How To Clean A Burnt Pot

Burnt, blackened, sooty mess. These are just a few of the words that can describe a pot that has been scorched by too much heat. While it may seem like a hopeless case, there are six easy ways to clean a burnt pot.

Prepare Your Cleaning Supplies

To clean a burnt pot, you’ll need the following:

• Clean non-abrasive sponge
• Clean stiff-bristled brush
• Clean scouring pad or steel wool — depending on the material of your pot, as cleaning stainless steel is different from cleaning aluminium.
• Clean wooden spoon or plastic spatula
• Aluminium foil
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Dish soap

Simple Ways For Cleaning A Burnt Pot

Method 1: Leave The Pot To Soak Overnight

We’ve all been there — saying “I’ll just let it soak overnight and wash it in the morning” while leaving the sink full of greasy pots and pans. But this time, the pots won’t magically be clean by morning. 

This is the easiest way to clean a burnt stainless steel pot. You’ll need to soak the pot in hot water and dish soap overnight. Doing so will loosen the burnt food and make it easier to scrub off. Then, wash the pots and pans in the morning.

However, this guide is for more seriously burnt cookware. So, if the scorched pot is still in your sink, don’t fret.

Method 2: Boiling Water

The next time you find yourself with a burnt pan, a pot of boiling water can be your saviour. Here’s how it works:

1. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the burnt area. 
2. Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes. 
3. Use a wooden spoon or other non-scratch utensil to gently scrape away the burnt residue. 
4. Rinse the pot with hot water.
5. Scrub any remaining debris with a stiff-bristled brush.
6. Wash the pot with warm water and dish soap.
7. Dry completely before storing.

Method 3: White Vinegar

Soap and water don’t always cut it, and scrubbing can damage the stainless steel finish of your burnt pan or pot. However, there is a way to clean a burnt pot that relies completely on white vinegar.

1. Simply fill the pot with equal parts water and white vinegar.
2. Let the pot soak overnight, then empty it in the morning.
3. The burnt food should easily come off when you lightly scrub it with a non-abrasive sponge.
4. If there’s still some stubborn residue, repeat step one and boil the mixture for a few minutes to loosen up the stuck on grime.
5. Let the mixture sit for an hour before draining and scrubbing again.
6. Repeat as necessary until the scorched area is gone.

Method 4: Boiling Water And Baking Soda

With a little boiling water and baking soda, you can easily get your scorched cookware looking new again. Here’s how:

1. First, fill the pot with enough water to cover the burnt area.
2. Add 1 cup of baking soda and stir to combine.
3. Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil.
4. Let it boil for a few minutes, then turn off the heat and let the pot soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. After soaking, use steel wool or a sponge to scrub the burnt parts.
6. If the burned-on parts are still there, make a baking soda paste to loosen them.
7. Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with water to form a paste.
8. Apply the paste to the pot and let it sit for 30 minutes.
9. Gently scrub the paste with a non-abrasive sponge.
10. Rinse the pot with hot water, then wash as normal in your sink.

Method 5: White Vinegar And Baking Soda

This is the best method to clean a burnt pot because all you need are two common household ingredients.

1. Start by adding equal parts of vinegar and water to the burnt pot.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 minutes.
4. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda and scrub with a sponge or brush.
5. Once you’ve scrubbed away as much of the charred areas as possible, rinse the pot well with hot water.
6. If any lingering burnt bits remain, repeat the process until they are gone.
7. Then, wash the pot or pan as usual with soap and water.
8. Rinse well and wash as normal.

Method 6: Aluminium Foil

If none of the cleaning methods above worked for you, here’s how to clean a burnt pot with another readily available household item — aluminium foil.

Crumple up a piece of aluminium foil into a ball and use it to scrub away the burnt food. Rinse the pot clean after with warm water. The foil will act as a gentle abrasive, breaking up the burnt food without damaging the pot. And best of all, this method is non-toxic and won’t leave behind any harmful residue.

This is not the best method for nonstick pans and pots. Cleaning methods that involve scrubbing with metal — whether that’s steel wool, a scouring pad, or an aluminium foil ball — will damage a nonstick pan’s coating.

Nothing’s Stew Difficult

Any home chef has had the unfortunate experience of burning a pot or two. But with the right cleaning method, that pot will look good in no time. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the thought of cleaning burnt pots and pans, we have professional cleaners who are more than willing to help you out.