Do you know how to clean the outside bottom of pots and pans? It’s not as difficult as you might think!
In this blog post, we will teach you how to clean the outside bottom of your pots and pans quickly and easily.
We will also discuss some tips and tricks that will help make the process a bit easier. So, if you’re ready to learn how to clean those pesky pots and pans, keep reading!
Step by Step on Cleaning Outside Bottom of Cookware
The first step is to gather your supplies. You will need:
- A sponge or scrub brush
- Dish soap
- Water
- A towel
- Vinegar or Baking soda
Once you have gathered your supplies, you are ready to begin!
Degrease the Surface
The first step is to degrease the surface. You can do this by using dish soap and water.
Apply the soap to the outside bottom of the pot or pan and scrub with a sponge or brush.
Rinse away the soap and any grease with clean water.
Repeat this process if necessary.
If you feel that the grease is too much for soap to break down, you can try to soak the bottom of the pan in the hot soapy water for an hour. This should make the task a lot easier for the soap to break down the stubborn grease and grimes.
After the hour, try scrubbing the pan again.
Apply Vinegar or Baking Soda
The next step is to apply vinegar or baking soda.
To use vinegar, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a bowl. Apply the mixture to the outside bottom of the pot or pan and let it sit for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, scrub the area with a sponge or brush. Rinse away the vinegar with clean water.
To use baking soda, mix equal parts of water and baking soda in a bowl. Apply the mixture to the outside bottom of the pot or pan and let it sit for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, scrub the area with a sponge or brush. Rinse away the baking soda with clean water.
Remove Stains
The next step is to remove any stains that may be present on the cookware after the two steps of cleanup. To do this, you will need to use a bit of elbow grease!
Apply dish soap to the stained area and scrub vigorously with a sponge or brush.
Rinse away the soap and any stains with clean water. Repeat this process if the stains are not fully cleaned.
Dry Cookware
Once you have finished cleaning, it is important to dry the cookware.
You can do this by using a towel or placing the cookware in a dish rack to air dry.
And that’s it! You have now learned how to clean the outside bottom of pots and pans.
What to Use for Cleaning Outside Bottom of Pots and Pans?
While it may seem that the above-explained process is enough for cleaning your pots and pans, it may not be the case.
In most cases, people end up having too much grease and baked-on grime on the bottom of their cookware which doesn’t go away with a regular wash.
So, here are the alternative cleaning solutions you can try in case the regular dish soap fails-
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that can be used for a variety of purposes.
It is also an effective degreaser, which makes it perfect for cleaning the outside bottom of pots and pans.
To use baking soda, mix equal parts of water and baking soda in a bowl. Apply the mixture to the outside bottom of the pot or pan and let it sit for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, scrub the area with a sponge or brush. Rinse away the baking soda with clean water.
Vinegar
Vinegar is another natural cleaning agent that can be used to clean the outside bottom of pots and pans.
To use vinegar, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a bowl. Apply the mixture to the outside bottom of the pot or pan and let it sit for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, scrub the area with a sponge or brush. Rinse away the vinegar with clean water.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is yet another natural cleaning agent that can be used to clean the outside bottom of pots and pans.
To use lemon juice, simply apply it to the affected area and scrub with a sponge or brush.
Rinse the area well with water afterward.
You can also add lemon juice to a spray bottle and use it as a natural cleaning solution for your pots and pans.
However, we don’t recommend storing lemon juice for cleaning purposes as they tend to lose their cleaning ability with time.
Soap Scum Remover
Soap scum removers are chemicals that are specifically designed to remove soap scum build-up.
They are usually available in gel or liquid form and can be found at most hardware stores.
To use a soap scum remover, simply apply it to the affected area and scrub with a sponge or brush.
Rinse the area well with water afterward.
Kosher Salt
Kosher salt can also be used to clean the outside bottom of pots and pans.
To use kosher salt, sprinkle it on the affected area and scrub with a sponge or brush.
Rinse away the salt with clean water.
You can also add kosher salt to a bowl of vinegar to make a potent cleaning solution.
These work like an abrasive solution and may affect the overall sheen of the cookware. So, use them with caution.
Scouring Pad
Scouring pads are abrasive pads that can be used to scrub away tough stains and build-up.
To use a scouring pad, simply apply it to the affected area and scrub vigorously.
Rinse away any residue with clean water afterward.
You shouldn’t use this method too often as it can damage the cookware. Only use it if every other thing fails and you are yet to make good progress towards a clean bottom.
Combination of Materials
If the stain is still not removed, you can try a combination of materials. For example, you can use a scouring pad with dish soap or vinegar.
You can also use baking soda with dish soap or vinegar.
Once you have found a method that works, be sure to rinse the cookware well afterward.
What Cookware Material is Best for Cleaning?
There are a few different types of materials that pots and pans can be made out of. Here we cover the materials that are easier to clean-
Stainless Steel
The most common type is stainless steel. Stainless steel is a very durable material that is also fairly easy to clean.
However, it is important to note that stainless steel can discolor over time if it is not properly cared for.
So, while they are easy to clean, they need proper care to keep their shine.
Cast Iron
Another popular type of cookware material is cast iron. Cast iron pots and pans are extremely durable and can last for many years if they are properly cared for.
However, cast iron can be difficult to clean, especially if it is not seasoned correctly.
So, you won’t want them to have baked-on grease or stubborn stains. Clean them after every use so that you don’t need to do rigorous cleaning jobs to restore their luster.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight metal that is often used in cookware. Aluminum pots and pans are easy to clean, but they can discolor easily.
Anodized aluminum is aluminum that has been treated to make it more durable and less likely to discolor.
They’re not prone to grease and grimes on the bottom but irresponsible use can do the unusual things. So, care is important for them as well.
Copper
Copper is a beautiful option for cookware, but it requires special care. Copper pots and pans should be washed by hand and dried immediately to prevent tarnishing.
They are also not dishwasher safe. If you do not want to hand wash your copper pots and pans, you can purchase a copper cleaning solution to make the job easier.
Ceramic
Ceramic cookware is made from clay that has been fired in a kiln. Ceramic pots and pans are non-stick and easy to clean. However, they can be fragile and may break if dropped.
So, while ceramic cookware is easy to clean, you need to be careful with it.
Conclusion
Cleaning the outside bottom of pots and pans can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be!
With the right tools and techniques, you can easily clean even the most stubborn stains.
So, next time your cookware is in need of a good cleaning, don’t hesitate to try one of the above-mentioned methods.
Which method do you think will work best for you? Let us know in the comments below! Happy cleaning!