How to Clean a Burnt GreenPan (Step-by-Step)

Owning GreenPan non-stick cookware may give you the assumption that nothing will ever stick or burn to it, however, this is not the case. While there are a few preventative care measures that can lessen the chances of oils, fats, and foods from becoming stuck to your non-stick cookware, it will inevitably happen at some point.

Cleaning burnt-on residue from GreenPan cookware can be done in a few easy steps. The interior can be cleaned by heating water in the pan, pouring it out, then wiping it with a gentle Restoring Sponge. The exterior can be cleaned with a baking soda and water solution, followed by white vinegar to lift away any tough stains.

Follow the step-by-step guide on how to clean any residue off of your GreenPan cookware and read on for tips on how to prevent the residue from occurring.

Are GreenPans Non-Stick?

While GreenPan cookware is available in different styles, colors, and models, they are all considered to be non-stick. GreenPan prides itself on its innovative ceramic non-stick coating called Thermolon which is heat safe, making it a non-toxic alternative to conventional non-stick coatings.

Why is my GreenPan Sticking?

Even though all GreenPan cookware is technically non-stick, there are some instances when food items could burn or stick to the pan. It is recommended to use GreenPan cookware at a low to medium heat setting, as an overly hot pan will cause your food to burn to the surface upon contact.

Spray-on oils or oils with a low smoke point are prone to burning and leaving a sticky residue on your pan which then causes other food items to stick to it. GreenPan recommends using high smoke point oils such as avocado oil, peanut oil, or grapeseed oil.

Lastly, frequent use of spray-on oils or numerous scratches can compromise the ceramic non-stick coating’s ability to be fully non-stick. Although GreenPan states that the coating is still safe to cook on with scratches and dents, it does not mean that the non-stick quality will perform as well as it once did.

Do You Need to Season a GreenPan?

Do You Need to Season a GreenPan?

The purpose of seasoning a pan is to essentially bake an oil or fat onto the surface of your cookware (such as cast iron) to make it non-stick. Because GreenPan cookware already has a ceramic non-stick coating, it does not need to be seasoned, however, GreenPan does recommend using a high heat-tolerant oil or butter when cooking to evenly distribute the heat and amplify the cooking ability of the pan.

Can I Wash my GreenPan in the Dishwasher?

GreenPan states on their website that most models of their cookware are dishwasher safe, however, you should refer to the care instructions on the packaging. GreenPan also advises that it is best to hand wash all GreenPan cookware to preserve the quality of the ceramic non-stick coating.

One feature, aside from the non-stick coating, to be mindful of when placing GreenPan cookware in the dishwasher is the handle type. Cookware with stainless steel, silicone, and Bakelite handles are more likely to handle the high heat of a dishwasher along with exposure to water.

GreenPan cookware with wood handles like the Mayflower line may be compromised by exposure to the heat and water of a dishwasher and are best washed by hand.

How to Properly Clean a Burnt GreenPan Interior

  1. Fill the pan halfway with water.
  2. Bring the water to a boil on your stovetop.
  3. Pour the boiling water out.
  4. Placing the pan on a sturdy, heat-safe surface, gently wipe the interior of the pan. To protect the ceramic non-stick coating, use a gentle sponge, like GreenPan’s Restoring Sponge made of melamine, to wipe away any stuck-on residue on the interior of the pan.
  5. Give the exterior of your cookware a final rinse with water and allow it to dry.

How to Properly Clean a Burnt GreenPan Exterior

  1. Mix baking soda with water to create a paste.
  2. Rub the paste onto discolored areas of the cookware’s exterior. For this step, you can use a gentle cloth or dish sponge to apply the paste.
  3. Rinse with white vinegar. You can either rinse the paste away with white vinegar or you can soak a paper towel in white vinegar and lay it over the areas where you have placed the baking soda paste. If the stains are quite stubborn, allow the vinegar-soaked paper towel to sit for a few minutes before wiping them away.
  4. Give the exterior of your cookware a final rinse with water and allow it to dry.

Related Questions

Regular GreenPan Cleaning Methods

For regular cleanings between uses, you should hand wash your GreenPan cookware with a soft sponge and warm, soapy water.

How Long Should a GreenPan Last?

If proper care and use guidelines are followed, your GreenPan cookware should last you many years. GreenPan recommends handwashing their cookware, using silicon, bamboo, wood, or nylon utensils, and cooking at low to medium heat with high smoke point oils and fats to preserve the longevity of your cookware.

Wondering where GreenPan is made? Find out here!

Can I use a GreenPan that is Scratched Up?

Unlike traditional non-stick coatings which are harmful to use if the coating is compromised (the coating bubbles up or is scratched), GreenPan cookware’s ceramic non-stick coating is still safe to use if scratched.

Because it is a ceramic coating that is high-heat tolerant and does not release toxins, the cookware is safe to use even if it becomes scratched, dented, or pitted according to GreenPan’s website.

While GreenPan states that metal utensils can be used on their cookware, gentler options like silicone, bamboo, wood, and nylon are better suited to protecting the integrity of the ceramic non-stick coating.

What is a GreenPan Restoring Sponge and Should I Use One?

The process of oils and fats becoming burnt onto cookware is a normal process that happens over time called carbonization. Because it is inevitable, GreenPan has developed a specific Restoring Sponge made of melamine to easily wet and wipe away any burnt-on oils and fats.

Why Does my GreenPan Smell?

While most GreenPan cookware is oven safe, some models are more durable to high heat exposure over time. Most GreenPan cookware has stainless steel handles making them oven safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Other models of GreenPan cookware have silicone or Bakelite comfort grip handle insulators. They are still oven-safe, however, with a lower temperature tolerance of 320-400 degrees Fahrenheit. GreenPan notes on its website that while some of these models are tolerant of up 320 degrees Fahrenheit, they will start to discolor at 280 degrees Fahrenheit.

Along with discoloration, an odor may develop over time as the silicone or Bakelite becomes compromised by exposure to high oven heat.

GreenPan cookware with wood handles is not oven safe and if it is placed in the oven, the handles will likely become damaged and smell burnt.

Final Thoughts

While it may seem like non-stick cookware should maintain its condition forever by nature of being non-stick, this is not the case with regular use. Over time, the process of carbonization and exposure to high heat can cause food items to stick to the surface of your GreenPan creating a residue. With a little elbow grease, however, your cookware can be restored following the steps outlined in this guide.