Pots and pans can easily build up tough, baked-on messes that are difficult to remove. Having the right cleaning products is essential for getting them looking like new again. There are many commercial cleaners on the market that claim to be effective for cleaning pots and pans. But with so many options, how do you know which one is actually the best?
In this article, we’ll examine the most popular pot and pan cleaners to help determine which is the most effective. We’ll look at factors like abrasiveness, ease of use, environmental safety, and cost. With the right information, you can choose the best cleaner for your needs and keep your cookware looking shiny and clean.
Page Contents
Types of Pot and Pan Cleaners
There are several main types of cleaners designed specifically for pots and pans:
Liquid cleaners
Liquid cleaners come in spray bottles or containers for applying directly to dirty cookware. They are often formulated with surfactants to help lift grease and emulsify soils. Popular brands of liquid pot and pan cleaners include Bon Ami Liquid Cleaner, Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser, Dawn Power Dissolver Spray, and Zep Commercial Purple Pot & Pan Cleaner.
Powder cleaners
Powder cleaners usually contain abrasive ingredients and come in cans or shakers for sprinkling on surfaces. They help scrub away stuck-on foods through gentle abrasion. Common powder cleaners are Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser, Bon Ami Powder Cleanser, Comet, and Ajax.
Gel cleaners
Gel cleaners have a thicker formula that clings to surfaces longer before rinsing. They allow the active cleaning agents more time to work. Two top gel cleaners are Zep Commercial Acidic Gel Cleaner and Cerama Bryte Cookware Cleaning Gel.
Paste cleaners
Paste cleaners have an ultra-thick formula for heavy-duty cleaning challenges. They are often used for burned-on grease and discoloration. Popular paste cleaners include Sheila Shine and Polish, Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish, Brasso, and Cameo Aluminum & Stainless Steel Cleaner.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can be sprinkled on pots and pans and scrubbed with a sponge or cloth. It helps remove cooked-on foods. For tougher stains, it can be made into a paste with water.
Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar can be used alone or combined with baking soda to clean pans. Its acidic formula helps dissolve mineral deposits and break down grease. It offers a more natural cleaning option compared to chemical cleaners.
Abrasiveness
One of the key factors to consider when choosing a pot and pan cleaner is abrasiveness. Cleaners that are too abrasive can actually damage the surface of pots and pans over time, causing them to lose their shine and smooth texture. This can negatively impact cooking performance.
On the other hand, cleaners that are not abrasive enough will not effectively remove tough, baked-on messes. Finding the right balance of abrasion strength is important. Here is an overview of the relative abrasiveness of common cleaners:
| Cleaner | Abrasiveness |
|---|---|
| Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser | Mildly abrasive |
| Bon Ami Powder | Mildly abrasive |
| Zep Commercial Purple Pot & Pan Cleaner | Mildly abrasive |
| Comet | Moderately abrasive |
| Ajax | Moderately abrasive |
| Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish | Moderately abrasive |
| Bon Ami Liquid | Least abrasive |
| Dawn Power Dissolver Spray | Least abrasive |
As you can see, powder and paste cleaners tend to be more abrasive than liquid cleaners. Baking soda and vinegar are on the gentle end of the abrasion scale.
Effectiveness
Closely tied to abrasiveness is a cleaner’s overall effectiveness at removing different types of stains and build-up. Here is how some of the top pot and pan cleaners stack up for cleaning performance:
Burnt-on food
Bar Keepers Friend and Bon Ami work well for removing stubborn burnt-on food. Pastes like Sheila Shine are also extremely effective. Baking soda can help lift carbonized food residue when scrubbed.
Grease and oil
Degreasing detergents in Dawn Power Dissolver and other liquid cleaners easily break down greasy build-up. Bar Keepers Friend and Zep Commercial Purple are also highly effective grease cutters.
Discoloration
Pastes with oxalic or glycolic acid such as Bar Keepers Friend and Cameo work well to brighten discolored pans. Vinegar can also help remove some mineral staining. Longer soaking times boost results.
Hard water spots
Mineral deposits dissolve quickly with vinegar or acidic gel and liquid cleaners. Bon Ami also works well since it doesn’t contain soap residues that can react with hard water minerals.
Ease of Use
While all pot and pan cleaners are designed to make the job easier, some are simpler to use than others. Here are some factors that impact the ease of use:
Application method
Liquid cleaners in spray bottles are very easy to apply directly to pans. Powders and pastes require a little more work to sprinkle or spread around manually.
Scrubbing required
Some cleaners like baking soda require more scrubbing from you to lift off soils. Meanwhile, Dawn Power Dissolver lets the product do most of the work.
Rinsing difficulty
Cleaners with a thick paste consistency can take a little extra effort to thoroughly rinse off cookware. Vinegar and liquid cleaners wash off easily.
Cleanup
Liquid cleaners and vinegar wipe away cleanly with no gritty powder residue leftover. Paste and powder cleaners generally require more rinsing of the sink area after cleaning.
Environmental Considerations
Many people have concerns over the safety and sustainability of cleaning products. Here is how pot and pan cleaners compare regarding environmental factors:
Fumes
Some liquid and powder cleaners contain bleach, ammonia, or strong acids that can create fumes during use. Baking soda, vinegar, and Bon Ami have very mild, inoffensive odors.
Skin irritation
Powders and pastes with harsh scrubbing grains can irritate sensitive skin during prolonged contact. Mild liquid dish soaps are less likely to cause irritation for most users.
Toxicity of ingredients
Cleaners with chlorine bleach or phosphates can have negative environmental impacts if waste water finds its way into lakes and streams. Vinegar and baking soda have non-toxic ingredients.
Packaging waste
Single-use wipes and disposable scrub pads create more waste compared to cleaners in recyclable bottles and jars. Refillable containers are also available for some brands.
Biodegradability
Soap-based liquid cleaners and natural vinegars and baking soda degrade rapidly without toxic effects. Some stronger chemical cleaners take longer to break down naturally.
Cost Comparison
The purchase price is another consideration when choosing between different pot and pan cleaners. Here is how the costs stack up:
| Cleaner | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Vinegar | $0.20 per cup |
| Baking soda | $0.05 per tablespoon |
| Bon Ami Powder | $5 per 21 oz |
| Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser | $2 per 12 oz |
| Dawn Power Dissolver | $3 per 16 oz |
| Zep Commercial Purple | $9 per 32 oz |
| Sheila Shine | $7 per 8 oz |
As you can see, baking soda, vinegar, and Bon Ami powder provide the lowest cost options. Commercial liquid cleaners fall in the mid-range, while heavy-duty pastes are the most expensive per ounce.
Conclusion
After reviewing all of these key considerations, Bon Ami Powder emerges as the best overall cleaner for pots and pans. Here’s a quick recap of its benefits:
– Mildly abrasive for safe but effective cleaning
– Removes all types of dirt and stains with minimal scrubbing
– Very simple to use and rinse off
– Non-toxic and biodegradable ingredients
– Low cost for frequent use
For occasional deep-cleaning of burnt-on or discolored gunk, Bar Keepers Friend is also an excellent choice though a bit more abrasive. Vinegar and baking soda provide the safest and least expensive options for more natural cleaning.
The right pot and pan cleaner can save you time and elbow grease while keeping your cookware looking like new. Consider your specific needs and kitchen habits to decide which cleaner is the best match for you. Use the information above to make an informed choice for effortlessly cleaning pots and pans.