Since most ceramic pans have a non-stick surface, they are quite popular in many households. Ceramic cookware makes it easier for you to prepare various meals. However, a ceramic pan can become discoloured while cooking food at high temperatures.
Although cleaning it may seem difficult, it is a simple process that can be done quickly, especially if you have the proper tools and equipment. This post will show you how to clean a ceramic frying pan. Let’s dive right into it.
How to Clean a Ceramic Frying Pan: A Step-By-Step Guide
Tools Required to Clean a Ceramic Pan
Here are some of the tools and equipment that you are going to need while deep cleaning your ceramic cookware:
- Sponge – A sponge or a soft cloth makes it easier for you to tackle nasty stains.
- Dishwasher detergents – Most detergents are manufactured from chemicals that can break down stains easily. Dish soap can also help you clean the ceramic coating on your pan.
- Hydrogen peroxide – This solution contains bleaching properties, making it easier for you to get rid of stains.
- Dry baking soda – Vinegar and baking soda can help you clean ceramic-coated cookware with burnt food.
Method 1: Cleaning Ceramic Pan With Normal Stains and Food Residue
Step 1: Let the Hot Ceramic Pan Cool Off
If you plan to clean your ceramic pan immediately after using it, you should let it cool off first. Then, let it sit in hot water for 30 minutes before beginning the cleaning process.
Step 2: Fill Up Your Sink With Water
Open your tap and let the warm water flow into your sink. Block the drain to prevent the water from draining out of the sink. Pour some detergent into the sink, depending on how much water you will use to clean the pan.
Dip the pan in warm water, and let it sit for around 20-30 minutes. This procedure is very helpful as it loosens up some of the food particles that might have been stuck on the pan, making it easier for you to clean it. After 30 minutes, check whether the food has broken down or not.
If the warm water solution doesn’t break down the chunks of food, you have to use something powerful to get effective results.
Step 3: Clean the Pan
Once you soak the pan in hot water, you should clean it with a cloth or a sponge. Make sure to avoid using abrasive tools like nylon or steel wires.
Place a soft sponge on the ceramic coating, then wipe it gently as you apply some light pressure. Wipe every part of the ceramic pan to get effective results. ;
Step 4: Rinse the Pan With Some Clean Water
Drain the soapy water from your sink. Afterwards, open your tap and rinse the ceramic pan with clean cold water or warm water, based on your personal preferences. Finally, use a soft towel to dry off your pan completely. Alternatively, you can put it in a rack and then leave it there to dry.
Method 2: Cleaning Ceramic Pans With Charred Food/Burnt Food
While soaking a burnt ceramic pan in warm water breaks down chunks of food, soaking burnt ceramic pans might not be effective in getting rid of charred food that might be stuck on the pan. To get rid of charred food, follow these steps:
Step 1: Let the Burnt Ceramic Pan Cool Off
If you are cooking some food with a ceramic pan, you have to give it enough time to cool off. Let it sit for around 20-30 minutes, giving it enough time to cool off.
Step 2: Pour Baking Soda
Pour some baking soda into the burnt ceramic pan, concentrating on the parts that have charred food. Next, open your tap, and fill the pan with warm water.
Step 3: Boil the Solution
Place the burnt ceramic pan on your stovetop. Turn on the stove, then give the water enough time to boil. The whole process will take about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Let It Cool
To minimize the risk of any injuries, let the solution cool off for about 20 minutes.
Step 5: Clean the Ceramic Pan With Baking Soda
Place a sponge on the ceramic pan, then move it in circular motions while applying some light pressure to get rid of the food that might have been stuck on the pan. Add some cleaning detergent to the water, then clean it thoroughly. Then, pour the water and check whether the pan is completely clean or not.
Step 6: Rinse the Pan
If your pan is completely clean, rinse it off with some clean, warm water or cold water. Finally, dry it using paper towels. Once you finish rinsing your ceramic pan, dry it using paper towels. You can also put it in a rack, giving it enough time to dry off.
Method 3: Cleaning Stubborn Stains With Vinegar
While it’s quite easy to clean ceramic cookware, you may have to use different cleaning solutions to remove some stains on your pan. Such stains shouldn’t always affect the performance of the ceramic pan but can surely make your pan look dirty.
Step 1: Let the Pan Cool Off
Let the pan cool off for a certain period—20 minutes to 30 minutes would be enough time to let it cool.
