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How to Get Stuck Things Off of a Pan

Stuck, burnt-on food and scorch marks don't mean the end for your favorite pans. Save your cookware and minimize the amount of scrubbing while still removing the stuck things from inside. Vigorous scrubbing may eventually remove the stuck-on food, but it can cause scratches to the pan's finish while taking too much time and effort. Heat and the right cleaning solution loosen the food so it washes right out of the pan with only minimal scrubbing and scraping.

Things You'll Need

  • Baking soda or scouring powder
  • Lemon juice
  • Spatula
  • Scrubber or scraper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda or scouring powder over the stuck-on food. Add enough water to completely submerge the burnt portion. Use lemon juice instead of soda if the pan is made of aluminum or stainless steel.

    • 2

      Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.

    • 3

      Insert a plastic spatula between the stuck-on food and the side of the pan. Lift as much of the food from the pan bottom as possible.

    • 4

      Rinse the pan out in hot water. Scrub with a dish scrubber to remove the remaining food residue. If scratching is a concern, use a plastic pot scraper instead of a dish scrubber.