Many people like cooking in glass pans because they conduct heat well and are oven-safe. Unfortunately, these very same qualities can mean that when you’re using glass pans, you can burn food very easily.
While some people claim that cleaning glass dishes is very easy, it is a completely different story when it comes to removing burnt food from a glass pan.
Since glass conducts temperature so well, burnt food tends to adhere very strongly to it. Moreover, if not cleaned properly, the burnt food can and will leave stains on the glass dishes.
There is also a huge chance for bacterial food contamination if glass dishes are not washed properly.
That’s why knowing how to clean a burnt glass pan is extremely important. With the right technique, you can ensure that all stubborn food that is stuck to the glass can be cleaned up properly.
Additionally, you will be surprised to learn that there are many different methods for cleaning a burnt glass pan.
How to Clean a Burnt Glass Pan
The following are the best and most effective methods you can try when you want to clean a burnt glass pan:
Soaking it In Vinegar and Water
A good idea to remove burnt bits and stains from glass pans is to soak it with some water.
While sometimes, just plain water can be effective, if the glass pan you have is particularly burnt or has discoloration, you should make use of some vinegar as well.
Luckily, it is actually very easy to create a vinegar-water soak at home and you do not need any other ingredients other than the ones in your pantry.
Things You Will Need:
- 1 cup of vinegar (any kind, white, apple cider or other variants)
- 4 cups of water
- Dishwashing liquid
- Soft sponge
Directions:
Take the vinegar and the water and add them both to the glass pan. Make sure that the vinegar is diluted properly in the water before you add it to the pan.
Leave the solution to sit in the pan alone for an hour or two before draining it.
Now, you can add some dishwashing liquid to the pan and start to wash it. Use a soft sponge to clean out the stain.
The burnt food and food stains should come off very easily. If the burn is particularly bad, make sure to leave the vinegar solution to soak for 3 to 4 hours before you attempt to wash it.
If you have sensitive skin, make sure to wear latex, dishwashing gloves to protect your hands. Unless it is diluted, some forms of vinegar can be pretty harsh for your skin.
Using Baking Soda and Ammonia
Baking soda is a great stain remover and whether you use it for glass pans or some stained cloth, you can easily get rid of the toughest stains with ease.
This baking soda and ammonia washing technique is sure to give you clean and spotless glass pans in next to no time.
Things You Will Need:
- 4 to 5 teaspoons of baking soda
- Ammonia spray
- Dishwashing liquid
- A soft sponge or soft cloth
Directions:
Take the sponge or the soft cloth and moisten it with water. Now, sprinkle the baking powder, either on the cloth or directly on the pan where the burnt food is.
After this, take the sponge or the soft cloth and gently scrub the area until the burnt side has been removed.
Remove all traces of baking powder before taking the ammonia spray and spritzing ammonia on to the glass pan.
Use the sponge again to scrub the pan properly. Now, take some water and rinse the pan. Use regular dishwashing liquid to wash the pan.
Always make sure to do this. It helps to remove trace amounts of ammonia and any remnants of baking soda from the glass pan.
However, for stubborn stains, you may have to repeat the process all over again. While it is a slow process, the baking soda will get rid of any stains and discoloration.
Since it is naturally abrasive, it will also scrub the pan without requiring the need to use materials like steel wool.
Boiling Water in the Pan
Did you know that you could boil water in a glass pan to help it get rid of the burnt food and stains?
In theory, this option might seem very counterproductive but in actuality, it works like a charm.
This method can be used to get rid of even the toughest of stains from glass pans.
Things You Will Need:
- 1 cup of vinegar (any kind, white, apple cider or other variants)
- 4 cups of water
- Dishwashing liquid
- Soft sponge
Directions:
Fill the glass pan with the water and then add the vinegar to it. Mix it up properly and make sure that you have a solution that has the vinegar properly diluted in it.
Now, instead of letting the mixture sit, you should put the pan on the stove or in the oven.
Turn on the heat and let the water come to a boil for 5 minutes. After this, take the glass pan off the stove and allow it to cool or come to room temperature.
Never start cleaning the pan immediately because you will scald your hand with the boiling water.
Even if you drain the water, the pan will still be hot so you have to wait for it to cool. After it cools down, run it under tap water and use a sponge to get the burnt food off.
After this, just use some dishwashing liquid and a sponge to wash the pan clean.
Using an Oven Cleaner Overnight
For particularly stubborn stains, you might even have to use an overnight soak that can help to loosen up all the burnt bits of food.
This cleaning method is simple, easy to do, and guaranteed to remove the stains from your glass pan.
You can use it to remove stubborn stains. It also gives you a good excuse for when you do not feel like doing the dishes and need a reason to skip them.
Things You Will Need:
- Oven cleaner (Any kind that you use for cleaning stains on your oven)
- Dishwashing liquid
- Garbage bag
- Latex gloves
- Soft sponge
Directions:
First, all you need to do is add the oven cleaner into the pan. Make sure you properly coat the burnt areas of the pan with the oven cleaning solution.
After you have done this, take the garbage bag and place the glass pan inside it.
Close the garbage bag and set it aside. You have to leave it alone for at least 12 hours or you can leave it overnight.
After the time is up, or the next day, you should wear some latex gloves before you handle the bag containing the glass pan.
Make sure to open the bag in a well-ventilated area and keep your head away from the fumes that the pan might have collected.
Once the pan is out of the bag and has been aired appropriately, you can use some sponge to wipe off the cleaner.
After this, just rinse the pan in running water. Now add some dishwashing liquid and using a soft sponge, carefully wash the pan.
Pay close attention to any stubborn spots. Make sure that all the residue of the oven cleaner and the dishwashing solution are properly washed off.
Also read: How to Get Burnt Honey Off a Pan
Things to Keep in Mind When Cleaning Glass Pans and Dishes
When you are washing your glass pans, it is a good idea to be very careful.
Cleaning burnt food might seem easy but glass pans can require a gentle touch.
For this reason, always make sure to keep the following things in mind:
- Always wait for the pan to cool before you start to wash it – Washing a hot, burnt pan is asking for trouble. You can get some serious burns and injuries because of it.
- Never put the hot glass pan under running water – The difference in temperature can cause the glass dish to burst or shatter. Your dish will be irreparably damaged and you may even suffer some injuries.
- Don’t use rough sponges – These can be extremely abrasive and can cause minute scratches to form on the surface of the glass. If you don’t have a soft sponge, use the other side of a regular sponge.
- Never scrape the burnt food off – Scraping the burnt food off will cause damage to the surface of the glass pan. This can also contribute to ruining the usability of the glass pan.
With the help of these tips, you can easily learn how to clean a burnt glass pan without any worries.
Other articles you may like:
- How to Clean Burnt Grease from the Bottom of Frying Pans?
- How to Clean Cast-Iron Grill Pans
- Why Do Glass Pans Catch Fire and What You Can Do to Prevent It?
- Glass vs. Metal Baking Pans – Which One is Better?
- How to Clean a Ceramic Pan with Vinegar
- How to Clean Burnt Glass Pan?
- How to Get Burnt Sugar off a Cooking Pan?