This Pantry Staple Is the Very Surprising Secret To Making Burnt Pans Sparkle Again

Have you noticed a layer of burnt-on grease and gunk on the bottom of your kitchen pans? Maybe you’ve tried scrubbing it or giving it a long, soapy soak, but if nothing has helped improve the appearance of your formerly sparkling pan, there’s a cleaning agent you might have overlooked.

The same condiment that pairs perfectly with fries, burgers, and hotdogs (or a more unexpected sidekick to grilled cheese or an apple turnover) is also an unsung hero of kitchen cleanliness that can revive even the grimiest pots and pans. That’s right, we’re talking about ketchup. As a household cleaner.

Residue from oils, spilled sauces, sugary syrups, and other food can end up spilling down the sides of your pans, causing the underside to accumulate a seemingly impenetrable layer of dirt and grime. It's a natural part of a pan’s lifespan, but it doesn’t have to be a life sentence–thanks to ketchup.

How Does Ketchup Help Clean a Burnt Pan?

One of ketchup’s primary ingredients is vinegar. A main component of vinegar is acetic acid, which can break down the structure of some dirt, oils, films, stains, and bacteria, according to NSF.org. When applied to the bottom of pots and pans that have seen better days, the acid in the ketchup attacks and helps loosen the layer of greasy grime that forms on the bottom of the pan, rendering the pan shiny and mess-free. Plus, it's thick consistency allows the ketchup to completely coat the pan and stay in place during the soaking period unlike if you tried to use vinegar on its own, for example.

How to Clean a Burnt Pan with Ketchup

The process of cleaning a burnt-on mess from the bottom of a pan with ketchup can work with all stages of dirt and grunge. Because the aroma of a large amount of ketchup might be a bit overpowering, it’s a good idea to open your windows or take the pan and condiment outside to a patio table for your cleaning session.

1. Place a layer of newspaper on a flat surface and turn the pan over to access the underside. Use a spoon or rubber spatula to slather an even layer of ketchup onto the bottom surface.
2. Let the pan sit with the ketchup and reapply where needed if the ketchup drips down the sides. Allow the ketchup to sit and work on the grime for approximately 30 minutes.
3. After 30 minutes, wipe a small area with a paper towel and see if the dirty surface has thinned out. If it looks like the burnt-on part of the pan needs more time for the acid in the ketchup to break down the gunk, you can let the ketchup sit for another 20 minutes or so.
4. When you're ready to remove the ketchup, work with a metal spatula to scrape off the grime to reveal a clean surface underneath. You can also ball up some aluminum foil and work in a circular motion.
5. Give the pan a rinse with warm, soapy water in the sink and dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. All done!
   

Does Cleaning a Burnt Pan With Ketchup Work?

I tried this kitchen hack on a pan I thought was beyond help and while it's not perfect (see image above for the before and after), it did a good enough job to save my pan from the trash can. So much so that I actually decided to use the method on a few others and will definitely use thi