Quck answer
To clean burnt popcorn from a pan, follow these steps:
1. Remove any loose or excess burnt popcorn from the pan.
2. Fill the pan with enough water to cover the burnt areas.
3. Add a few drops of dish soap to the water and let it soak for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to scrub the burnt areas gently.
5. If there are stubborn burnt spots, sprinkle baking soda over them and scrub again.
6. Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water.
7. For persistent stains, mix equal parts of vinegar and water, soak the pan for 10 minutes, and scrub again.
8. Rinse the pan one final time and dry it thoroughly.
Imagine this scenario: it’s late at night and you’re in the middle of a Netflix binge-watching session. You’ve been glued to the couch for hours and finally decide to make yourself a snack. However, as you get engrossed in the next episode, you forget about the popcorn you left on the stove. Now, both the popcorn and your pot are burnt. It’s frustrating, but fear not! There are several household items you can use to effectively remove burnt popcorn from your pot.
Removing Burnt Oil from a Pan
If you have a stainless steel or enamel pan with burnt oil, removing it should be a breeze. However, if you’re dealing with a nonstick pan, this method is not recommended. Instead, place the pan on the stovetop and turn on the heat to get rid of the burnt oil. Once the pan is hot enough that water sizzles on it, pour about 1 cup of water into the pan and let it sizzle. While the hot water loosens up the burnt areas, use a wooden spoon or nylon spatula to scrape them away.
Soaking with Soap
If water alone doesn’t do the trick, you can try adding a bit of dish soap. Simply add a few drops of dish soap to the pan, pour in hot water, and let it sit for a couple of hours. For heavily burnt pans, you can even let it soak overnight. When you’re ready to clean the pan, empty it and start running fresh warm water. Then, use a nylon scrubber to chip away the burnt bits.
Deglazing with Vinegar
To deglaze a burnt pan, you can use white vinegar and a regular kitchen scrub. Pour enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan and let it simmer for a while. The burnt oil should easily scrub off, but if it doesn’t, you can also try using fresh or bottled lemon juice as a substitute for vinegar.
Using a Dryer Sheet
Although it may sound strange, dryer sheets can be effective in cleaning a burned pan. If you have some fabric softener sheets lying around, fill the burnt pan with warm water and add a dryer sheet. Make sure to fully saturate the dryer sheet by pushing it under the water. Wait a couple of hours, then use the dryer sheet as a scrubber to loosen up the oil.
Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
Another household trick involves using hydrogen peroxide. Start by adding about a 1/2 inch of hydrogen peroxide to the pot and heat it until it starts bubbling. Let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes, then use a scrub brush to remove the burnt oil. Hydrogen peroxide is effective because it bonds to the carbon and lifts it from the pan. However, be aware that it does emit a strong odor when simmering, so it’s advisable to turn on a vent or open a window.
More Tips for Removing Burnt Oil
Many of us have baking soda readily available in our kitchens, and it is effective in getting rid of burnt oil from a pan. To start, sprinkle about a cup or two of baking soda onto the scorched pan. Then, add a small amount of water on top of the baking soda. You don’t need to add a large amount, just enough to cover the baking soda.
Next, simmer the mixture of baking soda and water for approximately 15 minutes to half an hour. During this time, the majority of the blackened burnt residue will come off, and you should be able to easily clean the pan by wiping it. However, if the residue remains, you can repeat the steps as needed. If you don’t have baking soda, regular table salt can also be used as an alternative.
