Make sure to dry off the bottom of the pan after you’re done filling it with water. You don’t want to put it on the stove if there are drops of water that may fall onto the burner.
For very stubborn scorch marks, you may want to use dishwashing detergent in place of liquid dish soap. You can use a single tablet, several drops of liquid, or 1 to 2 tablespoons of powdered dishwashing detergent.
Be sure to boil the water and dish detergent mixture, not just simmer it. You’ll know that it’s boiling when you see large bubbles rising from the bottom of the pan and it’s giving off nearly constant steam.
You may need to use some type of scrubbing sponge or tool to remove all of the scorch marks. However, make sure that the pan material won’t be damaged. [5] X Expert Source Susan StockerGreen Cleaning Expert Expert Interview. 8 November 2019. Steel wool pads are effective, but they often scratch the bottom of the pan, which may cause further damage. Sponges that are covered with plastic netting are an ideal alternative because they help scrub away scorch marks but won’t scratch your pan.
The amount of vinegar that you add to the pan will depend on the amount of water that you used. Keep the ratio 1 part water to 1 part vinegar.
The pan will be hot when you add the baking soda, so be careful not to touch it and burn yourself. Allow the baking soda and vinegar to fizz for as long as it takes for the pan to cool. You can also use cream of tartar in place of baking soda to clean a scorched pan. However, you should mix 1 tablespoon of the cream of tartar with 1 cup of water and omit the vinegar before adding it in the pan. While baking soda can work well on a stainless steel pan, you shouldn’t use it or any other alkaline-based cleaning product on anodized aluminum cookware.
While it may help to use a sponge with netting or a scrub brush while you’re washing the pan, the baking soda and boiling water should have sufficiently loosened the film and debris so it’s easy to remove. If there are any stubborn scorch marks that won’t scrub free, mix some baking soda with a few drops of water to form a paste. Apply it to the problem spots and allow it to sit for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before cleaning the pan as usual. For extremely stubborn cases, you may need to repeat the entire process one or more times.
Because oven cleaner has the potential to damage cookware, you should only use it if you’ve tried other methods of cleaning your scorched pan and they’ve failed. If you’re planning to toss the pan anyway, it’s a worth a try to use the oven cleaner.
If you’re especially sensitive to fumes, you may want to wear a dust mask over your nose and mouth when you’re using the oven cleaner. Be sure to read all of the safety warnings on the oven cleaner’s packaging so you’re aware of any other safety precautions that you should take.
While spray oven cleaners formulas are usually the most common, you can also find cream and foam formulas that may work better when you’re cleaning a scorched pan.
If you don’t have any area outside that you can set the pan, open a window and set it on the window ledge.
If you’re concerned about oven cleaner residue being left behind on the pan, wipe it down with a dry towel after you’ve rinsed it initially to see if anything comes off on the towel. You should definitely rinse it again if you notice any film, though you may want to rinse it again even if the pan is clean to be safe.
