Whether you consider cooking a joy or a burden (like marmite, cooking is often loved or hated), there’s no denying how much easier high-quality tools can make your time in the kitchen. From nonstick pots and pans to sharp knives and handy accessories, the proper tools can cut down preparation time and help you cook up a storm in the kitchen you love.

Pans are one of the most essential items we keep in our kitchens. Think about it, we use them for everything from frying to boiling to sautéing, and everything in between. In fact, most of us pick up a pan at least once a day when cooking. So caring for your most-used tools in the kitchen will be crucial if you hope to be succeed in the kitchen and plan to enjoy a long relationship with your cookware.

In our handy guide, we explore some of favourite tried and tested ways to clean and care for your pans. We’ll share everything you need to know hen it comes to getting rid of burnt-on food and oil. Looking to level up your kitchen with cast-iron cookware? We’ll help you get to grips with cleaning and seasoning your new pan, too.

What can I use to clean a burnt pan?

First, let's uncover the things you can use to clean your dirty pots and pans. There are plenty of ways to clean your tools with things you might already have in the cupboard – these are more than just old wives tales, these techniques can provide beautiful results.

• Hot water – use hot water to deglaze the burnt food off the base of your pan
• Baking soda & vinegar – use equal parts of water and white vinegar with a few tablespoons of baking soda
• Lemons – boil water and cut-up lemons in your pan for 10 minutes before washing
• Salt – use a wet sponge to scrub salt into affected areas of your burnt pan
• Tinfoil – scrunch some tinfoil into a ball, then use it to scour your pan
• A dishwasher tablet – add water and clean the burn with a dishwasher tablet

Keen to know more? Read on for how to clean your burnt pans with these instructions.

How to clean a burnt pan

Cleaning a dirty pan with hot water

Cleaning most things with boiling water is often a good idea, it certainly works for getting rid of burnt food off of pans. Just like you might deglaze the good stuff from the bottom of your pan when cooking, bring the temperature up and pour in some hot water to help lift away all stubborn food and grease.

1. Put your pan on the hob and turn on the heat.
2. When it’s hot enough to sizzle, pour in a good splash of water.
3. Use a wooden spoon to scrape away the burnt bits while the water helps loosen them.

Cleaning a dirty pan with baking soda & vinegar

We're big fans of using baking soda for challenging cleaning jobs in the kitchen. It’s great at removing those tough stains found in the kitchen, yet there's no harsh chemicals to worry about. BONUS! Add in some white vinegar, and we’re completely sold; both ingredients are likely to be found in your kitchen cupboards already.

1. Add water and vinegar to your pan in equal measures
2. Then bring the mixture to a boil
3. Add 2 heaped tablespoons of baking soda and watch it fizz up
4. Repeat if needed, adding water and baking soda and mixing to create a paste
5. Let the solution sit for 10 to 15 minutes
6. Thoroughly wash your pan with dish soap as you usually would

Cleaning a dirty pan with lemons

Not only are lemons delicious, they are excellent at cleaning just about anything - all thanks to their antibacterial, acidic properties. These refreshing citrus fruits also boast a refreshing smell without any harsh chemicals, again BONUS. So without further ado, here’s how to clean a burnt pan using those yellow fruits you love.

1. Chop 4 small lemons into quarters
2. Put them into the pan, with plenty of water, and bring to a boil
3. Reduce the heat and leave the lemons and water to simmer for around 10 - 15 minutes; some burnt food might float to the surface (this is normal)
4. Discard water and lemons, rinse, and wipe away any excess/ remaining burnt debris

Cleaning a dirty pan with salt

We guarantee you have table salt in your cupboards, after all it’s a good idea to keep some salt in your home at all times for seasoning your food, but also helping you clean up afterwards. That's right, salt can be helpful in all kinds of cleaning and removing tough stains, especially cooked on/ burnt food.

1. Sprinkle a generous layer of salt into the bottom of the pan
2. Use a clean, damp sponge to scrub the salt into the burnt food
3. Rinse away and repeat (as needed)

Cleaning a dirty pan with tinfoil

Don’t have a scouring pad at home? Don't worry, you can make a practical and hygienic alternative by scrunching some aluminium foil (or tin foil for some of you) into a ball. When you’re done with your make your own tool, simply recycle the foil afterwards.

1. Scrunch up a generous sheet of tinfoil into a ball
2. Scrub a cleaning agent, like baking soda (above) or dish soap, into the burnt area with your tinfoil scourer
3. Rinse the pan with warm, soapy water to check the results
4. Repeat if necessary

Cleaning a dirty pan with a dishwasher tablet

Yes, those tablets you through into the dishwasher can help you get those stubborn food stains out of your favourite pots and pans. Dishwasher tablets are packed with enzymes that break down starch and proteins in food, helping them clean your kitchenware each time you use your appliance. So it makes sense that these small-yet-mighty capsules are excellent at cleaning outside of the dishwasher, too!

1. Cover the bottom of your burnt pan with water and heat it for a moment
2. Remove your pan from the heat
3. Scrape a dishwasher tablet around any burnt areas, rubbing in small circles until the tablet starts to dissolve
4. Rinse and wash with warm, soapy water

Final thoughts

Do you have a go-to method for cleaning burnt on messes from your pots and pans? Please share it in the comments below - we wanna know (especially if it's a method we haven't tried yet). We're always looking for new products and creative ways to clean every inch of a kitchen and its appliances, cookware, cutlery etc.