I hate it when my pots and pans still look dirty after I’ve scrubbed them for what seems like days. You know what I’m talking about - that stuck-on grease or non-stick cooking spray just doesn’t seem to want to go! It’s not that the pans are dirty; they just need a little TLC to get them looking shiny and new again. Lucky for you, I’ve compiled a list of a few different ways to banish that stuck-on oil off your favorite pans:
1. Clean Your Pots and Pans of Debris
The first thing to do before you try any of the deep cleaning methods below is to wash your pots and pans with your favorite mild dish detergent. You want to make sure any food or debris is washed away so you can get to work on the stubborn spots!
2. Baking Soda
Be a little careful with this one as sometimes it can scratch, but I feel it does a great job on baking sheets. Especially when they have been well-loved over the years and all of that non-stick spray is STICKING. Make a paste with equal parts baking soda and water, put it on your pan, and scrub with a non-abrasive sponge. When you’re done, make sure to rinse it well and then pat dry with your favorite method to dry dishes (unpaper towels, cloth, paper towels, etc).
3. Vinegar
You knew I was going to say vinegar at some point, right? Another one of it’s seemingly never-ending list of amazing things it does is clean your pans. This works great on stainless steel pans, by the way. Mix equal parts (1:1) ratio of water and white vinegar and pour it into your pan or pot. You want to make sure it’s completely covering the areas with the stuck-on grease or oil. Put it over medium heat and let it do its thing for 10-15 minutes. You can test if it’s ready by using a wooden spoon to scrape the burnt spots - if it comes off, you’re ready to move on. After about 15 minutes, most of that burned-on grime should be gone and the rest will come off easily using a sponge and dish soap. Just make sure to ventilate the area while cooking the vinegar and it can irritate your lungs.
4. Glass/Stoneware Dishes - Let It Soak
I know I just mentioned vinegar above, but for glass dishware, you use a different method. This time, after you’ve washed it and let the dish cool completely, fill it with equal parts vinegar and water and let it soak for 10 minutes. When the time is up, leave the mixture in there and use a soft sponge or brush to scrub the dish. Then simply rinse and dry.
5. Copper Pots
The bottoms of copper pots can get a little well-loved over time. There is a simple fix for this! Sprinkle some salt on the bottom of the pan and pour or spray white vinegar on top. If the mixture changes color, don’t worry! This is supposed to happen. Using a scouring pad, rub the salt and vinegar around the bottom of the pot/pan and add more salt or vinegar as needed. Then simply rinse and dry!
Be aware that if your burned-on grime is pretty severe, it can take a few times of whichever method you choose before it comes off. Just repeat as needed and soon all of your pots and pans will look brand new! Do you have a special method to clean your pots and pans? Let us know down below!
XOXO,
Your Squeaky Green Team