How to Clean Burnt Pots and Pans Without Ruining Them

How to Clean Burnt Pots and Pans Without Ruining Them

We’ve all been there. One moment you’re cooking a great meal—and the next, you’re staring at a blackened, burnt mess welded to the bottom of your favorite pot or pan. Burnt food can feel impossible to remove, especially from stainless steel, cast iron, or non-stick cookware.

The good news? You don’t need to throw anything away or scrub for hours. With a few simple techniques and common household ingredients, you can bring your cookware back to life.
Step 1: Start With a Soak

Before reaching for anything abrasive, try the gentlest solution first.

Fill the pot or pan with hot water and a small amount of dish soap. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes to an hour. For lighter burns, this alone may loosen the residue enough to gently scrape it away using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula.