You just installed the pot rack or peg board of your dreams and are ready to make all your Julia Child fantasies come to life, mazel! The problem? You need to clean the bottoms of the fry pans. When it comes time to hang all of your trusty cookware, you might notice that the underside of your favorite pans (which are usually relegated to the bottom cabinet) have been scorched and stained within an inch of their lives.
There’s good news: you can likely remove a lot—if not all—of this gunk with one or more of the below methods, which apply to stainless steel, nonstick (which usually have an aluminum or steel base), copper, and most cast-iron pans. Patience is key here—since the marks on the bottom of your pan are likely ones that have been heated and reheated, they’ll be stubborn. But don’t give up hope until you’ve tried scrubbing ‘em clean, and if they still have some scuffs? Consider it a testament to a love of cooking. We sure do!