How to Clean the Underside of Pots and Pans Until They Look New
The burnt, greasy buildup underneath cookware can be stubborn, but you can usually tackle it with a few household basics.
For stainless-steel or uncoated metal bottoms
Remove loose grime with hot water and dish soap.
Make a paste using baking soda + a small amount of dish soap.
Spread the paste over the stained underside and leave it for 10–15 minutes.
Scrub with a non-scratch scrub pad or nylon brush.
Rinse thoroughly and dry.
Repeat if necessary rather than using increasingly aggressive scrubbing.
For really stubborn baked-on grease
Sprinkle baking soda over the area, add a little dish soap, then use a damp scrub pad to work the paste into the residue. Letting it sit before scrubbing usually works better than applying lots of force.
⚠️ Check the cookware first
Nonstick coatings: Don’t use abrasive powders or harsh scrubbers on the cooking surface or any coated exterior.
Cast iron: Avoid prolonged soaking; dry immediately and maintain the seasoning.
Copper or aluminum: Baking soda and aggressive scrubbing can alter the finish. A cleaner specifically intended for that metal is safer.
Don’t mix household cleaners, particularly bleach with acids such as vinegar.
For everyday maintenance, wiping the underside after cooking—before grease becomes baked on—makes the next cleanup dramatically easier.
