How to Clean Burnt Ceramic Pans? Burning a ceramic pan is so common as it heats up too quickly. Once you overheat the pan or keep it on the heat source for a long time, you might not avoid your pan from getting burnt.
Regardless of whether you were less careful or you’re new to the cooking world, once the pan is burnt, you can’t make it unhappen, right? So, calm down, and let’s see how to clean the burnt ceramic pan properly.
This article contains the reasons for ceramic pans getting burnt and how you resolve the issue. There are tips that will help you prevent ceramic pans from burning in the future. Also you if you’re planning to buy ceramic fry pans and pots you can read this article carefully.
Are you ready to go?
What Causes Ceramic Pans Burn? How to Avoid It?
The most common reason why your pan is getting burnt is cooking with too much heat.
Ceramic pans have a metal core inside that heats up too quickly. And, overheating is a big no-no when it comes to ceramic pans as it will surely damage the ceramic coating. So, you must use low to medium heat to prevent the ‘burn’ thing from the very first.
If you notice, the cooking surface of a ceramic pan is so delicate and it has a plain color in most cases. It’s easier for light-colored pans to collect the coloring of any food like cherry pie or chicken fat.
To cook safely with such a smooth surface, you must use at least a little oil or fat (season your ceramic pan in the right way). Otherwise, the food may burn and leave stains eventually.
Another reason might be cooking too little food. Sounds weird? But there’s a general rule- your food should cover the whole cooking surface of your pan, it helps to avoid burns.
How to Clean Burnt Ceramic Pan- 3 Simple Methods
The first two methods are to deal with major burns but the third one is recommended when you have minor burns on the pan.
Method 1: Using Vinegar
Let’s see what materials this cleaning method requires:
- Hot water
- Vinegar
- Scrubber or Sponge
- Clean dishcloth
The steps you need to follow for the procedure are described below.
Step 0: The very first thing you need to do is to prepare the pan for cleaning. Burnt foods that are removable by hand, get rid of them first.
Step 1: Add 1 cup of white vinegar to your pan. Then, pour 4 cups of water into it. If you think that 4 cups of water can make an overflow, use less water based on the size of your pan.
Step 2: Place the pan filled with the solution on your stovetop. Now, turn on the heat (keep it medium) and let the solution boil for around 3 minutes. Turn off the heat.
Step 3: Leave it alone, let it be cold. Once it’s cold, take the pan to the sink. It’s time to scrub the pan. Use a sponge or a good scraper to remove the stubborn stain inside your pan. But make sure you avoid nylon, steel wool, steel pot, or such stronger materials to scrub the pan. These materials will lead to a scratch on your pan.
Step 4: Rinse the pan and dry it with a clean dishcloth.
If using vinegar is not your option somehow, then use Hydrogen Peroxide instead. It’s super effective to remove stubborn stains from ceramic pans.
Method 2: Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
For this method, you’ll need to collect these supplies:
- Hot water
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Sponge or scrubber
- Dry towel
And, here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Use a scrubber to get rid of the burnt, stubborn food from the pan. Remember, no need to scrub hard in this step.
Step 2: Add 3-4 cups of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of baking soda to the pan. Now, add a quart of water to the pan.
Step 3: Take your pan to the oven and set the temperature to 325℉ and the time for 15 minutes. After this duration, get your pan back and let it become cool.
Step 4: Once the cleaning solution is cold enough, use a sponge to scrub the pan.
Step 5: Finally, rinse your pan with clean water and use a dishcloth to dry it further.
Method 3: Using Soap and Water
This method is effective as long as your pan isn’t burnt much. Here’s what you’ll need to start off:
- Washing soap or liquid dishwasher
- Warm water
- Sponge
- Clean dishcloth
Here are the steps you need to go through:
Step 1: Add a dishwasher or soap to the pan and pour some hot water into the pan too. Now, wait for 30 minutes and let it cool down.
Step 2: Use the sponge to deal with the burnt areas. After that, rinse the pan.
Step 3: Use a clean and dry dishcloth to wipe the pan.
Things to Avoid While Cleaning a Burnt Ceramic Pan
To avoid any further damage to your ceramic pans, remember these tips below.
- Say ‘No’ to any abrasive sponges to scrub your pan. Because you won’t love it when they leave a scratch on your favorite pan.
- Try to avoid scraping off food using metal utensils. It’s always best if you use non-abrasive nylon spoons to do the job.
- Do not put the pan into the dishwasher as the detergents in dishwashers are too harsh for the ceramic coating. Only use mild dish soap to clean your pan.
- Over time, when the ceramic coating will show wear, stop using acidic ingredients (vinegar/lemon) to clean the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do Ceramic Pans Wear Out?
Yes. After 9-10 months of use, ceramic pans can lose their non-stick capability and wear out. But if you can’t treat the pan properly (use metal utensils or scrape it with an abrasive scrubber), it may wear out after only a few uses.
How Can I Restore a Ceramic Pan?
You can boil a mixture of water, vinegar, and baking soda in your pan for 10 minutes. It works great to remove residues like built-up food particles. After that, use vegetable oil to rub into the pan to restore it.
How Long Does Ceramic Pan Coating Last?
It depends on how you treat the pan. Ceramic coatings can last a few months to a few years. If you don’t use and clean the pan properly, it’ll lose the non-stick property fast and you need to throw the pan out.