Cooking is a reasonably enjoyable activity. Eating is even more fun. Dishes, however, are a completely different story. Does anyone enjoy washing dishes? Of course not. Especially when your cooking went a little awry and you’re left with gunk burnt onto the bottom of your best pot.
Before you get too frustrated, remember that anything can be cleaned if you have the proper tools. In the case of burnt pots, those tools take the form of common household items. So instead of putting yourself at risk of carpal tunnel from trying to scrub your pots with regular old soap and water, check out these tips that will make your dish-washing duties much easier.
1. Hydrogen peroxide & baking soda
Baking soda can be used to clean just about anything, and burnt pots are no exception. To easily clean the burnt-on gunk, pour in enough peroxide to cover the affected areas and then sprinkle in the baking soda. Swirl the ingredients a little to make sure they mix together and then walk away for a few hours. When you return, you should be able to wipe everything out and have a clean pot again.
Baking soda can be used to clean just about anything, and burnt pots are no exception. To easily clean the burnt-on gunk, pour in enough peroxide to cover the affected areas and then sprinkle in the baking soda. Swirl the ingredients a little to make sure they mix together and then walk away for a few hours. When you return, you should be able to wipe everything out and have a clean pot again.
ONE LITTLE PROJECT
2. Vinegar
Since vinegar is always a solution to cleaning issues, it’s no surprise that boiling a cup of water and a cup of vinegar together can help you get rid of any burnt remains in your pots. After you’ve boiled the liquid mixture, sprinkle in a little baking soda, pour everything out and then use a scouring pad to remove anything that’s left.
Since vinegar is always a solution to cleaning issues, it’s no surprise that boiling a cup of water and a cup of vinegar together can help you get rid of any burnt remains in your pots. After you’ve boiled the liquid mixture, sprinkle in a little baking soda, pour everything out and then use a scouring pad to remove anything that’s left.
APARTMENT THERAPY
3. Dish soap & dryer sheet
Some people think that dryer sheets are for the laundry room alone. Those people are wrong. If you’re trying to get rid of the burnt remains of last night’s dinner, pour some water and dish soap into the pot and then add a dryer sheet. Leave everything to soak for at least an hour. When you come back, dump out the water and use the dryer sheet to wipe away any residue.
Some people think that dryer sheets are for the laundry room alone. Those people are wrong. If you’re trying to get rid of the burnt remains of last night’s dinner, pour some water and dish soap into the pot and then add a dryer sheet. Leave everything to soak for at least an hour. When you come back, dump out the water and use the dryer sheet to wipe away any residue.
QP MAIDS
4. Cream of Tartar
Since cream of tartar is usually used in baking, it’s possible that it could have had a hand in burning your pot in the first place. But the acidic content of this kitchen aid can redeem itself by helping you remove the gunk from your burnt pots. Just make a paste by combining cream of tartar and vinegar and use a cloth to scrub the mixture over the burnt areas of the pot until it’s clean again.
Since cream of tartar is usually used in baking, it’s possible that it could have had a hand in burning your pot in the first place. But the acidic content of this kitchen aid can redeem itself by helping you remove the gunk from your burnt pots. Just make a paste by combining cream of tartar and vinegar and use a cloth to scrub the mixture over the burnt areas of the pot until it’s clean again.
ONE GOOD THING
5. Ketchup
You probably thought ketchup was just for eating, right? While it is one of the best condiments, ketchup can also be used to help clean your burnt pots. Just pour a thick layer of ketchup over the burnt patches and leave it alone overnight. When you get up the next morning, you can use water to rinse the pot, washing away the ketchup and the formerly burnt-on gunk.
You probably thought ketchup was just for eating, right? While it is one of the best condiments, ketchup can also be used to help clean your burnt pots. Just pour a thick layer of ketchup over the burnt patches and leave it alone overnight. When you get up the next morning, you can use water to rinse the pot, washing away the ketchup and the formerly burnt-on gunk.
HUFFINGTON POST
6. Coke
Coke is surprisingly effective when used for cleaning purposes (though I wouldn’t recommend trying to clean your teeth with it). If you’ve tried everything else and your pots still aren’t clean, pour in a can of Coke, turn on your stove and let it sizzle for a while. You might have to do a little bit of scrubbing, but for the most part the Coke will do all of the work to get rid of the burnt patches.
Coke is surprisingly effective when used for cleaning purposes (though I wouldn’t recommend trying to clean your teeth with it). If you’ve tried everything else and your pots still aren’t clean, pour in a can of Coke, turn on your stove and let it sizzle for a while. You might have to do a little bit of scrubbing, but for the most part the Coke will do all of the work to get rid of the burnt patches.
MEGHAN TELPNER
7. Salt
Adding a few tablespoons of salt to a pot of water is another quick way to clean any burnt residue left from your last meal. Just boil the saltwater for a few minutes, then pour out all but about half an inch of the water. Add a few more tablespoons of salt and use a sponge to scrub the areas of the pot that still look burnt. After you’re finished scrubbing, rinse out the pot and it should look as good as new.
Adding a few tablespoons of salt to a pot of water is another quick way to clean any burnt residue left from your last meal. Just boil the saltwater for a few minutes, then pour out all but about half an inch of the water. Add a few more tablespoons of salt and use a sponge to scrub the areas of the pot that still look burnt. After you’re finished scrubbing, rinse out the pot and it should look as good as new.
SPOON UNIVERSITY
8. Lemons
If you need to clean up a pot that not only looks burnt, but is also carrying around a lingering odor, lemons are your best bet. Cut a lemon into enough chunks or slices to cover the entire bottom of your pot, pour in enough water to also cover the bottom and bring the whole thing to a rolling boil. Once you start to see burnt specks floating around with the lemons, you can turn off the heat and let the water cool. Then dump everything out and wipe out the bottom of the pan. If there are still a few burnt places, you should be able to easily remove those with a quick scrub.
If you need to clean up a pot that not only looks burnt, but is also carrying around a lingering odor, lemons are your best bet. Cut a lemon into enough chunks or slices to cover the entire bottom of your pot, pour in enough water to also cover the bottom and bring the whole thing to a rolling boil. Once you start to see burnt specks floating around with the lemons, you can turn off the heat and let the water cool. Then dump everything out and wipe out the bottom of the pan. If there are still a few burnt places, you should be able to easily remove those with a quick scrub.
HOME TALK
Burnt pots look terrible and can occasionally affect the taste of everything you cook in them. So instead of wasting energy trying to scrub away the burnt patches, armed with nothing but water and a sponge, try one of these tips instead. And don’t forget to share this list with your friends on Facebook so they can try out some of the ideas, too!
RESOURCES BANNER IMAGE CREDIT, HTTPS://WWW.POPSUGAR.COM/SMART-LIVING/HOW-CLEAN-SCORCHED-PAN-42319455, AND HTTP://WWW.ONEGOODTHINGBYJILLEE.COM/2015/01/10-BEST-WAYS-CLEAN-BURNT-FOOD-POTS-PANS.HTML
