How to Clean Ceramic Pans? [5 Different Ways]

Ceramic pan about to be cleaned

Ceramic pans are very popular in household kitchens as a safe but functional alternative to Teflon pans. They are naturally non-stick and easy to clean.

Nonetheless, regular maintenance and proper cleaning are necessary to prolong their lifespan. 

Here are some of the best ways to clean ceramic pans.

Different Ways to Clean Ceramic Pans

Despite the name, not all ceramic pans are entirely made of ceramic.

They usually have a metal base with a coating of sol-gel that makes them non-stick.

The sol-gel coating deteriorates over time and with rough use. So you should be careful while using ceramic pans to retain their coating for longer.

Nonetheless, ceramic pans are easy to clean.

Here are some of the best ways to clean ceramic pans.

1. Use Hot Soapy Water

The simplest way to clean ceramic pans is by using hot soapy water. It gets rid of all the grime and food residue stuck to the surface.

An additional advantage is that it doesn’t involve much scrubbing or force.

For this cleaning method, fill the pan with warm water and squirt dish soap into the water. Allow the pan to soak for a few minutes.

Then, wash it under running water to get rid of oil and food. You can use a sponge or soft cloth to dislodge any sticky food residue.

Finally, wipe away the water and dry it thoroughly before putting it in storage.

2. Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is widely used for cleaning because it’s natural and safe. It’s also powerful enough to remove tough stains and food residue.

To use baking soda for cleaning, make a paste of the powder with water. It shouldn’t be too runny.

Then, spread the paste over the surface of the ceramic pan. Let it sit for a few minutes.

This will help the baking soda release anything stuck to the pan’s surface.

After this, gently use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the pan. Rinse it with running water and dry the pan.

For stubborn stains or very greasy pans, you can repeat the process.

3. Use Vinegar

Vinegar is another effective household cleaning agent that deodorizes and removes stains.

You should dilute vinegar before cleaning with it.

Mix vinegar with an equal quantity of water in a spray bottle and shake till it mixes.

Spray the mixture generously on the surface of the ceramic pan. Let it rest for a few minutes.

You can then wash the pan under running water to remove stains and grime. Use a sponge or scrubbing cloth if necessary.

We recommend cleaning ceramic pans with vinegar at regular intervals to get rid of residual odors.

4. Use a Non-Abrasive Cleaning Solution

Hot soapy water gets rid of most food residue from ceramic pans.

Baking soda and vinegar also do a good job, but they do not always eliminate tough stains.

We don’t recommend scrubbing the pan surface using abrasive cleaners because it makes the sol-gel surface deteriorate.

However, you can use non-abrasive cleaning solutions for this purpose. These are gentle but effective in getting rid of tough grime and stains.

When using such solutions, choose a product designed for ceramic cookware. This will be mentioned on the label.

Follow the instructions on the packaging for cleaning.

5. Avoid Harsh Chemicals and Scouring Agents

Ceramic pans are not as delicate as non-stick pans. They can handle a certain level of rough use.

However, their non-stick property doesn’t hold up forever. Continued use will make it deteriorate, and it can give way over time.

To extend the lifespan of ceramic pans, avoid using harsh chemicals and scouring pads for cleaning.

You can soak the pan for a while to dislodge any grease or food residue from the surface.

It can take more time to clean with gentle cleaners, but it’s safer than using harsh chemicals and scouring pads that can scratch the surface.

Common Challenges of Cleaning Ceramic Pans

Ceramic pan on a table

Ceramic pans are relatively low maintenance. However, it’s essential to clean them regularly.

Delaying the cleaning process or not doing it properly can reduce the lifespan of the pan.

So let’s look at the common challenges of cleaning ceramic pans.

1. Stubborn and Sticky Food Residue

Though ceramic pans are non-stick, there may be instances where they end up with stubborn food residue and stains.

In such instances, you may be tempted to use an abrasive cleaner or scouring pad. But it’s not advisable.

Rough handling of the surface can cause long-term damage.

To tackle it, fill the pan with hot soapy water and add some dish soap. Let it soak and then clean it as usual.

2. Discoloration

If you use a ceramic pan on high heat for a long time, the surface ends up with discolorations.

This problem becomes more pronounced when the pan surface is light in color or white.

To prevent discoloration, avoid using high heat and cook at a lower temperature.

If your pan is already discolored, soak it in a mix of vinegar and water for several minutes. This solution should get rid of strong stains.

3. Scratches

Ceramic pans are tougher than non-stick cookware. Nevertheless, they can develop scratches if you don’t handle them properly.

Once a scratch appears, it’s impossible to eliminate.

To avoid scratching the surface, use wooden or silicone utensils and spatulas for stirring the ingredients in these pans.

Also, ensure that you don’t scratch the surface. Allow any residual food to soak in water and soap before gently dislodging it.

This will prevent scratches and help the pan retain its original look.

4. Stains

Certain ingredients like tomato sauce and beets can stain the surface of a ceramic pan.

If you don’t clean the pan immediately, these stains set and make the pan look ugly.

To avoid stains, the main thing to do is to transfer the cooked ingredient out of the pan as soon as it’s done.

Also, clean the pan immediately after cooking. It will prevent the color of the food from settling.

You can soak the pan in vinegar and water for a few hours before scrubbing it with a non-abrasive scourer.

5. Careful Storage

Ceramic pans last a lot longer if you pay attention to their storage. Avoid stacking them or mixing them with other utensils.

Placing the pans between or below other pans and cookware can cause scratches on their surface.

To avoid this, use pan protectors between the pans. This will protect the delicate surface from getting scratched.

If space isn’t a constraint, you can also consider storing them flat in a single layer. Alternatively, you can also hang them up.

Further Reading: How to Make Ceramic Pans Non-Stick Again?

6. Avoid Putting Them in The Dishwasher

Ceramic pans without hand-painted designs or special embellishments are generally dishwasher-safe.

However, we don’t recommend washing these pans in a dishwasher.

Dishwashers generally use strong detergents that can make the ceramic surface deteriorate faster.

Banging against other vessels in the dishwasher can also damage these pans.

Exposure to hot cleaning cycles will cause the sol-gel non-stick surface coating to deteriorate quickly.

Hence, to prevent damage and prolong the lifespan of ceramic cookware, we recommend handwashing them.

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