The enamel pan that you bought ages ago has been through so much with you. The only difference is that when you first bought it – it was shiny and spotless.
Cookware tends to wear out as time passes since it is washed every day. Plus, your enamel pans are very likely to be covered with grease and burnt food, which also makes them look old and dirty.
You may think that there is no way to make your enamel pans look shiny again, but we know a few ways. These ways are not only easy but also save time. Here are a few ways you can clean your enamel pans to make them look new again.
How do You prevent Your Enameled Cookware from Getting Scratches?
Enamel is a glass-like coating that is usually found on cast iron pots. This means that if it is struck with something or has too much weight, it will crack. Enamel pans can also get scratches if you use hard cutlery on them.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use utensils on your enameled cookware. Just make sure to be gentle with the pan and don’t put too much pressure on the enamel coating. Even if your enamel pans have chipped slightly, the good thing is that they’re safe to cook in, so you can still use them.
Very high temperatures are bad for the enamel coating and cause chipping. Hence, if you want to make sure your enamel pan doesn’t get scratched, don’t keep it in the oven for too long.
Try to not heat an empty enamel pot – make sure there is water inside. Even when you’re washing enamel cookware, a good tip is to always fill the pan with liquid so the coating doesn’t chip.
How do You Remove Scratches from Your Enameled Cookware Pan?
Over the years, your enameled pans may become discolored or even have scratches. You can remove these scratches by using a stain removal solution with 3 pints of water and 1 teaspoon of bleach.
Let the pot soak for a while and then wash it thoroughly before leaving it to dry. The pot will be much cleaner and all the scratches will be gone. If there are a few stains and scratches left, simply leave the pot to soak overnight and it will be clean and shiny in the morning.
Try using pans that are prone to staining, but remember that every pot gets discolored over time. A good idea is to clean them every once in a while because if they get too discolored, it will be hard to monitor browning.
Different Ways to Clean Enamel Pans
Below are some effective ways to clean your enamel cooking pans:
Salt and Dish Soap
A quick and easy way to clean your enamel pots is by using salt and dish soap. If your cookware has seasoned and you don’t want to damage it, salt and dish soap is a great solution. Here are the items you need to use to clean your enamel pans:
- Salt
- Small container
- Paper towel or cloth
- Dish soap
The first step is to mix the salt and dish soap in a separate container. Make sure to stir them until both of the contents turn into one single paste. After the paste is ready, simply apply it to a dry cloth and use it to clean the surface of your enamel pan. Try not to scrub too hard because scrubbing hard can damage the seasoning.
If you feel like your pan is still not clean, just add more salt and scrub lightly until the stains disappear. The best part about using salt and dish soap is that both of the items are easily available, which makes this method easy and affordable.
Lemon and Water
Lemon is a great item to use on your enamel pans because not only will it make them shiny – but it will also make them smell good. The best part about using lemons is that they can be used with water, vinegar and also baking soda.
Lemon juice is a great way to remove stains from your enamel pans no matter how greasy or discolored they are.
Start with cutting a couple of lemons into small pieces. Add some water that covers the surface of your enamel pan and boil it. Make sure your pan isn’t completely empty when you boil it or that may damage the coating and the sides.
After the water boils, wait for it to cool down and then use the lemons to scrub the grease and grime away. Scrubbing with cut up lemons can remove the biggest stains and the grease from your pot. This method is quite effective and will make your enamel pans look brand new.
Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are definitely not as common as using salt, lemon, and water on your pots, but it’s just as effective. Here are a few items that you will need to clean your pans with dryer sheets:
- Dryer sheets
- Dish soap
- Brush
- Hot water
The first step is to add some dish soap to your enamel pot. Afterward, add hot water on all the areas that are burnt or are covered with dirt and grime. Then, add the dryer sheet. Try to completely submerge the dryer sheet in hot water, so it covers all bases. After adding the dryer sheet, just leave the pan to sit for a couple of hours.
The last step is to simply remove the dryer sheet from your enamel pan—all the grease will peel away with the dryer sheet. The dryer sheet method may take some time, but it’s very easy. If you hate standing in the kitchen and scrubbing, this method is for you as it requires no scrubbing.
