Cleaning gummy spots off non-stick skillets?

[stefzehn]

Hello all,

I work for this lovely older lady who is completely enamored with her Caphalon teflon non-stick skillets. She's incredibly particular about them, doesn't stack them inside each other so they don't get scratched, and doesn't even like to use a scrubby side of a kitchen sponge to clean them.

About a week ago she accidentally left the burners on with oil and food in the skillets. Now there's a gummy residue in the pans - I'm guessing it's burned grease or something - and we can't figure out how to get the skillets clean again.

I'm more of a cast-iron girl myself and don't have a clue as to spiffy the teflon skillets back up. Any ideas?

[I used to know how to cook...]

Hi stefzehn,

Well, if it were me, I'd start with Dawn dishwashing liquid on a scrub sponge on a warm pan.

If that didn't do the job, I would then use a well-dampened Brillo soap pad.

Yes, I know... She'll be afraid of hurting her pans but if she does nothing the pans will still have the burned on grease.

However, I have Calphalon non-stick skillets and it hasn't harmed them.

Lucy

[kaleokahu]

If the pan was really burnt dry with food, she probably exceeded the (alleged) 660F limit. If you and she value your health, I'd toss the pan.

[stefzehn]

I wasn't there when it happened, so I'm not positive... However, the food wasn't really burnt onto the pan, it looks like it's more gummy grease residue than anything, you know?

[kaleokahu]

Hi, stepgzehn:

Lucy is very wise. I like Dawn (and boiling water) for Plan A.

Plan B: I say liberal amounts of Goo-Gone.

Plan C: Have the pan walnut-shell blasted at a local car mechanic's and strip off the PTFE

Kaleo

[I used to know how to cook...]

Hi again...

The important part of Kaleo's post is suggesting boiling water. When the pan is hot the burned on grease will be easier to remove.

Personally I often clean the pan immediately (depending on what I've just cooked) while it is still hot from the cooking.

Lucy

[petek]

Potato peel trick... hello :D

[I used to know how to cook...]

Hi Petek,

Aha!!

Of course... :)

Edited to add: DUHHHHH.....

Lucy

[petek]

No,but seriously. When I first tried seasoning my new carbon steel pan,I accidentally started a fire in the pan(yes I'm an idiot) and had to use half a box of kosher salt to douse the fire.needless to say it left a sticky caramelized gunk on the pan so I remembered the "potato peel trick" from the deBuyer website and I tell you what,it worked like a champ.10 mins, mess all gone.

[I used to know how to cook...]

And, and, and, not only did you get your pan all sparkly-shiny clean, you can make latkes for dinner!

:)

Lucy

[petek]

Doh!! Now you tell me.. :D

[petek]

Not sure if this will work on non stick Teflon pans,but I've used potato peels to clean/de grease my carbon steel pans. You cover the potato peels with water,bring to a boil for 10-15 mins.Easy peasy.

Works like a charm on carbon steel,can't see why it wouldn't work on non stick.