How To Clean a Burnt Pot?

Clean a Burnt Pot: Hit cookery shows like Masterchef have instilled in us a sense of confidence in the kitchen. Our loved ones are likely to be thriving as a result of being treated to a dinner party soiree. On the contrary, our pan sets are likely to be flailing under the strain of constant use.

Although that one-pot recipe may look delicious when served onto a plate, it leaves a disaster trail beneath pots. Consider burned, coated food remnants that would put even the toughest scourers to the test.

While we cannot really prevent the misery of a charred pot in the first place, we have a solution though. How about cleaning your scorched pot and making it seem as good as new, if not better? So, before you toss your burnt pot in the trash, try one of these innovative cleaning solutions. They will indeed give the bottom of your pots and pans a new lease on life. Scroll over to read more.

When To Clean a Burnt Pot

The temptation to put off dealing with a scorched pan until the next day is natural. However, if you want to use your pot, dealing with it at the earliest is the best course of action. Moreover, dealing with it while still fresh and warm may result in the stain melting away very soon.

Ways to clean a Burnt Pot

As we already said, nothing is more frustrating than discovering a burnt pot covered with stains that refuse to budge. It is definitely no one’s favorite chore. However, if you have the proper knowledge, you too can clean burnt pots with minimal effort.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Liquid Soap

Pour a few drops of liquid soap into a pan filled with hot water to prevent scorching. Boil for 10 minutes. Subsequently, remove from the heat and cool fully before washing with a sponge’s abrasive side.

Clean a Burnt Pot with Liquid Soap

Furthermore, to remove stains from steel and enamel pots, add lemon before boiling. However, avoid using lemon in cast iron or copper cookware since it can corrode them. To fill in the pores and create a smooth, non-stick surface, rinse your pan and spray it with cooking oil.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Dishwasher Tablet

The powdery dishwasher tablets (not the liquid ones) turn out to be useful for more than just the dishwasher. Simply fill the bottom of your pan with a small amount of water. Subsequently, warm it on low heat in this scenario. Further, take the pot off the heat and scrape the burnt-on bits with the tablet. Wash with warm soapy water after rinsing.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Boiling Water

This cleaning method entails returning to the source of the problem – the stove. Fill the saucepan halfway with water, or just enough to cover the burnt area. Bring the water to a boil, then set aside for 5-7 minutes to cool.

Subsequently, take the pot from the heat and lay it aside to cool. Pour away the water once it reaches room temperature. If necessary, carefully scrape any large, now softened, charred chunks into the rubbish bin. Use a plastic spatula or wooden spoon for the same.

Clean a Burnt Pot with Boiling Water

Finally, add 2 teaspoons of baking soda to the wet pan. Additionally, scrape any leftover spots with a cookware-safe sponge or scouring pad. Besides, you can use a powerful, abrasive combination of baking soda paste and a little elbow grease. Thus, the black residue will come off much easier.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can clean a burnt pot and restore its shine. Distilled white vinegar, on the other hand, is a natural cleaner and degreaser. This burnt pot cleaning method, unlike some others, does not require blending the two ingredients though.

Firstly, pour in enough water and white vinegar to fully cover the charred area. On the stovetop, bring the vinegar and water to a boil. Allow it to boil for at least 5 minutes though. Eventually, remove it from the heat and empty it down the drain. In addition, pour enough baking soda to cover the scorched area after rinsing the burnt pan with cool water. Finally, scrub any leftover burn marks with a scouring pad before washing the pan.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Vinegar

The acidity of the vinegar, besides the heat, will help in dissolving the persistent stains left by burned food. Pour enough water and vinegar into the pot to completely cover the burned areas. Additionally, boil it for 5 minutes.

You might see blackened material breaking away from the pot’s bottom and sides as it boils. Repeat the procedures of soaking the pot while the liquid cools, pouring it out. Then scrub away any leftover charred muck with a sponge safe for the cookware you’re cleaning.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Baking Soda

The shine you can obtain with this tip will astound you. If all goes according to plan, you could even be able to see your own reflection in the pan! However, you will also need a scourer and some vinegar on hand.

Fill your pan halfway with water to slightly cover the bottom. Add 1 cup apple cider vinegar to it. Further, bring this solution to a boil, then turn off the heat. Now, allow 2 tablespoons of baking soda to work its way into the liquid for a few minutes. Nonetheless, wait until it begins to bubble. Finally, scrub any remaining charred particles from the pan with a scourer.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Cream of Tartar

You can replace baking soda with a cream of tartar, which works as an abrasive substitute. In a charred pan, combine a spoonful of it with a cup of water and bring to a boil. Allow the water to cool before using though. Moreover, scrub the pan to restore its luster.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Salt

One of the most common remedies for a scorched pot is salt. Salt, in addition to flavoring your favorite foods, also helps you to clean your pots and pans. It is ideal to use a pan with mild burn marks on the edges and bottom for this salt treatment. It is also worth noting that cooking salt has antibacterial properties. Hence, it is great for getting rid of grime and other potentially hazardous substances.


In the center of the pot, sprinkle a good amount of salt. Work the salt into the scorched areas using a damp sponge. As needed, repeat this procedure.

Else, simply chop a huge potato in half and rub its cut side into the burn areas. And there you have it – your pot should be sparkling clean.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Lemon

This is an excellent natural cleaning method that does not involve the use of added chemicals. Nonetheless, lemon and water is a classic way of removing caked-on dirt from cookware. The citric acid in lemons helps to break down burned food stains just like acetic acid in white vinegar does. Moreover, you are free from the harsh odor. Besides, the lemon approach will clean a burnt pot while also adding a fresh citrus aroma to your kitchen. That’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?


First and foremost, cut two lemons into quarters or thick slices and arrange them in the bottom of the saucepan. Further, on the burner, bring enough water to cover the entire burnt area to a boil. As the lemon floats around, the charred food particles from the bottom of the pan will be visible.

The majority of the stains should fall off the bottom on their own. Remove the pot from the heat after about 5 minutes. Subsequently, set it aside to soak while the water cools to room temperature. Using a soft sponge, gently clean away any remaining filth after discarding the water and lemon pieces.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Salt and Lime

These two surprising substances work together to make a powerful cleaning solution for your stainless steel pan. The acidity of the lime combats difficult particles. On the contrary, the coarseness of the salt aids in the removal of loose food.

In a pot, squeeze lime juice and season with salt. Allow the mixture to settle for a few minutes. However, add more salt to the pan. Furthermore, scrub the area with a non-abrasive scrubber right away. Finally, rinse and dry as usual once you remove the excess food.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Dryer Sheet

Dryer sheets are capable of doing more than just giving a pleasant scent and softness to your favorite clothes. Did you know how they are also ideal for cleaning up charred pots and pans in your kitchen? Henceforth, follow the tips here to get clean cookware after using dryer sheets.


Firstly, toss in a few drops of dishwashing liquid in the pan. Fill it next with a few inches of boiling water and cover. Place a dryer sheet over the water. Furthermore, press it down to fully submerge it. Allow about an hour of soak time. Finally, scrub any remaining charred parts out of the pan.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Rice

Did you know that rice is an excellent method for getting rid of humidity? If your phone becomes wet by mistake, you can use it. However, that’s not all. It is also great for dishwashing and removing burnt stains from your pots. So the question now is – how do you clean a burnt-out pot using rice?

Well, start off by simply boiling a cup of water with a small bit of rice. The resulting mass should draw the burns up. Moreover, it even makes those burns easier to remove with dish soap and a cloth.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Coke

Have a spare can of Coke or two lying around your place? Are there any leftover dregs of a bottle that has gone flat? If yes, then why not crack your Coke cans open and put these to use for cleaning?

Clean a Burnt Pot with Coke

Coke is a widely popular beverage around the world. It is not only good for quenching thirst but also has a variety of additional benefits. It is particularly good at removing rust, for instance. This beverage can also aid in the removal of rusty screws that have become lodged.

Pour just a couple of inches of Coke inside your pan. Allow this to soak for a few hours though. Finally, start peeling away any fat, burned food, or residue with a scraper.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Soda

Pour soda into the pan while it is still hot to coat the bottom. It may either be club soda or an inexpensive store-brand soda. Additionally, allow the soda’s carbonation to remove the charred dirt before cleaning the pan.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Alka Seltzer

This ordinary effervescent will perform similarly to club soda. Add 1-2 tablets to a pan of boiling water. Further, let those sit for a few minutes to help with persistent burns.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Aluminum Foil

The aluminum foil hack for cleaning a burnt pot is effective and inexpensive. Nonetheless, it does involve a little more elbow grease than the other methods. It also comes with a word of warning. Do not use aluminum foil on nonstick cookware since it will scratch the coating.

Clean a Burnt Pot with Aluminum Foil

To begin, fill the pot with enough warm water to cover the burnt area. It’s also a good idea to throw in a teaspoon of dish soap and soak it for half an hour. Make a ball out of a thin sheet of aluminum foil. Scrub the pot with the abrasive foil ball until the stubborn scorched food residue is gone. Toss the homemade metal scrubber into the recycle bin once you’re done.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Ketchup

Ketchup may not be acidic enough to remove major burns from pans on its own. However, you can still use it to revive dull, tarnished pots and pans. Apply a thin layer of ketchup to the affected region. Furthermore, wipe clean after 15 minutes.

How To Clean a Burnt Pot with Fabric Softener

When it comes to your stainless steel frying pans, your laundry room may be able to assist you. Grab your fabric softener and get ready to rumble with this method.

Firstly, fill the pan with water halfway up the sides. Add the fabric softener to the mix now (one sheet or one tablespoon of fabric softener). Allow for a few hours of soak time, nevertheless. Using a scouring sponge, scrub the area. Next, remove the water and fabric softener mixture from the container. Furthermore, follow your normal cleaning routine.

Steps To Clean a Burnt Pot

  • Allow the pan to cool before filling it with water and dishwasher tablets or a tablespoon of organic laundry detergent. Nonetheless, biological detergents contain enzymes that specifically intend to remove food stains. In addition, they also work on burnt-on food residue.
  • Return the pan to the stove-top and heat to a boil.
  • Allow simmering for around 10 minutes at least. Watch as the burnt parts easily lift away, thus restoring your pan to new condition.
  • Repeat as needed, then thoroughly wash as usual. Likewise, you can also use this approach with hob-safe roasting tins.