Aaack! He Put Macaroni In My Pan. Now What?

[SGWhiskers]

Hubby absent mindedly put macaroni in my non-stick pan. It was in the pan for about 30 seconds unheated. When I went gluten free 3 years ago, I scrubbed these pans to death. They were unscratched, expensive, and almost new. All was well. Now this particular pan has burnt rice permanently adhered to the bottom. I'd consider myself a super sensitive celiac.

Must I really throw this pan out? What if I can chisel the burnt rice off the bottom? What would you do?

[Marilyn R]

Over and above whacking him in the head with the pan?

If it's burnt macaroni, I'd soak the pan (if still unscratched/unscathed in hot water, and if you have them, one of those fabric softener sheets for the drier over night.

Tomorrow, use a microfiber cloth with hot soap and water to wash it out, rinse well in hot water, and drip dry, then inspect. That pan may be worth saving.

[SGWhiskers]

The rice that was burnt on has been there for months. We got most of it off months ago, but there are still some black dots burned to the bottom. I've been chiseling it off with alcohol and my fingernail for the past 1/2 hour and it is slowly coming off. The macaroni was never cooked in this pan and was only in the pot for 30 seconds or so. I caught him as he did it. (We have a mostly gluten free house and he is used to not having to think).

Fabric softener sheet? Is that a trick for loosening burnt on food?

[Marilyn R]

The rice that was burnt on has been there for months. We got most of it off months ago, but there are still some black dots burned to the bottom. I've been chiseling it off with alcohol and my fingernail for the past 1/2 hour and it is slowly coming off. The macaroni was never cooked in this pan and was only in the pot for 30 seconds or so. I caught him as he did it. (We have a mostly gluten free house and he is used to not having to think).

Fabric softener sheet? Is that a trick for loosening burnt on food?

Yes, when soaked in hot water overnight. I think that's one of Heloise's hints. Not sure I'd want to use that pan again if scratched and soaked in whatever they put in fabric softener sheets, btw. Good luck with your pan and your man.

[kareng]

OFF WITH HIS HEAD!

You might just be scratching the nasty Teflon off if you scrub too much. Just buy cheap Teflon if you like Teflon. Or buy a good pan you can soak in vinegar and scrub.

[Skylark]

A teflon pan with burnt rice stuck to the bottom? I'd consider replacing it. Something is wrong with the coating if things are sticking to it like that and I don't see how you could get the rice and now gluten off without damaging the coating.

[color-me-confused]

Teflon pan? Toss it. Go for cast iron or carbon steel if you want nonstick - if need be the seasoning and re-applied can be burnt off if they get glutened.

[Jenniferxgfx]

I vote cast iron replacement. If that happens again you can preseason the pan and never throw one out again.

[Jenniferxgfx]

Reseason!

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Btw: those burnt rice bits are porous and will hold gluten