Step 2: Fill the Pan With Water
Open your tap, and fill the pan with water to the halfway mark.
Step 3: Add Some Vinegar
Afterwards, pour white vinegar into the pan, depending on the amount of water you have used in a 1:4 ratio.
Leave the solution in the pan for about 12 to 14 hours, giving it enough time to work on the stains on your pan.
But suppose you plan to get rid of the stains as quickly. You can put the vinegar solution in your cooker and boil it for around 20 minutes.
Step 4: Let the Solution Cool
Let the vinegar solution sit for around 20 minutes, giving it enough time to cool off.
Step 5: Clean Your Pan
Once it cools off, clean the ceramic coating with a damp sponge or a soft cloth, concentrating on the stained parts. Apply some pressure on the stained parts to get rid of the stains on your ceramic pan. Note that abrasive cleaners are not ideal for ceramic-coated cookware, for they may damage ceramic frying pans.
Lastly, rinse your pan with clean, warm water or cold water to clear the vinegar solution from the pan.
Method 4: Cleaning Ceramic Cookware With Hydrogen Peroxide
If the stains can’t be cleaned with vinegar, you should consider using hydrogen peroxide. Since hydrogen peroxide has some bleaching properties, it can help you eliminate some of the nastiest stains on your pan or other cookware.
Step 1: Pour Some Hydrogen Peroxide Into the Ceramic Pan
Start by pouring hydrogen peroxide into the ceramic pan, concentrating on the heavily stained parts. The hydrogen peroxide solution should contact various parts of your ceramic pan to get effective results.
Once you pour the hydrogen peroxide solution into your ceramic pan, it will start bubbling as it produces a subtle sound.
Step 2: Leave the Solution for 20-30 Minutes
Then, leave the hydrogen peroxide solution on the pan for about 20 minutes, giving enough time to break down the stains.
Step 3: Rinse Your Ceramic Pan
Finally, rinse your ceramic pan with clean cold water or warm water—either will do.
How to Maintain Ceramic Cookware
Cook With Oil or Butter
You should always pour some vegetable oil into the pan before frying anything. Various types of cooking oil are quite effective in stopping food from sticking to ceramic surfaces. However, while oil can save your ceramic pan from charred food, non-stick cooking sprays can leave residues on ceramic pans.
Since extra virgin oil is ineffective in handling high-temperature heat, it can form a carbonized layer on ceramic pans. Therefore, avoid using extra virgin olive oil on your ceramic cookware if possible.
Use Low Heat Setting or Medium Heat Setting While Cooking
The high heat setting burns food and makes it stick to the ceramic surface of your pans. You should always use a low heat setting to get effective results while cooking with ceramic cookware. For instance, you can use the low heat setting while heating up cooking oil, then change it to a medium heat setting when frying various ingredients.
Do Not Use Abrasive Cookware or Metal Utensils on the Pan
Just like non-stick surfaces, ceramic coatings are not compatible with various types of cookware. Examples of such utensils include metallic turners, spoons, and knives. Such cookware can damage the cooking surface, interfering with the pan’s performance.
It would be best only to use wooden, nylon, or plastic cooking utensils while handling food on a ceramic pan surface. Also, avoid using steel wool or other abrasive cleaners to clean your ceramic cookware.
Store Clean Ceramic Cookware in a Safe, Dry Place
To protect your ceramic pan from various defects, you should store it safely. Do not place other utensils on top of the pan. In addition, you should not place clean ceramic pans on top of other utensils or cookware, too, since such kitchenware can scratch various parts of the non-stick coating. This will interfere with the ceramic cookware’s performance.
Hence, keep your ceramic pans away from other utensils that might damage them. Storing ceramic pans should be done in the right manner.
Cleaning a Ceramic Frying Pan’s Never Been This Easy!
With the four methods we provided above, we are fully confident that you already know by now how to clean a ceramic frying pan.
It’s noteworthy to remember that using cleaning solutions like vinegar and baking soda can help you clean even the toughest stains on the ceramic surface of your pan, restoring it to its initial condition.
Although you can clean many ceramic pans with various cleaning agents, always remember to avoid applying steel wool or any other abrasive cleaners, in general, to save your ceramic non-stick cooking surface from scratches. Moreover, make sure you don’t clean hot pans. Allow them to cool off first!
Do you have any other tips on how to clean your ceramic-coated cookware? Please share them with us below!
