How to Clean a Burnt Saucepan: Top 5 Methods

2 - Aluminium Foil

Method

Rinse your dirty pot with hot water and drain. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of baking soda generously over the surface. Add a few teaspoons of hot water to form a paste, then scrub with a golf ball-sized piece of crumpled foil. Continue scrubbing until all burnt debris is lifted, then rinse thoroughly with hot, soapy water to complete the cleaning.

Result

This method provided excellent results. After an initial scrub, a small touch-up with extra baking soda was needed, but the foil effectively removed the grime. While this technique works faster and more effectively than the baking soda and vinegar method, the abrasive foil may scratch non-stick pans, potentially causing long-term damage. Because of this, we’re hesitant to fully recommend it for how to clean a burnt saucepan.

1 - Dishwasher Tablet

Method

Fill the saucepan with enough water to cover the burnt areas, then drop in a dishwasher tablet. Place the pan on medium heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Afterward, rinse the pan and wipe away any residue with a soft sponge. Finish by washing as usual to reveal a sparkling clean saucepan with minimal effort.

Result

We were amazed by how well this method worked! The pan was perfectly clean with no need for additional scrubbing or other methods. We used a Fairy Platinum Plus dishwasher tablet, which is the only downside due to its higher cost. However, given its effectiveness, we believe it’s worth the expense—certainly better than tossing the pan in the bin!