Bleach-Free Cleansers
Another great option is bleach-free cleansers. These cleansers contain all the things your pot needs to look shiny and clean again. These cleansers can easily remove dirt, grime, dust, and rust from your pans.
Start with mixing the bleach-free cleanser with water to make a paste. After you’re done, make sure to use it to scrub your pan with a soft cloth. Once again, keep in mind that you’re scrubbing a pan with an enamel coating, so try to be gentle.
The final step is to simply rinse your pot and wipe it with a dry cloth. Make sure the paste is not stuck to any part of your enamel pot before keeping it in the cabinet.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most common ways to clean your enamel pots.
Baking soda is a great tool to get rid of spots, stains and even scratches from a pan. Even if you use baking soda on your pots very often, it won’t damage the enamel coating or the material of the pan. Baking soda is known to clean the dirtiest pots without too much scrubbing.
To clean your enamel pots with baking soda, you’ll need these items:
- Baking soda
- Dry cloth
- Lemon
- Vinegar
- Wooden spoon
- Non-stick scrubbing brush
Enameled pans have a non-stick surface that can easily get crusty. But, the good thing is that you don’t have to do much to clean it. Simply boil water and add baking soda to it.
Add water to your enameled pan and make certain to cover all the burnt and discolored areas. Increase the temperature of the water and the pan until the pan is hot.
After the water is at a boiling temperature, add two tablespoons of baking soda and stir it with a spoon. Makes sure that you use a long plastic spoon because a metal spoon can burn your hand easily. After a while, your baking soda and the boiling water will turn into a mixture.
After the mixture has simmered, just scrape all the crusty and burnt areas of your pan and the grease will come out. All you have to do is use a dry cloth to clean the surface of your pan.
The final step is to wipe the pan, rinse it with warm water and leave it out to dry. This effective way is guaranteed to clean your enameled pan and make it shiny again.
Cleaning Other Pans with Baking Soda
The three best things about baking soda are that it is easily available, cheap and is a universal cleaner. This is why it can be used to clean other pots besides enamel cast iron pots, too.
Even though baking soda is a universal tool to clean all types of cookware, you need to use different methods to clean different types of pots and pans. Here are a few other pots baking soda can clean to make sure they look shiny and new again.
Copper Cookware Pans
To clean a copper pan, all you need is some baking soda, vinegar, and a lemon. The first step would be covering the bottom of your copper pan with baking soda. Make sure to cover the whole surface to achieve maximum results.
After you’re done, pour vinegar all over the bottom of your pot before using a lemon as a scrub. Use a cut-up lemon to scrub the bottom of your pan so it becomes clean and shiny. Make sure you cover the entire pot. The last step is to simply rinse the pan and then wipe it with a dry cloth.
Non-Stick Cookware Pans
Non-stick cookware is easy to clean, which means all you need is some water and baking soda. Baking soda will eliminate all the smells and will make your pot shiny and clean again. First, make a paste by filling the pan with water and adding baking soda to it. Don’t add too much water or the baking soda will be diluted and become less effective.
The best part is that you don’t have to do much – just let the pan sit for a few hours. This will give the baking soda time to react. After a few hours, scrub your non-stick pan with a brush, which will remove all the grease and stains from your pans. After scrubbing, rinse your pan and wipe it with a dry cloth.
Roasting Cookware Pans
Besides non-stick, enamel and copper pans, baking soda can also be used to clean cookware like roasting pans and even cookie sheets. To clean a roasting pan, you need baking soda, water, and some vinegar.
Start simple – the first step is to cover the whole surface of your pan with baking soda. After you’re done, just take a cup of water and add it to 1/3 cup of vinegar.
The next step is to pour the solution into a roasting pan. The baking soda and vinegar will react to each other by fizzing. After that, just leave the pan to soak for a few hours. Later, scrape the surface of your roasting cookware pan with a spoon or a spatula. The final step is to simply wash the pan thoroughly and dry it with a soft cloth.
Conclusion
Cookware can have sentimental value, which is why we understand your need to preserve it. If you want your cookware to last for a long time, make sure to clean it properly and regularly.
This will reduce the chances of dirt, grime, stains, grease, and discoloration. It is also important to keep in mind that every cookware needs special care and attention, so try to use the preferred methods for said cookware.
Try the easy and effective methods mentioned above today and see the difference yourself!
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