The essentials in 30 seconds
Let the pan cool first, and never put a hot pan under cold water: All-Clad warns it can warp. Then cover the burnt area with water, add baking soda (Tefal suggests 2 to 3 tablespoons) and bring it to the boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Off the heat, scrape gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until the burnt bits lift, then wash with washing-up liquid and a non-scratch sponge. On stainless steel, a splash of white vinegar after the boil fizzes and helps, and a paste of a non-abrasive, non-chlorine cleanser shifts what is left. On non-stick, stay gentle: baking soda paste and a soft sponge only. Never use steel wool, steel scouring pads, oven cleaner or bleach.
- Burnt base outside: thick baking soda paste for 15 to 20 minutes, then a non-scratch sponge.
- Cast iron: hot water and a stiff brush, not long soaks or soap (Tefal).
- Burnt marks that will not shift on non-stick may mean the coating is wearing out (Tefal).
How to clean a burnt pan with baking soda
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01
Cool the pan
Let it cool before cleaning; do not cool it under cold water.
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02
Cover the burn
Enough water to cover the burnt area.
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03
Add baking soda
2 to 3 tablespoons (Tefal), or a generous sprinkling (All-Clad).
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04
Boil
A gentle boil for 5 to 10 minutes.
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05
Scrape
Off the heat, let it cool slightly and scrape with a wooden spoon or spatula.
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06
Wash
Hot water, washing-up liquid and a non-scratch sponge.
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07
Finish the marks
More baking soda on the spot and a little scrubbing; on stainless steel, a non-chlorine cleanser paste.
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08
Dry straight away
To avoid water spots, especially on stainless steel.
Burnt pans by material
| Material | Method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel | Water and baking soda boiled, splash of white vinegar, non-scratch or nylon scourer; paste of a non-abrasive, non-chlorine cleanser for burnt fat and charred food | Steel wool, steel scouring pads, oven cleaner, bleach or peroxide detergents |
| Non-stick | Baking soda paste or the baking soda boil, soft sponge | Salt, scouring pads, abrasive scrubbing, metal utensils |
| Burnt-on saucepan (milk, rice) | Water, 1 tbsp baking soda and a squeeze of washing-up liquid, simmer 10 minutes, cool, scrape with wood; repeat if needed | Scrubbing hard on the first go |
| Outside of the base | Thick baking soda and water paste for 15 to 20 minutes, non-scratch sponge or old toothbrush, rinse and dry | Harsh abrasive pads |
| Cast iron | Hot water and a stiff brush | Soaking or soap, which can strip the seasoning |
Burnt stainless steel pans and discolouration
All-Clad's method for burnt food is to sprinkle the surface generously with baking soda, add water, bring it to the boil and loosen the food with a wooden spoon. For burnt fat, protein shadows and charred food that remain, it suggests a non-abrasive, non-chlorine cookware cleanser made into a paste with a little water and applied with a soft cloth or sponge. Stainless steel also shows other marks: blue or rainbow discolouration comes off with white vinegar on a soft cloth, and cloudy white hard water spots with a 1:1 white vinegar and water solution brought to the boil. All-Clad says nylon scrubbing pads are fine on stainless steel surfaces only.
Burnt non-stick pans
Tefal says non-stick pans need a gentler touch: abrasive scrubbing damages the coating over time, so stick to baking soda pastes, not salt or scouring pads, and always use a soft sponge. All-Clad recommends letting non-stick pans cool completely before washing to avoid thermal shock, and washing them by hand with nylon pads or a soft sponge, without oven cleaners, steel wool or chlorine or peroxide bleach. If burnt marks will not shift on a non-stick pan, Tefal notes it may be a sign the coating is wearing out. If the coating is scratched or damaged, follow the manufacturer's advice on whether to keep using the pan.
What ruins a pan when cleaning it
- Cold water on a hot pan, which can warp it.
- Steel wool and steel scouring pads.
- Oven cleaners, harsh detergents, and detergents with chlorine or peroxide bleach.
- Abrasive scrubbing, salt and scourers on non-stick.
- Soaking and soap on seasoned cast iron.
How to clean a burnt pan: frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to clean a burnt pan?
Cover the burn with water, add baking soda, boil for 5 to 10 minutes, then scrape with a wooden spoon and wash.
How do I clean a burnt stainless steel pan?
Boil water and baking soda in it, add a splash of white vinegar, then scrub with a non-scratch scourer. A non-chlorine cleanser paste removes what is left.
How do I clean a burnt non-stick pan?
Gently: baking soda paste or the baking soda boil and a soft sponge. No salt, scouring pads or metal utensils.
Can I use steel wool on a burnt pan?
No. All-Clad and Tefal both warn that steel wool and harsh abrasive pads scratch and damage pans.
How do I clean the burnt bottom of a pan?
Spread a thick baking soda and water paste on the base, leave it 15 to 20 minutes, scrub with a non-scratch sponge, rinse and dry.
Can I put a hot burnt pan in cold water to soak?
No. All-Clad warns that placing a hot pan under cold water can warp it. Let it cool first.
Sources
Manufacturer guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- All-Clad · Use and care guide ↗Allow pans to cool before cleaning; soak in warm soapy water, sponge, nylon scouring pad; dry immediately; non-abrasive, non-chlorine cleanser paste for burnt fat and charred food; white vinegar for discolouration; 1:1 vinegar and water boiled for hard water spots; baking soda and water boiled with a wooden spoon for burnt food; no oven cleaners, steel wool, steel scouring pads, harsh detergents or bleach or peroxide detergents; nylon pads on stainless steel only; never a hot pan under cold water; non-stick cooled completely and washed by hand with nylon pads or a soft sponge.
- Tefal UK · How to clean a burnt pan ↗Water to cover the burn and 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda, gentle boil 5 to 10 minutes, wooden spoon, wash with washing-up liquid and a non-scratch sponge; stainless steel with baking soda, splash of white vinegar, non-scratch scourer, paste for 10 minutes, no steel wool; burnt saucepans with baking soda and washing-up liquid simmered 10 minutes; burnt bases with a paste for 15 to 20 minutes; non-stick with baking soda paste and a soft sponge, no salt or scouring pads; cast iron with hot water and a stiff brush.
Non-stick coating peeling or pan warped?
Cleaning will not restore it: check the manufacturer's guarantee and care advice before deciding whether to replace it.