Baking Soda, Salt and Vinegar
Method
To start, fill your dirty pan with equal parts water and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil and carefully add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Remove the pan from heat and allow it to soak for up to 15 minutes. Once soaked, pour the liquid down the drain. Use a sponge or scouring pad to scrub off any remaining burnt-on residue. If stubborn spots persist, create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply this paste to the spots, let it sit for a few minutes, and scrub again.
Top Tip: Be cautious when combining baking soda and vinegar, as it can cause a vigorous reaction. To avoid overflow, slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water.
Boiled Lemons
Method
Slice two to three lemons and place them in your dirty pan. Add just enough water to cover the lemons, then heat the pan over medium-high until it simmers for about 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready for a final scrub when food particles start floating to the surface. Discard the lemons, drain the water, and rinse the pan with hot water. Use a scouring pad to remove any remaining residue.
Result
This method did work, but it required a lot of scrubbing to finish the job. Although the all-natural approach is appealing, it wasn’t as effective as other methods we tried to clean burnt pans. We had to scrub vigorously in hot water to remove the debris. In hindsight, using regular dish soap might have been just as effective, and we wouldn’t have wasted two good lemons.
The Pink Stuff
Method
To tackle stubborn buildup and tough stains on your pots and pans, apply Pink Stuff Paste with a scrub brush. Scrub the affected areas until the stains are gone. For particularly tough spots, allow the paste to sit on the stain for a few minutes before scrubbing.
Result
The Pink Stuff Paste proved to be highly effective at removing tough stains and grime. With a bit of elbow grease, even the most stubborn buildup was lifted, leaving the pots and pans noticeably cleaner. Letting the paste sit for a few minutes on tougher stains made the scrubbing process even easier. Overall, this method delivered excellent results, making it a reliable option for deep cleaning your cookware. However, please be aware that The Pink Stuff is a mild abrasive, so it may not be suitable for non-stick pans.