaning different types of pans.
Let’s get down to it then!
Tips To Clean A Cast Iron Frying Pan
For everyday use, gently wash the cast iron pan with soap and water. To increase the pan’s longevity, make sure not to leave it wet for a longer period. You must thoroughly dry it every time you wash it to avoid rusting.
For tough stains or burnt cast iron skillets, salt can work wonders. You need coarse salt for cleaning purposes. Just sprinkle salt generously on the frying pan’s bottom and rub gently with a sponge or cleaning brush. The salts’ coarseness works as a cleaning agent and will get rid of the tough stains leaving your cast iron frying pan as good as new.
Tips To Clean A Stainless Steel Frying Pan
It is highly recommended to clean the scorched pan as soon as possible. Or at least remove as much mess as you can. To keep stainless steel pans spotless, wash with a soft sponge and instantly dry it with a towel to avoid those annoying watermarks.
To get rid of scorching bits, pour vinegar and water into the pan and let it boil. This should soften the stains enough for you to scratch them off with a wooden spoon or a brush.
You may also use the magic ingredient baking soda to clean the pan. All you need is water and baking soda. Now be generous with baking soda and sprinkle it on the bottom of the pan. Add a little bit of water to make a thick paste and let it rest for a few minutes. Use a scouring pad to clean it. You can repeat this process until everything is shiny and clean.
Tips To Clean A Non-Stick Frying Pan
I love non-stick frying pans for the fact that they are super-easy to clean. They are non-stick, therefore food doesn’t get stuck to the bottom easily. And even when it does, you can always clean it with warm water, soap, and a bit of gentle scrubbing.
I usually tackle the burnt pan right away by scrubbing it gently with the sponge. If the stains are stubborn, fill the pan with water and put it on the stove, and let it simmer for 15 minutes. The burnt part will come off easily then, just wash and rinse.
To save the coatings of your frying pan, avoid washing it in the dishwasher. Hand wash is always preferable if you want to increase the longevity of your non-stick frying pan.
Tips To Clean A Copper Frying Pan
If you love your copper frying pans, you would want them all shiny and sparkling. For general cleaning, just wash them with warm water and a soap dish. However, if you like your copper dishes with patina, there are some quick tips that actually work.
One tip is to make a paste combining lemon (or vinegar) and baking soda and cover the pot with this paste. Now rub smoothly in a circular motion for some time and then rinse and dry it off.
You may also use ketchup for this purpose. Yes, really! The tomato ketchup includes a particular acid that helps with the stains or tarnishes. Just apply ketchup all over the pan and rub. Wash and pat it dry.
Avoid cleaning agents with bleach in them as bleach will ruin your copper pans. Want to learn more about cleaning copper pans? Read our guide on How To Clean Copper Pans.
Tips To Clean A Ceramic Pan
Ceramic frying pans have non-stick quality so cleaning them is not a big hassle. Warm soapy water with a soft sponge is all you need to clean a ceramic pan. But if you have a scorched pan on your hands, there are some tips you can try.
If the pan is not burnt badly, just put some water in it and leave for 2-3 hours. If that does not work, baking soda is your holy grail. Hot water, 3 tea spoons of baking soda, and 3 tea spoons of vinegar. Combine these items in the burnt pan and let it cook for 15 minutes or so.
Lastly, you can also leave the vinegar in the pan overnight to soften the stains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Make Non-Stick Pans New?
If you are using your non-stick pans daily, they can lose the non-stickiness after aggressive use. By cleaning them thoroughly, you can increase the efficiency of the non-stick coating.
Here is a simple tip: mix 1 cup of water, 2 tbsp of baking soda, a half cup of vinegar in the pan you are cleaning. Put it on the burner and let it boil for 10 minutes. Now discard the mixture, wash the pan, and then re-season the surface by applying vegetable oil to it while it is still warm. TADAAA….Your pan is non-stick again.
How To Clean A Pan With Coke?
This is a pretty popular trick. Coke is known as a grease remover so it can also be used to get rid of the scorched grease on your pans. Add coke to your pan and let it simmer for 30 minutes. Now just scrub the grease with a scouring pad.
Wrap Up
You don’t need harsh chemicals to clean a frying pan. The tips shared in this article are effective and practical. Baking soda and vinegar are the best cleaning agents and are being used by our grandmothers for generations.
Cleaning your fryings pans rightly can increase the longevity of your pans remarkably!
